Progressive Splitter

An Anki add-on that intelligently splits combined multi-question cards into individual atomic cards, making complex material easier to review and remember.

Overview

Progressive Splitter allows you to create notes with multiple Q&A pairs that initially review as a single combined card. When you're ready, the add-on automatically (or manually) splits them into separate atomic cards—perfect for learning complex topics where understanding the overall schema is important before drilling individual facts.

Features

• Automatic Split on Graduation: Combined cards automatically split into atomic cards when they graduate from the learning phase
• Manual Split: Manually split difficult cards while preserving their current review interval
• Flexible Splitting: Up to 6 Q&A pairs per note, with optional context and context images
• Smart Scheduling: Atomic cards inherit appropriate intervals and ease factors
• Reversible: Unsplit atomic cards back into combined cards if needed
• Tag-Based Tracking: Uses ps-split tag to manage split state

Installation

1. Download the .ankiaddon file from AnkiWeb
2. Open Anki and go to Tools → Add-ons
3. Click Install from file and select the downloaded file
4. Restart Anki

Usage

Creating Notes

The add-on automatically creates the "Progressive Split" note type with the following fields:

• Context: Optional context shared across all questions
• ContextImage: Optional image for visual context
• Q1-Q6: Up to 6 question fields
• A1-A6: Corresponding answer fields

Two Split Mechanisms

1. Automatic Split (On Graduation)

When you review a combined card and answer Good (3) or Easy (4), causing it to graduate:

1. The add-on detects the graduation
2. Adds the ps-split tag
3. Deletes the combined card
4. Creates atomic cards with graduation interval and 250% ease
5. Shows a notification (if enabled in config)

Use this for: New cards completing their learning phase

2. Manual Split (Keep Current Interval)

For difficult cards where you understand the schema but want to split anyway:

From the Browser:

1. Open the Browser (press B)
2. Select the Combined card(s) you want to split
3. Go to Edit → Manual Split (Keep Current Interval) or press Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+S (Mac)
4. Confirm the action

From the Reviewer:

1. While reviewing a Combined card, press Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+S (Mac)
2. The card will be instantly split and you'll move to the next card

The atomic cards will have:

• Same interval as the combined card (not reset to graduation interval)
• 250% ease factor
• Same due date

Use this for: Difficult cards where splitting would help but you want to preserve progress

Unsplitting Notes

To convert atomic cards back to a combined card:

1. Open the Browser
2. Search for split notes: tag:ps-split note:"Progressive Split"
3. Select the note(s) to unsplit
4. Go to Edit → Unsplit Progressive Split Notes
5. Confirm

The combined card will be restored with the shortest interval from the atomic cards.

Configuration

Access configuration via Tools → Add-ons → Progressive Splitter → Config

Options

• enabled (default: true): Enable/disable the add-on without uninstalling
• show_notifications (default: true): Show tooltip notifications when cards are split

See config.md for detailed configuration documentation.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+S (Mac): Manual split
  • In Browser: Splits selected Combined cards
  • In Reviewer: Instantly splits the current Combined card and moves to the next card

Browser Menu Actions

The add-on adds three actions to the Browser's Edit menu:

1. Manual Split (Keep Current Interval) (Ctrl+Shift+S / Cmd+Shift+S) - Manually split combined cards
2. Unsplit Progressive Split Notes - Convert atomic cards back to combined cards
3. Cleanup Progressive Split Cards - Remove incorrectly created atomic cards

Tags

The add-on uses the ps-split tag to track note state:

• Without ps-split tag: Only Combined card exists
• With ps-split tag: Only atomic cards exist

Search for split notes: tag:ps-split

Example Use Case

Medical student learning cardiology:

You create a note about ventricular septal defect (VSD) with:

• Context: "During auscultation, a pansystolic murmur is heard at the upper left sternal border in a 2-year-old child."
• ContextImage: [Optional diagram of heart showing VSD]
• Q1: "What congenital defect is most likely?"
• A1: "Ventricular septal defect (VSD)"
• Q2: "How does this affect blood flow?"
• A2: "Left-to-right shunt: oxygenated blood passes from the left ventricle to the right ventricle"
• Q3: "What are the typical symptoms?"
• A3: "Tachypnea, poor feeding, failure to thrive in infants"
• (You can add up to Q6/A6 - maximum of 6 Q&A pairs per note)

Initially: You review all questions together as a combined card to learn the overall clinical picture. The context and optional image appear on every card.

After splitting: Each Q&A becomes a separate atomic card, but all share the same context and context image, making them easier to recall.

Troubleshooting

Atomic cards created without ps-split tag

Use Edit → Cleanup Progressive Split Cards to remove incorrectly created atomic cards.

Cards not splitting automatically

• Verify the card is from "Progressive Split" note type
• Check that enabled is true in config
• Ensure you answered Good (3) or Easy (4)
• Verify the card graduated (interval > largest learning step)

Version History

1.0.0 (2025)

• Initial public release
• Automatic split on graduation
• Manual split with interval preservation
• Unsplit functionality
• Cleanup utility

Credits

Created by LordPam

Built with assistance from Claude Code.

License

This add-on is provided as-is. Feel free to use, modify, and distribute.

Support

For issues, questions, or feature requests, please report them on the AnkiWeb add-on page or reach out through the Anki community forums.