Notion Synthesize Command

Create synthesis documents that combine and integrate multiple knowledge sources following the SECI Combination phase.

Your Task

Read multiple source files and create a unified synthesis document that:

• Identifies common themes across sources
• Highlights contradictions and tensions
• Produces integrated understanding
• Notes gaps in collective knowledge

Process

1. Gather Sources

Read all provided files using the Read tool. For each source:

• Note the main topic/theme
• Identify key points and claims
• Track the source for attribution

If glob patterns are used (e.g., docs/*.md), read all matching files.

2. Analyze Across Sources

Identify Themes:

• What topics appear in multiple sources?
• What concepts are defined differently?
• Where do sources reinforce each other?

Find Contradictions:

• Do sources disagree on any points?
• Are there conflicting recommendations?
• Note the nature of disagreement

Spot Gaps:

• What's mentioned but not explained?
• What questions remain unanswered?
• What topics need further exploration?

3. Create Synthesis Document

Structure the output as:

# {Synthesis Topic}: Integrated View

## Purpose
{Why this synthesis was needed}

## Sources Synthesized
| Source | Type | Key Contribution |
|--------|------|------------------|
| {File 1} | {Type} | {Main contribution} |
| {File 2} | {Type} | {Main contribution} |

## Executive Summary
{3-5 sentences capturing the integrated understanding}

## Key Themes

### Theme 1: {Name}
{Integrated understanding combining multiple sources}

**Evidence:**
- From {Source 1}: {Quote or finding}
- From {Source 2}: {Supporting or contrasting point}

**Synthesis:** {Your integrated interpretation}

### Theme 2: {Name}
{Integrated understanding}

**Evidence:**
- From {Source 1}: {Quote or finding}
- From {Source 3}: {Supporting or contrasting point}

**Synthesis:** {Your integrated interpretation}

## Contradictions & Tensions

### {Topic of Disagreement}
| View A ({Source}) | View B ({Source}) |
|-------------------|-------------------|
| {Position} | {Position} |

**Analysis:** {How to think about this disagreement}
**Recommendation:** {Which view to favor, or how to reconcile}

## Identified Gaps

### Gap 1: {Topic}
**What's missing:** {Description}
**Why it matters:** {Impact}
**Suggested action:** {How to fill the gap}

### Gap 2: {Topic}
**What's missing:** {Description}
**Why it matters:** {Impact}
**Suggested action:** {How to fill the gap}

## Implications
{What does this synthesis mean for decision-making or action?}

## Recommended Next Steps
- [ ] {Action based on synthesis}
- [ ] {Gap to fill}
- [ ] {Decision to make}

## Knowledge Graph Updates
Suggested relations to create in Notion:
- {Source 1} ↔ {Source 2} (relationship: {type})
- {New concept} → {Existing concept}

---
**Synthesis metadata:**
- Created: {Date}
- SECI Phase: Combination
- Sources: {Count} documents
- Themes identified: {Count}
- Gaps found: {Count}

4. Write Output

Write the synthesis to:

• Specified --output path if provided
• Otherwise: synthesis-{topic}-{date}.md in current directory

5. Provide Summary

After creating the file, report:

• Number of sources synthesized
• Key themes discovered
• Major contradictions found
• Critical gaps identified
• Recommended PARA placement

Example Usage

/notion:synthesize docs/auth-*.md --output docs/auth-synthesis.md
→ Synthesizes all auth-related docs into unified view

/notion:synthesize meeting-notes.md research.md competitor-analysis.md
→ Creates synthesis combining three sources

/notion:synthesize "docs/product-direction/**/*.md"
→ Synthesizes entire product direction folder

Synthesis Quality Criteria

Ensure the output:

• Preserves key information from all sources
• Clearly attributes claims to sources
• Identifies non-obvious connections
• Honestly represents contradictions
• Provides actionable insights
• Suggests knowledge graph relations
• Tags SECI phase as "Combination"

Advanced Patterns

Comparative Synthesis

When sources describe similar things (e.g., competitors, options):

• Create comparison tables
• Highlight differentiating factors
• Provide decision framework

Chronological Synthesis

When sources span time (e.g., meeting notes, updates):

• Create timeline view
• Track evolution of thinking
• Note decisions and their context

Hierarchical Synthesis

When sources have different abstraction levels:

• Organize by specificity
• Link detailed to overview content
• Create navigation aids