Kick-Off Session: Supercharge Your Search By Mastering Logseq Queries

Questions & Help Queries
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In the August query sprint, there will be two live lectures. The first lecture was a crash course into note structures, boolean logic, and queries.

Watch the full replay on YouTube:

What are Logseq queries?

  • Query = request for information.
  • Query language = (simple) computer language to request information from a collection of notes (a database).

Why learn to write queries?

  • Quickly and precisely search your notes.
  • Understand best practices for structuring your notes.
  • Power workflows to use and expand your notes collection.

The basic structure of your notes

  • Blocks and branches

    • Logseq is an outliner, which helps you to structure your thoughts in a tree-like structure.
      • Leaves = individual bullets (blocks).
      • Branches = collections of (nested) blocks.
    • In Logseq, every bullet is a block.
      • The smallest unit of knowledge is the block.
      • In other apps the smallest unit is the page.
    • Blocks can be combined in branches or on pages (folders in other apps).
      • Pages are nothing more than collections of blocks.
    • By indenting blocks (using Tab ) you create relationships; parent-child and sibling relationships.
      • Parent blocks have one or more blocks nested underneath.
      • Sibling blocks have other blocks on the same indentation level.
        parent-child-example-letters_1641572097841_0

  • Links

    • Links with [[square brackets]] or #hashtags point to pages.
    • Because of bi-directional links (linked references), pages are entry points into your notes.
    • Links are the most important search terms for queries.

Think like a computer using Boolean logic

  • The fundamentals of Boolean logic

    • AND
    • OR
    • NOT

  • Other places where you use Boolean logic

    • Linked references
    • Other websites
      • Filter options on product websites

How to search your notes using filters and links

  • Basic filters

    • AND
    • OR
    • NOT

  • Combining filters

    • Use nested operations to build complex queries

How to power your workflows using properties and variables

  • Templates

    • Consistent structure
    • Dynamic variables

  • Logseq-specific filters

    • Built-in properties
    • Custom properties

What we’ll be building next week

Challenge 1: Build a dynamic notes index

  • Pull together related notes in one view.

Challenge 2: Build a content consumption pipeline

  • Structurally work through knowledge to gain insights.
  • Intake highlights and notes from Readwise.

Challenge 3: Build a content creation pipeline

  • Turn your notes into insights for your future self and others.

Challenge 4: Build a project management dashboard

  • Keep track of every piece of knowledge that needs your attention at some point.
  • Keep track of action points for individual projects.

Challenge 5: Build a personal learning system

  • Leverage your notes to feed your first brain.
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