> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.oystack.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Notes and Citations

> Draft notes, work with citations, and keep research context close while writing in Oystack

# Notes and Citations

Notes in Oystack are where reading turns into usable writing. You can draft inside a collection, keep source material nearby, and manage citations without leaving the workspace.

## What notes are for

Use notes when you want to:

* capture reading notes while reviewing a source
* draft a section of a paper, memo, or proposal
* collect evidence before writing a fuller piece
* keep one line of argument tied to a specific collection

## Creating and editing notes

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a collection">
    Start from the collection that holds the sources you want to work with.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a note">
    Open the **Notes** tab and create a new note for the idea, section, or task
    you want to work on.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write and refine">
    Draft directly in the editor, then revise as your understanding improves.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Working with citations

Oystack keeps citation work close to the note instead of pushing it into a separate workflow.

* Add citations while drafting when a source needs to be referenced directly.
* Review the citation list at the bottom of the note.
* Switch citation styles when you need a different output format.
* Remove citations that no longer belong after a revision.

<Note>
  Citations make drafting easier to defend and easier to clean up later. They do
  not replace your own review of the source.
</Note>

## Using note context while writing

Notes are not isolated pages. They can stay connected to the rest of your research workflow.

* Open chat beside a note to ask grounded follow-up questions while you write.
* Branch out from a selected passage when you want to explore one idea without losing your draft.
* Use the [Writing Assistant](/tools/writing-assistant) to revise highlighted text in place.
* Add visuals from [Making Figures](/tools/making-figures) when a diagram or comparison would help explain the point.

## Keeping notes actionable

If a note is tied to a deadline or follow-up task, add a due date so it stays visible while you work. See [Reminders and due dates](/workspace/reminders-and-due-dates).

## Explore next

* [Hub and collections](/workspace/hub-and-collections)
* [Writing Assistant](/tools/writing-assistant)
* [Reminders and due dates](/workspace/reminders-and-due-dates)