I use an Applescript that automatically creates my daily journal note from a template
runs via a Reminder
inserts a link into my Calendar
opens todays note in a separate window so it’s visible through out the day
Favourites has a link to my Journals Group; it’s never changed
Notes are in date sequence, so current date is at the top
My journals Planner template is a Pages document
I complete it each morning, and save as .pdf format
A smart rule converts to searchable pdf, and moves it to my Journals Group
Just create a Markdown document using the same placeholders (see screenshot above), then export it via File > Export > As Template…. The placeholders can be also inserted via the contextual menu. No scripting required.
thanks. I have a more extended template also filled with some stuff I’m interested in. I was further interested in DTLow’s complete workflow, as I am using a similar setup.
Here’s sample code to create my journal group and note from a template
Click to see sample code
setDates(current date)
tell application id "DNtp"
set theInbox to preferred import destination
set theJournalGroup to get record with uuid "730091AB-4C2E-4083-BFC3-1E84E8504F0E" in database "FilingCabinet"
set theTemplate to get record with uuid "6EAABF18-DAAD-4B78-8A1D-DF0FDB3611A3"
set theNewFilingGroup to create record with {name:("Journal [🟢" & dddd as string) & "] " & theNextyyyymmdd & " Type-Journal", type:group} in theJournalGroup
set tags of theNewFilingGroup to {"Type-Journal"}
set theLink to get reference URL of theNewFilingGroup
tell application "Calendar"
tell calendar "Devonthink"
make new event at end of events with properties {summary:"Journal", start date:(theNextDate), end date:(theNextDate), allday event:true, url:theLink}
end tell
end tell
set theNewRecord to duplicate record theTemplate to theInbox
set name of theNewRecord to ("tbdJournal [Planner " & dddd as string) & "] " & theNextyyyymmdd
set tags of theNewRecord to {}
set creation date of theNewRecord to theNextDate
set modification date of theNewRecord to theNextDate
end tell
I had an Apple Shortcut that did this too, but it’s for the old DT and I haven’t got around to setting up a replacement (mostly remarking in case someone else already did it and can save me a job ).
Because a life without tinkering is boring and it’s the end of the year and a natural time to think about task management, I’ve been wondering what replicating my entire NotePlan set up in DT would look like
While I’m all in using DEVONthink as my main data archive and research repository, I find that Evernote is better suited for daily journaling. It allows automated daily note creation, cross-machine synchronization of notes, and (to me) better web capture. I then periodically move the Evernote journal and project notes into DEVONthink for serious work.
).
