A Notion database alternative: Markdown files and one Claude Code skill
The writer replaced a Notion database (their reading log) with plain Markdown files. There are Books, Authors and Genres folders, and the frontmatter holds wikilinks. A CLAUDE.md documents the schema, and one Claude Code skill answers filtered views, rollups and multi-step questions on request, such as 'average rating per genre'.
Setup steps
- Make a folder per entity (e.g. Books, Authors, Genres) with one Markdown file per item
- Put fields in YAML frontmatter; link related items with wikilinks
- Write CLAUDE.md describing the schema and rules
- Ask Claude Code to write a skill for filtered, aggregated and multi-step questions
- Ask in one sentence, e.g. 'finished books rated 8+, sorted by rating'
Steps summarized from the original Blog source ↗. Use “Copy” to grab them with the tools and source link, or copy an AI prompt.
How it went
Filtered views, rollups (average rating per genre) and multi-step queries (authors read more than once) all came back as correct tables, and each answer listed the files it read. The writer applies the same pattern to other folders.
Worth knowing
It handled an edge case without being told: books still being read counted toward the book count but not the average rating. Saved Notion views are still nicer if you want fixed columns.
Only what the original source ↗ says, re-read Oct 25, 2026. How we write these
Try it with AI
Paste this into ChatGPT, Claude or your own agent for step-by-step help. Prompt written by AppToBot from this recipe's data, not by the original author. It keeps drafts for your review and asks before anything is sent or paid.
Help me set up this automation using Claude Code + a skill file + Markdown with YAML frontmatter: "A Notion database alternative: Markdown files and one Claude Code skill". Goal: replace Notion databases. How it should work: - Trigger: You ask a question in one sentence - Then: The skill reads CLAUDE.md and walks the Markdown files - Then: Follows wikilinks to group and average - Result: A table answer, with the files it read Setup steps (summarized from the original source): 1. Make a folder per entity (e.g. Books, Authors, Genres) with one Markdown file per item 2. Put fields in YAML frontmatter; link related items with wikilinks 3. Write CLAUDE.md describing the schema and rules 4. Ask Claude Code to write a skill for filtered, aggregated and multi-step questions 5. Ask in one sentence, e.g. 'finished books rated 8+, sorted by rating' Guide me one step at a time. Ask me for anything you need (accounts, sheet or channel names) before you start. Safety rules: - Build and test with sample data first, and show me a sample result before anything goes live. - Keep anything that goes to other people (emails, posts, replies, record updates) as drafts for my review until I say otherwise. - Never send, post, buy, pay, delete or change records without my approval. - Tell me about any cost (paid plans, API usage) before I'd incur it, and help me set a spending limit. - Keep API keys and passwords out of shared docs and chats. - Privacy: Your files stay local; the files Claude reads are sent to Anthropic. Based on: https://www.xda-developers.com/ditched-notion-after-adding-one-file-to-claude-code-setup/
From the source
Tool names link to each official site (opens in a new tab).
Running cost: 💲 Paid plan needed Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan; the source doesn't state the plan or price. No-code How we sort costs
Stack: Claude · Obsidian
Replace an app: AI bots that replace Notion
App vs bot, side by side
| Old app / habit | Bot | |
|---|---|---|
| Tool | Notion | Claude Code skill over Markdown folders, with CLAUDE.md as the schema |
| Monthly cost | Notion subscription (amount not reported) | Claude plan (not reported) |
| Setup | None (already in use) | Not reported · Beginner |
| Your time | Baseline | Not reported |
| Maintenance | Handled by vendor/you as before | Keep frontmatter consistent and update CLAUDE.md when the schema changes. |
| Privacy | Data stays with the app vendor | Your files stay local; the files Claude reads are sent to Anthropic. |
Full comparison
| Replaces | Notion |
|---|---|
| Bot / agent stack | Claude Code skill over Markdown folders, with CLAUDE.md as the schema |
| Monthly cost before | Notion subscription (amount not reported) |
| Monthly cost after | Claude plan (not reported) |
| Setup time | Not reported |
| Time saved | Not reported |
| Skill level | Beginner |
| Reliability | 3/5: firsthand with clear steps and results you can check against the files; no long-term data. |
| Maintenance | Keep frontmatter consistent and update CLAUDE.md when the schema changes. |
| Privacy & data | Your files stay local; the files Claude reads are sent to Anthropic. |
| Best for | People whose Notion databases became too much upkeep |
| Not for | Teams who need a shared database UI |
Pros and cons
Pros
- No views or rollup properties to build
- Plain Markdown files you own
- Each answer lists the files it read
Cons
- Answers are generated each time, so check counts on anything important
- No shared, clickable database for a team
Source and evidence
First-person XDA Developers article (Jul 2026): the writer uses the pattern on their reading log and other folders. Answers show which files were read. No usage period given.
Read the original Blog source ↗
“Not reported” means the source doesn't say. We never fill gaps with guesses. Numbers marked “per author” or “vendor claim” are the source's own and weren't independently tested. Source last checked Oct 25, 2026.
Our rating is an editorial opinion based on the public source above, not lab testing. Spot an error? Request a correction.
Plain-text summary (for search and AI assistants)
A Notion database alternative: Markdown files and one Claude Code skill. Replaces Notion with Claude Code skill over Markdown folders, with CLAUDE.md as the schema. Cost before: Notion subscription (amount not reported). Cost after: Claude plan (not reported). Setup: Not reported, Beginner. Time saved: Not reported. Reliability 3/5: 3/5: firsthand with clear steps and results you can check against the files; no long-term data. Best for: People whose Notion databases became too much upkeep. Not for: Teams who need a shared database UI. How it went (per source): Filtered views, rollups (average rating per genre) and multi-step queries (authors read more than once) all came back as correct tables, and each answer listed the files it read. The writer applies the same pattern to other folders. Worth knowing: It handled an edge case without being told: books still being read counted toward the book count but not the average rating. Saved Notion views are still nicer if you want fixed columns. Source: https://www.xda-developers.com/ditched-notion-after-adding-one-file-to-claude-code-setup/
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