Hi, I just wanted to share my use case of DT/DTTG, Readwise Reader and Bear notes.
For PDF reading and annotating I mostly use DT & DTTG, but I’ve been using Readwise Reader for some months as a read it later / annotating tool, mainly for webpages, newsletters and Youtube.
The main objective is:
- Read/watch.
- Reflect on the content.
- Save a note with a summary, highlighted content and notes, and link to the original/annotated content.
Before Readwise, I had a clunky process that printed the page or email to PDF, but the result was generally not good. And I didn’t have any solution to Youtube videos, just watch and take notes on the side.
➜ My new process is as follows:
- Use Reader to highlight and process articles. I also add some GPT-generated notes, mainly custom summaries. When ready, I move it to the Shortlist ★.
- Shift+Option+C → Copy Markdown to clipboard will generate markdown with my highlights and notes. The markdown export function uses a template you can customize to your liking. You can also find this option in the “Document” tab on the right side panel—just click on “Export” at the bottom.
- Set up new Bear note and paste the markdown content. I actually built a brief Shortcut that automates this step, and adds some metadata I use on my notes such as the context tag.
- Shift+L → Copy READER URL and paste it on the Bear note, to link to the processed article within Reader. (Haven’t figured out how to do this automatically in step 2)
- ⌘+P Print with Annotations to DT. Sort it to an appropriate group, get the DT link to the file, and add it to the Bear note.
I can follow these steps on mobile if necessary, but normally I run step 1 on iPad / iPhone, and the rest at my desk.
Caveat: Reader’s highlighted text is not a “proper” PDF highlight, so Devonthink or Preview can’t do anything with it.
Hope it helps!