Digital Scratchpads: Capture Ideas Instantly – Yabai, Antinote, Sidenotes

Some of my favorite ideas have shown up when I least expect it. I’ve tested so many different ways to capture those quick, fleeting thoughts and have come up with different systems to help me with that, depending on where I’m at or what I’m working on in the moment. A critical part for me in this system is digital scratchpads, especially when used for notetaking, and I’m excited to share some tools that I use for this!

If you care about creativity, personal knowledge management, or just want to keep your mind clear for better productivity, having a reliable way to capture thoughts instantly is non-negotiable. Quick scratchpad notes give you a space to jot things down the moment inspiration strikes—no more hoping you’ll remember that idea later. It’s not just about dumping notes; it’s about giving your brain room to breathe, letting ideas develop, and creating a feedback loop between your thoughts and your tools. Apps like Yabai, Sidenotes, and Antinote make this process smoother, whether you’re working across multiple workspaces or just need a fast way to get things out of your head.

The real magic isn’t in chasing the “perfect” app, but in building a habit of staying alert and giving your ideas a place to land. A simple scratchpad note can become the starting point for bigger projects, personal insights, or just a quieter mind. I hope this video helps you develop your own capture systems!

Links to all apps and resources mentioned:
https://by.afadingthought.com/digital...

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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Why Quick Capture Matters
00:25 What Is a Digital Scratchpad?
01:37 Yabai Scratchpads and Bear
04:14 Side Notes and Menu Bar Apps
05:34 Antinote: A Minimal, Flexible Scratchpad
06:39 Other Antinote Features
08:00 ScrapNote: A Free Scratchpad Option
08:56 Wrapping Up: Building Your Capture System

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