Build a personal wiki in Notion

Notion users can turn a single page into a “personal wiki”—a home base that organizes goals and ongoing projects, then lets them drill into any area in one click. The core idea is simple: build one top-level page in Notion’s sidebar, split it into clear sections (like Notes, Work, Life, and Planning), and nest related subpages underneath each section so everything stays visible at a glance without endless scrolling.

The walkthrough starts by creating a top-level page directly from the sidebar using the New page button, then adding four headline sections with slash commands (e.g., /heading) and arranging those headings into side-by-side columns. Because Notion doesn’t automatically rearrange columns for you, the headings are manually moved using the six-dot handle and aligned with blue layout guides. To keep the layout readable, divider lines are added under each header.

Once the page structure is in place, the next step is creating subpages inside each section. Subpages can be added by typing /page and naming each one, optionally assigning an icon. If the subpage titles are already known, they can be typed in bulk, then converted into real pages by selecting the titles and turning them into pages. Those subpages are then dragged and dropped under the correct column, and their positions can be changed later by moving them again.

With the navigation structure complete, the workflow shifts to filling pages with content. For a faster start, the creator points to Notion templates—either selecting a template from within the page or browsing the template gallery for ready-made personal wiki layouts. The example given uses a reading list skeleton, but the key takeaway is that templates can be customized to match personal needs. The transcript also highlights how Notion’s sidebar toggles reveal nested structure: expanding the top-level page shows subpages, and expanding subpages reveals deeper nesting. Pages can be nested indefinitely, allowing a personal wiki to scale from simple lists to complex systems.

To illustrate that flexibility, the walkthrough names several possible wiki formats: a habit tracker implemented as a database for accountability, a plant tracker for storing details about houseplants, a video game database for tracking games to try with friends, a blog post draft with layout and design, and budget planning. After the content model is chosen, customization options include adding a page icon, cover image, and a quote field; enabling full-width display via the page’s three-dot menu; and pinning the personal wiki to the top of the sidebar by marking it as a favorite.

The end result is a single, clean, organized space for planning and capturing everyday tasks and long-term projects—something meant to reduce mental clutter and make next steps easier, whether that’s planning a hike, saving a recipe, or jotting down a quick to-do.