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 Download the .ankiaddon file from AnkiWeb Open Anki and go to Tools → Add-ons Click Install from file and select the downloaded file 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
- Automatic Split (On Graduation)
When you review a combined card and answer Good (3) or Easy (4), causing it to graduate:
The add-on detects the graduation Adds the ps-split tag Deletes the combined card Creates atomic cards with graduation interval and 250% ease Shows a notification (if enabled in config)
Use this for: New cards completing their learning phase
- Manual Split (Keep Current Interval)
For difficult cards where you understand the schema but want to split anyway:
From the Browser:
Open the Browser (press B) Select the Combined card(s) you want to split Go to Edit → Manual Split (Keep Current Interval) or press Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+S (Mac) Confirm the action
From the Reviewer:
While reviewing a Combined card, press Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+S (Mac) 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:
Open the Browser Search for split notes: tag:ps-split note:“Progressive Split” Select the note(s) to unsplit Go to Edit → Unsplit Progressive Split Notes 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:
Manual Split (Keep Current Interval) (Ctrl+Shift+S / Cmd+Shift+S) - Manually split combined cards Unsplit Progressive Split Notes - Convert atomic cards back to combined cards 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.
