Flashcards from Video Notes — Spaced Repetition Learning

Flashcards in Video Controls Plus turn timestamped video notes into spaced-repetition study cards. Each card is automatically generated from a note (front: the note text; back: the timestamp link plus your optional answer), reviewed on the standard SM-2 cadence (Anki-style intervals: 1, 6, 16 days, then ×2.5 with each correct answer), and stored locally with optional cloud sync. The feature is built specifically for video-based learning — most flashcard apps treat all material the same, but a flashcard derived from a video benefits from a one-click jump back to the source moment, which is what the timestamp link provides.

Use cases

Language learning from authentic-content videos

Watch a Spanish-language YouTube interview at 0.75x. Each new vocabulary item gets a note (Alt+. period), which automatically becomes a flashcard. Review the deck the next day at 1, 6, 16-day intervals; the timestamp link replays the original sentence to lock in pronunciation.

Technical concepts from lecture series

A Stanford machine-learning lecture series produces ~50 notes per course. Convert to flashcards. Review weekly. Months later, the timestamp link lets you re-watch the original explanation in seconds.

Music theory or vocabulary drills

Pair flashcards with the A-B loop on the source video. The flashcard reminds you the term exists; the timestamp link delivers the audio context that the term lives in.

Recipe or technique memorization

Cooking and craft videos benefit from explicit "what step came after X?" cards. The flashcard flow turns a passive watch into a permanent skill.

How it works

  1. Take notes during video playback. Press Alt+. (period) during playback to capture a timestamped note. Type the prompt; the timestamp is auto-attached.
  2. Convert notes to flashcards. In the notes dashboard, select a note and click "Make flashcard". Add a back-of-card answer (or leave blank to use the timestamp link as the answer).
  3. Review on SM-2 schedule. Cards appear in the review queue at 1, 6, 16-day intervals (Anki-style SM-2). Mark each card Easy / Good / Hard / Again; intervals adjust accordingly.
  4. Use the timestamp link. Every card has a "Replay source" button that opens the original video at the captured second. Useful when the card text alone is not enough.
  5. Sync across devices. Sign in to sync the deck and the review history. Reviews on your phone count on your laptop and vice versa.

Examples

  • A 50-card language deck from a YouTube interview. Daily review takes ~5 minutes; recall after 30 days is typically high enough to recognize the words in unrelated content.
  • A 10-card recipe deck. Reviewed once a week; long-term retention of the technique without re-watching the full video.

Frequently asked questions

Is this just Anki?

It uses the same SM-2 algorithm Anki popularized, but the cards are generated from video notes and carry timestamp links. For pure flashcard workflows without video sources, Anki is more capable.

Can I import an Anki deck?

Not currently. The cards are tightly linked to source videos, which a generic Anki deck does not have.

Can I export to Anki?

Yes — export as TSV or APKG. Timestamp links are preserved as URL fields.

Does it work without sign-in?

Yes. Local-only mode persists cards in browser storage. Cloud sync (cross-device) requires sign-in.

How long should I study per day?

Most users hit diminishing returns above 10–15 minutes. The SM-2 algorithm assumes regular short sessions, not occasional cramming.

Can I share decks with a study partner?

Not yet — shared decks are a roadmap item. For now, export as TSV and share manually.

Tips

  • Capture notes liberally during the video; pruning into flashcards is easier than re-watching to find a missed concept.
  • Use the back-of-card answer field for the actual answer; the timestamp link is the "show me again" button, not a substitute for thinking through the answer.
  • Daily 10-minute reviews beat weekly 70-minute reviews for retention. The SM-2 schedule depends on regular cadence.
  • When you finish a course, archive its deck after one full review pass — the cards stay searchable but stop entering the review queue.

Limitations

  • No Anki import yet; export-only for now.
  • No shared decks (roadmap item).
  • The SM-2 algorithm is well-studied but imperfect — some cards need manual interval adjustment, especially difficult vocabulary.
  • Cards bound to a private/unlisted video lose the timestamp-link target if the source video is later removed; the card text remains.

Last updated 2026-05-06 by Ahsan Mahmood, maintainer.