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Guide · Open source

How to use til: browse the Today I Learned notes

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

The til repository by jbranchaud is a collection of short "Today I Learned" notes, each covering one small tip or fact about a language or tool. This guide shows you how the repository is organized, how to find a note on a topic you care about, and how to decide whether the notes fit what you are trying to learn. Nothing needs to be installed; you read the notes online.

TILjbranchaud/til · ★ 14.2k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Open the repository. Go to the jbranchaud/til page on GitHub. No installation is needed because the notes are read online.
  2. 2Scan the categories. Use the Categories list in the README to find the topic that matches your tools, such as Git, Vim, or CSS.
  3. 3Jump to your topic. Click the category link to move to its section, which lists the notes for that topic by title.
  4. 4Open a note. Click a title to read one short note, which covers a single tip or fact.
  5. 5Try the tip. Apply the example to your own work or environment, and keep notes of what helped.
  6. 6Keep browsing. Move to other titles or categories to build up a set of small techniques over time.

What the til repository is

The README describes the project as a collection of concise write-ups on small things the author learns day to day across many languages and technologies. The notes are meant for things that do not warrant a full blog post.

Each note covers a single small idea. The repository is a set of notes, not a software application or library, so there is nothing to run or configure.

  • Type: a collection of short notes, not an app or library
  • Licence: MIT
  • Install method listed: read online
  • Prerequisites listed: none

Find a topic in the category list

The README has a Categories section listing the topics covered, in alphabetical order. Examples include Git, Vim, Neovim, CSS, Clojure, AWS, Bash, Docker, PostgreSQL, Python, and tmux.

Each category name in the list links to its section further down the README, where the notes for that topic are listed with their titles. Start with the category for the tool you already use.

  • Open the README on the repository page
  • Scroll to the Categories section or use the category links
  • Pick the topic you use day to day, such as Git or Vim

Read a note

Each entry in a category is a titled link. Titles are short and describe the tip, for example a note about case-insensitive search under Ack or a note about listing file types.

Each link points to a separate Markdown file stored in a folder named after its topic. Clicking a title opens that single note, so you read one tip at a time.

  • Read the title first to judge whether the tip is relevant
  • Open the note and apply the example to your own work
  • Move on to the next title in the same category to build on it

Use the notes to learn keyboard and command-line tricks

The README lists many entries on shell and editor shortcuts, including categories such as Bash, Zsh, Vim, Neovim, tmux, Kitty, and Chrome. These are a good fit if you work in a terminal or editor and want to pick up small time-savers.

Because each note is short, a practical approach is to scan one category, try one or two tips in your own setup, and come back later for more.

  • Scan one category, such as Vim or tmux, for a few minutes
  • Try one tip in your own environment
  • Return later for the next set of notes

Stay up to date with new notes

The README links to a newsletter for people who want a steady stream of new TILs and to other learning resources by the same author, including a blog and a few courses and videos.

You can also follow the repository itself to see notes as they are added, though the README does not describe a specific way to get notifications.

  • Read the newsletter link in the README for new TILs
  • Check the other learning resources linked from the README
  • Revisit categories you already use to find recent additions

What people use it for

  • Finding a quick Git or shell tip without reading a long tutorial
  • Learning a Vim or Neovim keyboard shortcut to speed up editing
  • Looking up a short CSS or JavaScript technique for a specific problem
  • Getting ideas for your own short write-ups by seeing how the notes are structured

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to install til?

No. The README lists read online as the install method and no install commands are given. You open the repository and read the notes in your browser.

What are the requirements for using til?

The README does not list any prerequisites. You need a web browser to read the notes on the repository page.

Is til free to use and what is its licence?

The repository is listed under the MIT licence. The notes are free to read online.

Is til a library or software I can install?

No. It is a collection of short Today I Learned notes, not a software application or library. Its listed purpose is to share small learned tips.

Are there alternatives to til?

The project does not list any comparable projects in its metadata. If you want longer material on one technology, you would need to look at full tutorials or documentation, since each til entry is brief.

Is til suitable for beginners?

It is best for developers who already use the tools covered. Beginners who need a structured, step-by-step course may find the standalone snippets hard to follow in order.

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Our verdict

Use til if you already work with tools like Git, Vim, or the shell and want quick, single-topic tips you can browse in a few minutes. Pick a different resource if you need a structured course or in-depth coverage of one technology, because each note is brief and stands alone.

Install options & downloads