River Folder
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The method

Give every file a clear place in its lifecycle.

River Folder uses four stages and five durable rules. The goal is not a perfect folder tree. It is a workspace that another person can understand without asking its creator to translate it.

Four stages

One lifecycle from arrival to archive.

  1. 01

    Intake

    Capture incoming files, notes, links, exports, and requests before sorting them. The intake folder is temporary by design and should be reviewed on a regular cadence.

    Set up an intake review →
    Exit conditionEvery item is deleted, referenced, or moved into active work.
  2. 02

    Active

    Keep the current working set small. Names should sort predictably, ownership should be visible, and superseded drafts should leave the active folder.

    Apply the naming pattern →
    Exit conditionThe work is approved, cancelled, or ready to package.
  3. 03

    Deliver

    Collect final outputs, supporting context, and a handoff index. A recipient should know what is final, what each file is for, and what remains open.

    Build a handoff package →
    Exit conditionThe recipient can use the package without the working folder.
  4. 04

    Archive

    Retain the smallest useful record: approved outputs, source material with lasting value, decisions, and an inventory. Remove caches, duplicates, and obsolete exports.

    Create a durable archive →
    Exit conditionThe archive explains what was kept, why, and for how long.

Five rules

Structure should answer questions, not create them.

These rules stay useful across shared drives, local folders, cloud storage, and version-control repositories.

  1. 01

    Name for retrieval

    Include only details that help someone identify, sort, or act on the file.

  2. 02

    Separate current from historical

    Do not make people inspect five drafts to discover which one matters.

  3. 03

    Keep context beside the work

    Use a README or handoff index instead of relying on chat history.

  4. 04

    Use a small status vocabulary

    Draft, reviewed, approved, final, and archived are usually enough.

  5. 05

    Archive intentionally

    Retention should be a decision, not the result of never deleting anything.

Shared vocabulary

Use status words consistently.

Choose one status per file and define what it means for your project.

StatusMeaningNext action
draftWork is incomplete and may change substantially.Continue editing.
reviewedA named reviewer has checked the current version.Resolve comments or approve.
approvedThe accountable owner accepts the content.Prepare delivery output.
finalThis is the delivered copy for the stated purpose.Include in handoff.
archivedThe file is retained as a record, not active work.Do not edit in place.

Apply the method to a real folder.

Start with the cleanup guide, then compare your result with the worked workspace.

Open the cleanup guideView the worked example