Unleashing the Power of Tana Commands and AI enhanced Workflows.

The fusion of automation and artificial intelligence in recent months has prefigured a new era of innovation and productivity. Groundbreaking AI tools like Github’s Copilot and Chat GPT have enabled designers to create the apps they have always envisioned, while authors can now independently publish podcasts and audiobooks in multiple languages at a fraction of the previous cost. This revolution marks the true emancipation of the Creator Economy, where the right tools and knowledge empower individuals to reach unprecedented heights.

In the midst of this transformation, AI integrations in note-taking apps have begun to emerge.

Who would have expected Tana to lead the way in delivering a brilliantly modular integration, surpassing others such as Notion? Tana’s approach is truly exceptional, so yes, I expected it. Did I expect a mind-blowing integration from the get-go? Hell no.

Tana Commands and Tana AI’s integration with OpenAI not only establishes a new benchmark for AI integration in note-taking apps but also positions Tana as a pioneer in the realm of productivity tools and workflow management.

By offering users the ability to access and utilize advanced AI capabilities within the different views and workflows through revolutionary tools like the Prompt Workbench, AI Fields, and the Make API Request commands, Tana AI has unlocked a world of innovation and creativity. This transformative approach will redefine the future of the PKM landscape, empowering users to harness the power of AI like never before.

Tana Commands though, are the building blocks that allow users to create really powerful, automated workflows within Tana.

These commands can be executed either through buttons or the command line, providing a versatile and customizable user experience. Most actions that can be performed manually within Tana can also be automated using Tana Commands, significantly improving your efficiency and productivity.

Setting up Tana Commands

To set up Tana Commands, you must first create a command node by running the “Convert to command node” command on a node with no supertags or children. Next, you can choose the desired actions for your command by selecting from a range of system commands.

These actions can be further configured by adjusting the settings using parameters. This level of granular control over command actions ensures a tailored and streamlined user experience.

Understanding Command Actions and Parameters

Tana Commands consist of various actions, such as setting field values, cloning nodes, set view types, make API requests, adding and removing tags amongst others. These actions form the core of what Tana Commands can do, and their combination allows for the creation of tailored and powerful workflows.

Within each action, there are numerous parameters that can be adjusted to modify the behaviour of the command.

For example, my ‘Throw to Library’ command helps me keep my Day Node clean and everything organised in the Library of my workspace. It consists of a simple Move Node action with two parameters: the Target Node, which selects where the node should be moved, and the Remove Reference option parameter, which ensures that the reference to the node I just moved to my Library is deleted.

Once the command has been set up, it can be executed from the command line by typing its name. Alternatively, you can add commands as buttons to any node by running the “Configure node” command. This allows for a more visually accessible and intuitive way to interact with Tana Commands from anywhere.

Using Tana Commands with Supertags and Fields

Tana Commands can also be integrated with supertags and fields to expand their functionality and versatility. To do this, you can add a command to a supertag or field using the Advanced panel, ensuring that the button appears anywhere a tagged node or node with that field is present. This level of customization is particularly useful for managing complex projects and workflows.

By using the “Node Filter” parameter, you can use search expressions to regulate when the button is displayed, which I find a super neat first version of the IF variables we have been all waiting for.

This enables you to create workflows like the one below, where you have two buttons: “Change Task Status to In Progress” and “Change Task Status to Done.” By using the node-filter, we can instruct the first command to be visible only when the task status is “In Backlog,” and the second command to be visible only when the status is “In Progress”.

Combining Commands for Complex Workflows

In Studio OS, the “Task for Member” command is an excellent example of how to select multiple user commands and execute them simultaneously. This functionality allows you to assign tasks to the appropriate team member, move the status to “In Progress,” and set the correct context all at once. Such a streamlined process not only enhances productivity but also provides a seamless user experience within the platform.

The node filter parameter is so powerful that it also enables you to create a single button to perform multiple functions. The “Bring Task Status Forward” command in the screenshot below, is a prime display of this capability, as it consists of various other commands that are triggered based on the task status using node-filter.

It is crucial for me to use this command in conjunction with the two buttons we’ve seen earlier (“Change Task Status to In Progress” and “Change Task Status to Done”). To achieve this, a node-filter is applied to all other commands, which keeps the “forward” command hidden when the status is “In Backlog” or “In Progress.”

This is because the existing commands workflow already sets the status to in progress and subsequently to done. The “forward” command should be displayed only when the Task status is either “Waiting for Feedback” or “Someday,” with specific actions being performed accordingly. For instance, when the status is “Waiting for Feedback,” the task should move to “In Progress,” and when it is “Someday,” the task status should be moved to “In Backlog.”

Integrating AI and API Calls with Tana Commands

A particularly powerful aspect of the latest Tana release is the ability to integrate AI and API calls within Tana Commands. By using the Ask AI system command, you can directly interface with GPT3.5 and GPT4 APIs (depending on individual preferences) through your own OpenAI API key. This integration unlocks a world of possibilities and certainly deserves its own dedicated exploration, perhaps even a workshop.

Having built with Tana AI for over a month now, I have seen firsthand the incredible capabilities of this platform, with numerous examples contained within Studio OS. Just look at a couple of them below:

As a result, I am excited to announce the launch of my first workshop, exclusively dedicated to Tana Commands & Tana AI. Scheduled for Monday, May 22th at 5PM CET, the live cohort-based workshop will be conducted via Zoom, with access available for everyone after the event concludes. The 3-hour workshop, featuring a 15-minute break, is designed to elevate participants to PRO levels with Commands and AI. Attendees will learn to create both simple and complex workflows involving AI, API requests, and Commands to achieve crazy results, similar if not more powerful to those demonstrated in Studio OS. The only limit is your imagination.

For Tana Nodes subscribers, I have reserved 5 spots at the entry price of $37 (All gone!). Once these spots are filled, the price will increase to $47. To ensure that the material remains updated and relevant, participants will also gain access to a dedicated section of the Tana Nodes community on Discord, where you will find the recorded workshop and, where needed, I will provide updates on a daily basis.

Edit: Spots above are all gone. You can still sign-up from https://live.tananodes.com