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date = '2025-07-29T19:14:44Z'
draft = false
title = 'Tools I Use to Start a Paper-Based Zettelkasten'
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If you're thinking about starting a Zettelkasten on paper, the first question that usually comes up is: **“What tools do I need?”**

Good news: you don’t need much. That’s one of the biggest advantages of the Slipbox Method. It’s low-tech, low-maintenance, and high-impact. You don’t need a Notion dashboard, a $500 scanner, or a second monitor. You just need the right **physical tools** and a **system you trust.**

Below, I’ll walk you through exactly what I use to run my analog-first slipbox—and why I chose each tool.

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## 1. Index Cards (The Heart of the System)

The core of any paper Zettelkasten is the humble index card. I use **3x5-inch or A6-sized** cards depending on availability, but the exact size isn’t the most important thing.

What matters is that:
- Each card fits one idea
- It’s easy to handle, scan, and sort
- You enjoy writing on it

**What I use:**
- Oxford Ruled Index Cards (white, 3x5)
- MUJI blank A6 cards when I want unlined flexibility

**Why it works:**  
They’re sturdy, portable, and forgiving. You don’t get intimidated like you might with a blank A4 sheet. One card = one thought[^1].

![Illustration: A stack of 3x5 cards with titles at the top, numbered in the corner, each showing one distinct note.]

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## 2. A Storage Box (Your “Kasten”)

This is your Zettelkasten’s physical home. It needs to do two things:  
1. Hold a growing number of cards  
2. Let you flip through them easily  

You don’t need to spend a fortune. A recipe box works fine. So does a photo organizer.

**What I use:**
- Vintage-style index card drawer from Etsy
- Plastic photo storage case (holds multiple stacks by topic)

**Why it works:**  
Having a dedicated container turns your notes into a physical archive. You’re building something tangible—and flipping through it becomes part of your thinking ritual.

![Illustration: A wooden card drawer slightly open, filled with categorized index cards.]

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## 3. Pens & Pencils (Your Connection to the Page)

You want something that feels comfortable in your hand and encourages deliberate writing. Don’t overthink this. Pick something you enjoy using.

**What I use:**
- Pilot G2 Gel Pens (0.7mm, black)
- Pentel Sharp Mechanical Pencil (for temporary drafts)
- Zebra Mildliners or gray highlighters (for subtle emphasis)

**Why it works:**  
Using tools you enjoy creates ritual. The goal isn’t speed—it’s intention[^2].

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## 4. Card Numbering System

You’ll want to mark every card with a unique ID to keep things traceable and linkable. You can do this digitally (in a log) or manually (by writing numbers in the top corner of each card).

**What I use:**
- Manual numbering system: nested decimals like `12a`, `12a1`, `12a1a`
- A simple index notebook to log what I’ve added

**Why it works:**  
It keeps the structure fluid. You can always insert new ideas between older ones without reorganizing everything.

![Illustration: Card #12a1 referencing 12a and 11/4b in the corner margin.]

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## 5. Optional: Slipbox Index or “Bib Box”

If you’re reading a lot from books, you may want a separate box just for **source references**—also known as a **Bib Box** (short for Bibliography).

**What I use:**
- A second stack of cards organized by source: title, author, key themes
- These link to my literature notes and help with citations later

**Why it works:**  
Keeps source material organized and easy to reference when developing permanent notes[^3].

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## 6. Workspace

This isn’t a tool you buy—it’s a habit you create. I have a small drawer dedicated to my slipbox supplies. That’s it. No apps. No alerts. No friction.

**Why it works:**  
When you reduce the startup cost of thinking, it becomes easier to engage with your ideas. You don’t have to “boot up” anything to begin. Just pull a card and write.

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## Final Thoughts

The tools you use for a paper-based Zettelkasten don’t need to be fancy—but they should feel good in your hands. The goal isn’t to optimize every little piece; it’s to make writing and thinking so simple you actually do it.

Keep it analog. Keep it intentional. And let the slipbox grow—card by card.

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## References

[^1]: Ahrens, Sönke. *How to Take Smart Notes*. CreateSpace, 2017.  
[^2]: Newport, Cal. *Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World*. Grand Central Publishing, 2016.  
[^3]: Luhmann, Niklas. *Communicating with Slip Boxes: An Empirical Account*. Bielefeld University Press, 1992.

