# Scrintal’s Philosophy and Roadmap

> Some users were asking these questions with a genuine interest in Scrintal, while some were surprised.

- Address: https://scrintal.com/blog/scrintals-philosophy-and-roadmap
- Blog post by Ece Kural, published by Scrintal
- Published: 2023-09-27
- Updated: 2024-03-18
- Topics: Tools for Thought, Startup, Knowledge Management, Visual Thinking, Product

> “Why is there no project view in Scrintal?”

> “Why is this app so unconventional?”

I heard it all!

Some users were asking these questions with a genuine interest in [Scrintal](https://scrintal.com/), while some were surprised. After endless conversations on the main idea and the design decisions behind Scrintal, I knew I couldn’t postpone writing this article further. I’ll explain the driving force behind Scrintal to the best of my ability and give context to our roadmap.

![](https://scrintal.com/__l5e/assets-v1/0d392cc2-9202-4c5d-9bab-92eb079df541/scrintals-philosophy-and-roadmap-1.webp)

## Scrintal Philosophy

[Scrintal](https://scrintal.com/) is in between a digital canvas and a networked note-taking tool. This in-betweenness creates a duality. Visual and note-taking tools are built on different needs, product philosophies, and principles. Visual tools usually focus on the first steps of the knowledge work, where one needs to think freely and sometimes even collaborate with others. The resulting work is usually a means to an end and thus can be temporary and disregarded.

In contrast, the (networked) note-taking tools are all about building your archive, for some, even a mental palace. The aim is to create structured, lasting knowledge that is reusable, findable, and searchable. We can describe the discrepancy between visual and networked note-taking tools as temporality vs. permanence. And this underlying aspect changes every decision in these tools.

As per Scrintal, we wanted the users to create permanent artifacts. However, to generate long-living and well-thought artifacts, we knew that a knowledge worker transitions between brainstorming and idea development numerous times in an hour. We hypothesized that the perfect tool was the one that gives the user the freedom to ideate creatively and then the one that offers the means to structure. Even at the ideation stage of Scrintal, we situated ourselves in between the two worlds. Having our foot in two different places made designing Scrintal quite a challenge. Writing down some of the early decisions and making them the guiding stars helped us even from the early days. So here are some of the early decisions we made to navigate the complex problem of being a tool between visual and note-taking tools.

![Scrintal is in between a digital canvas and a networked note-taking tool](https://scrintal.com/__l5e/assets-v1/e5afd234-5b49-415f-8a05-625f0f45be6f/scrintals-philosophy-and-roadmap-2.webp)

*Scrintal is in between a digital canvas and a networked note-taking tool*

### 1. Our building blocks are Cards

Scrintal’s main building blocks are cards. Cards are atomic entities. They should contain the smallest unit of meaningful information. They embody the principle of granularity. This atomic nature ensures that each card is a self-contained entity carrying discrete information.

By design, we craft cards to distill complexity into simplicity. They serve as vessels for ideas or concepts, allowing users to focus on individual elements without becoming overwhelmed by abundant information. We created this deliberate granularity so that when we place cards on a canvas, we can have the [overview effect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_effect).

![Cards are the building blocks in Scrintal](https://scrintal.com/__l5e/assets-v1/329b0525-8e08-4ca0-8b8e-0e1f3ac4e556/scrintals-philosophy-and-roadmap-3.webp)

*Cards are the building blocks in Scrintal*

The atomicity of cards enables the breaking down of more significant sums of information into manageable components. This modular approach enables a more systematic and organized flow. One can tackle one card at a time, ensuring that each aspect is thoroughly addressed.

We were inspired by Niklas Luhmann’s Zettelkasten method when we decided to emphasize the smallest unit of meaningful information. Each card represents a crucial piece of the giant puzzle. We were often asked if Scrintal would allow linking text blocks within cards. Based on our original idea, if a text block is so meaningful that it requires linking with another element, it can also be a card in itself, and we can link the cards.

### 2. Cards are Permanent Elements

The output created in Scrintal should be long-lasting, reusable, searchable, and easily resurfaceable. We intended permanence as the primary output criterion in Scrintal. Contrary to the visual tools, the permanence principle is why Scrintal has one global archive. No matter where you are in the app, the users can search globally and reach the cards they created.

Reusability is a fundamental card characteristic in Scrintal. Each card is crafted with the intention that it can be repurposed and integrated into various boards, meaning contexts, and projects. This approach is fundamentally different from visual tools that prioritize temporary creation.

![Cards are searchable and reusable](https://scrintal.com/__l5e/assets-v1/0a254352-f3d7-4dcb-bab5-a76aa5f14209/scrintals-philosophy-and-roadmap-4.webp)

*Cards are searchable and reusable*

### 3. Cards are single entities and can exist across multiple places

As reusability is at the heart of Scrintal, we focused on the ability to reuse the cards across multiple contexts. Creating duplicates of the cards was contradictory to the reusability principle. In that case, one would make copies, and the archive would clutter. Instead, we focused on keeping the cards as single entities, and one can bring them back from their archive whenever they fit into a new board.

In this context, the archive serves as a repository of cards temporarily set aside but remains readily accessible for future use. This archive is not a stagnant storage space but a dynamic reservoir of potential ideas, tasks, and information. We wanted to emphasize in our design that users should have the flexibility to retrieve cards from their archive at any time, seamlessly reintegrating them into a new board whenever they align with the evolving objectives.

