Living Document Notice
Staged 2026-09-27. Living revisions and interconnected notes live in the Stax Digital Garden.

Spaced Repetition Algorithms and FSRS Intervals in Plain Text

Acquiring complex technical domains requires moving beyond passive reading into active recall governed by mathematically rigorous review intervals. Storing flashcard states in plain-text markdown allows learners to audit their own cognitive retention curves without relying on closed-source SRS software.

FSRS Retention Invariants

  1. Free Spaced Repetition Scheduling: Intervals compute memory stability and difficulty ratings via transparent decay formulas.
  2. Local Card AST Storage: Cards maintain state variables (stability, difficulty, reps, lapses) inside YAML frontmatter blocks.
  3. Graph-Linked Prerequisite Trees: Flashcards link directly to foundational MOC nodes, ensuring conceptual dependencies resolve prior to advanced drills.

Plain-text spaced repetition ensures lifelong skill retention remains entirely under local control.


  • Directus Target: primer-blog
  • Garden Source Reference: MOC - Primer Learning Systems, MOC - Bosun PKM Engine, LOG-1001 - Append-Only Temporal Logs