Only One Entrance
New material goes into one folder only. Anything I want to take out gets pulled from the show's directory.
One Root Folder Was Already Too Many
I used to lay out materials, transcripts, other people's reference episodes, my own drafts, and tool scripts all in a single root directory. Two weeks later I couldn't tell which file was meant to air and which was just fuel. The more folders there are, the more every decision turns into "what is this folder for?" At that point I was managing tools, not making content.
Two Rules
Later I kept only two rules. New things only go into "Materials." Things I want to take out only come from my own show's directory. The transcription factory, the Gangqun character profiles, and the voice-cloning setup all run in the background. Not because they don't matter, but because I shouldn't have to open them every day.
Watch Only the Entrance and the Exit
The mistake people starting a channel most easily make is treating the factory tour as the product. Listeners don't need to know who handles transcription or who edits the drafts. They only hear one episode. Internally it should work the same way: as the boss, watch only the entrance and the exit. If the entrance is messy, even the smartest digital employees behind it are just sorting garbage. If the exit isn't clear, finishing the work is no better than not finishing it.
Don't Leave Things on the Desktop
This isn't an architectural principle. It's just admitting that I can't keep an eye on everything. Whatever choices you can cut down, don't leave on the desktop.
