1. Create the four folders
In Documents, create 1 Projects, 2 Areas, 3 Resources and 4 Archives. The numbers keep them in order in File Explorer. Right-click Documents and choose Pin to Quick access so they're one click away.
2. What goes where
- Projects: work with a finish line, one folder each, such as “Kitchen refit” or “Q1 report”.
- Areas: ongoing responsibilities with no end date, such as Finances, Health or Car.
- Resources: reference material and interests, such as recipes, manuals or screenshots.
- Archives: finished projects and anything you're no longer using. Move, don't delete.
3. Treat Downloads as your inbox
Everything new arrives in Downloads or on the Desktop. Once a week, empty them into PARA. Most of it is predictable: invoices go to Areas\Finances, screenshots to Resources, manuals to Resources\Manuals. Project files need your judgement, so leave those for the weekly review.
4. Let rules do the predictable part
TidyFile rules can file the predictable things the moment they arrive: anything named invoice or receipt into 2 Areas\Finances\Invoices\2026, screenshots into 3 Resources\Screenshots. Your weekly review shrinks to the files that actually need a decision. Our invoices guide covers that rule in more detail.
The TidyFile rule
Invoices into PARA
- When a file
- in Downloads · name contains invoice, receipt or inv
- Then
- move to Documents\2 Areas\Finances\Invoices\{year}
Tip: folders like Documents or Pictures mean your own folders. In TidyFile, click Browse to pick the folder, then add the rest, such as \{year}. A folder typed without a drive letter is created inside the watched folder instead.
Set it up once and TidyFile applies it in the background, to new files the moment they arrive. Preview what it'll do to the files already there, and undo anything from the activity log.
Questions
What is the PARA method?+
A way of organizing information into four top-level folders, created by productivity writer Tiago Forte: Projects (things with a deadline), Areas (ongoing responsibilities), Resources (topics you're interested in) and Archives (anything no longer active).
Why number the PARA folders?+
File Explorer sorts folders alphabetically, which would put Archives first. Numbering them 1 to 4 keeps them in PARA order.
Can PARA work alongside OneDrive?+
Yes. Create the four folders inside OneDrive\Documents instead of Documents and they sync like anything else. Rules can file into them the same way.