googlicius/obsidian-steward/flashcard

Flashcard Skill

This skill enables you to create and edit flashcards for spaced repetition learning. Flashcards are stored in markdown files with specific formatting rules.

Flashcard Structure

Flashcards can be defined in two styles:

Single-Line Style

A single-line flashcard uses :: or ::: as separators:

• Question :: Answer — Standard flashcard (question on front)
• Question ::: Answer — Reversed flashcard (both sides can be swapped)

Examples:

What is the capital of France? :: Paris
 
 
The process of photosynthesis ::: Plants converting light energy into chemical energy

Multiple-Line Style

A multiple-line flashcard uses ? or ?? as separators:

Standard flashcard (`?`):

What are the three types of rock?
?
Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic

Reversed flashcard (`??`):

The Pythagorean theorem
??
a² + b² = c² in a right triangle

Desk Organization

Flashcards must always belong to a desk, indicated by tags prefixed with #flashcards:

Desk Tags

• #flashcards/Math — All math flashcards
• #flashcards/Math/Addition — Specific topic within math
• #flashcards/History/WorldWar2 — Multi-level desk hierarchy

Example:

#flashcards/Math/Addition
 
What is 2 + 2? :: 4
 
 
What is 15 + 27? :: 42
 
 
#flashcards/Math/Subtraction
 
What is 10 - 3? :: 7
 
 
What is 50 - 18? :: 32

Rules for Desk Tags

• Every flashcard must be below a desk tag (prefixed with #flashcards)
• Desk tags can have hierarchical paths using / separator
• All flashcards between one desk tag and the next (or end of file) belong to that desk

Sequential Review with @start/@end Markers

For flashcards that need to be reviewed in a specific order, use @start and @end markers:

Syntax

@start <Description>
 
Question 1 :: Answer 1
 
 
Question 2 :: Answer 2
 
 
Question 3 :: Answer 3
 
@end

• The @start marker must include a description
• Flashcards between @start and @end are always reviewed in sequence
• Sequential groups must still be under a desk tag

Example:

#flashcards/Spanish/Verbs
 
@start Present tense conjugation of "hablar"
 
yo :: hablo
 
 
tú :: hablas
 
 
él/ella :: habla
 
 
nosotros :: hablamos
 
@end
 
 
Regular flashcard outside sequence :: Answer

Formatting Rules

Critical Rules

1. Flashcards cannot contain empty lines — A flashcard ends at the first empty line
2. Flashcards are separated by 2 empty lines — This creates clear boundaries between cards
3. Desk tags required — All flashcards must be below a #flashcards/ tag
4. Sequential groups — Use @start <Description> and @end for ordered review

Valid Flashcard Examples

#flashcards/Biology
 
What is DNA? :: Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information
 
 
What is RNA?
?
Ribonucleic acid, involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation
 
 
@start Cell organelles and functions
 
Mitochondria :: Powerhouse of the cell, produces ATP
 
 
Nucleus :: Contains genetic material and controls cell activities
 
 
Ribosome :: Protein synthesis
 
@end

Invalid Examples

❌ Missing desk tag:

What is 2 + 2? :: 4

❌ Empty line within flashcard:

#flashcards/Math
 
What is the Pythagorean theorem?
 
:: a² + b² = c²

❌ Only one empty line between flashcards:

#flashcards/History
 
Question 1 :: Answer 1
 
Question 2 :: Answer 2

✅ Correct format:

#flashcards/History
 
Question 1 :: Answer 1
 
 
Question 2 :: Answer 2

Creating Flashcards

When creating flashcards for users:

1. Identify or create appropriate desk tags based on the subject matter
2. Choose the right style — Use single-line for short Q&A, multiple-line for longer content
3. Use reversed style (`:::` or `??`) when both directions make sense (e.g., definitions, translations)
4. Group sequential content with @start/@end when order matters (e.g., conjugations, steps in a process)
5. Respect spacing — No empty lines in cards, exactly 2 empty lines between cards

Example: Complete Flashcard File

# Spanish Vocabulary
 
#flashcards/Spanish/Greetings
 
Hello :: Hola
 
Goodbye :: Adiós
 
Please ::: Por favor
 
#flashcards/Spanish/Verbs
 
@start Present tense - estar (to be)
 
yo :: estoy
 
tú :: estás
 
él/ella :: está
 
nosotros :: estamos
 
@end
 
What is the past tense of "ir"?
?
Fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fueron
 
#flashcards/Spanish/Numbers
 
One to ten in Spanish
?
Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez

Rules Summary

• ✅ Always use desk tags prefixed with #flashcards/
• ✅ Separate flashcards with exactly 2 empty lines
• ✅ No empty lines within a flashcard
• ✅ Use :: for standard, ::: for reversed single-line cards
• ✅ Use ? for standard, ?? for reversed multiple-line cards
• ✅ Use @start <Description> and @end for sequential review
• ✅ The @start marker must always include a description