Keeping Notes

Taking Notes Like a Pro in The Setup OS

Whether you’re mapping workflows, gathering client info, or jotting down next steps after a meeting, The Setup OS gives you several flexible ways to take and organize notes, depending on what you need and where you’re working.

Here’s a quick breakdown of your options (and how to decide which one to use):

1. Notes Columns (Custom-Built by Me)

Throughout The Setup OS, you’ll see dedicated “Notes” columns in places where it makes sense - especially in tables where you’re managing a lot of information at once (think: workflow steps, task checklists, or client assets).

These are meant for quick context, reminders, or things you want to remember later - "Check if this step needs a scheduler."

Think of these like digital sticky notes that stay attached to the right row.

Bonus: These notes are always visible in table view, which means no clicking or digging to remember what you were thinking. Just scroll and skim.

2. Notion Comments

You can also use Notion’s built-in comment feature to leave feedback for yourself (or your team, if you’re collaborating).

Just highlight any text or hover over a block and click the speech bubble icon. Then type away.

This is great when:

• You want to flag something for review
• You’re working with a team member and need to ask a question
• You want to “talk to yourself” without changing the content

Pro tip: You can tag teammates here too. Use the @ symbol and they’ll get a notification.

3. Side Peek View (aka Full Page Editing)

For any database item - a task, workflow step, email template, etc. - click the arrow icon to open it in Side Peek or Full Page mode.

Inside, you’ll find the complete template layout with fields, instructions, and editable space. This is the best place for long-form notes or details that don’t fit nicely into a column.

Use this when:

• You’re brainstorming a custom version of an asset
• You need to log meeting notes or SOP details
• You want to add links, lists, or formatted content

Cait Built-In: Many of these pages have pre-built areas for notes, client feedback, or setup instructions - so check before you add something custom.

So... Which One Should You Use?

Here’s the breakdown:

• Use Notes columns for quick thoughts and at-a-glance context
• Use Comments to flag issues, ask questions, or collaborate
• Use Side Peek pages for detailed thinking, SOPs, or customization work

There’s no one-size-fits-all - just the one that works best for how your brain operates.

And yes, you can mix and match.