![Bringing cards back from Scrintal archive](https://scrintal.com/__l5e/assets-v1/844133c7-4272-4b98-95f8-a6b44c2f2d71/scrintals-philosophy-and-roadmap-5.mp4)

*Bringing cards back from Scrintal archive*

This architecture not only encourages a clutter-free environment but also promotes a more deliberate and considered approach to content management. It fosters a mindset of mindful curation, where each card is valued for its unique contribution rather than being duplicated indiscriminately.

### 4. One global Archive

The cards’ singularity, permanence, and reusability necessitated a global Archive. Reusability in practice means that one card can take place across endless boards. When this is the case, would we ever need folders? Our answer from day one was “no.” Folders help create context-based compartments. However, one piece of information can be helpful across multiple contexts. That’s why we focused on the piece of information, the card, and allowed for *tagging* cards with different tags. Cards’ multiple tags mean that cards can appear across different contexts when searched, which helps the reusability principle.

This tagging system goes beyond mere categorization; it embodies a shift in how we conceptualize and utilize information. It liberates cards from the constraints of predefined folders, granting them the freedom to traverse and contribute to a wide array of contexts. Tagging enhances the efficiency of information retrieval and fosters a more holistic and interconnected approach to knowledge management.

![Scrintal’s global archive](https://scrintal.com/__l5e/assets-v1/cf637e2e-bc84-4499-b4f1-8c0ba55c5848/scrintals-philosophy-and-roadmap-6.mp4)

*Scrintal’s global archive*

### 5. Links are inherent properties of Cards

Our heavy emphasis on the building block of cards and reusability led us to consider the dynamic relationships that cards can establish. The bidirectional links, in particular, represent a profound extension of this principle. They enable cards to form intricate networks of interconnectivity, transcending linear or one-dimensional associations. Cards’ having links means that a card is not merely a standalone entity but a node within a web of interconnected ideas and concepts.

These bidirectional links facilitate a seamless flow of information, allowing users to effortlessly navigate between related cards, gaining deeper insights and context along the way. It empowers users to establish complex relationships between concepts, foster brainstorming sessions, and unlock new perspectives on their projects. This interconnectedness mirrors how our thoughts and ideas naturally flow, creating a more intuitive and immersive user experience.

![Scrintal visual links](https://scrintal.com/__l5e/assets-v1/a4345a54-28ba-4b09-a53c-8e841b8eadba/scrintals-philosophy-and-roadmap-7.mp4)

*Scrintal visual links*

Furthermore, the bidirectional links also contribute to the resurfacing of information. Cards are not confined to static positions within a board; they can resurface dynamically based on their interrelationships. Linked cards mean that relevant cards can reemerge organically, offering timely reminders, insights, and opportunities for further exploration.

We wanted to keep the same principle of linking even when the linking is done visually on the canvas. Scrintal has two ways to connect different elements: by visually linking and in-text linking. Our innovative tweak on visual links is that they are also displayed in cards as bidirectional links and are inherent properties of cards. An approach that shows Scrintal is in between the worlds of visual and networked note-taking tools.

## Scrintal Roadmap

As an early-stage startup and a product, we are against building detailed roadmaps spanning the next few years. Instead, we are using a different approach. We have a vision — check [why we build Scrintal](https://scrintal.com/blog/why-we-build-scrintal) — and the whole team continuously writes product pitches on what they believe needs to be in the product. Every six weeks, we meet up and democratically vote on these pitches. We are, in essence, using [Basecamp’s Shape Up methodology](https://basecamp.com/shapeup). This method allows us to focus on the features we are developing and to critically approach our product decisions rather than building a static idea and following it.

However, of course, we have a couple of sneak peeks we can provide and features we decided to go in the following six-week product cycles.

The first one is already ready; we are testing as a team. It’s Scrintal AI ✨ Here, our primary focus has been on enabling the creation of separate cards from a single one, a boon for those struggling to keep their notes concise. Additionally, we’ve made it seamless to distill multiple cards into a single summary card. An AI-generated summary card is precious for individuals who view their boards as complete blog posts, chapters, reports, etc. We’re opening this up for testing to a group of early-access testers!

[Watch the video on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YI1rBArsCw)

Apart from AI, now we are focusing on highly requested ReadWise integration. The integration will allow the users to bring their captured ideas and information to Scrintal. As an early hint, I can say that we’re researching innovative ways for doing this integration 😉

Next on our agenda is the comprehensive overhaul of the text editor. Scrintal is committed to providing an experience that is visually advanced and offers robust and versatile text capabilities.

We also understand that it is essential for Scrintal to fit into the broader tool ecosystem. That’s why we will have the Public API project on our tables in the future. This forward-looking agenda item shows our commitment to ensuring that Scrintal not only stands as a powerful standalone platform but also harmoniously interfaces with a wide array of external tools and applications.

👾🕹️👾 You choose what’s next:

\[1\] Check out what we’re building — [Scrintal](https://scrintal.com/)

\[2\] Aligned with our purpose? We’re hiring, [Join our Team](https://careers.scrintal.com/) ✨

\[3\] Follow our updates on [X](https://twitter.com/scrintal)

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Scrintal (https://scrintal.com) is a visual note-taking and research app. All pages and articles: https://scrintal.com/llms.txt