diff --git a/design/sort-picker-properties.pen b/design/sort-picker-properties.pen
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ebcc2d64
--- /dev/null
+++ b/design/sort-picker-properties.pen
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"children":[],"variables":{}}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/vault/cache.rs b/src-tauri/src/vault/cache.rs
index 86f4d018..8f0d3bc9 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/vault/cache.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/vault/cache.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use super::{parse_md_file, scan_vault, VaultEntry};
 // --- Vault Cache ---
 
 /// Bump this when VaultEntry fields change to force a full rescan.
-const CACHE_VERSION: u32 = 3;
+const CACHE_VERSION: u32 = 4;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 struct VaultCache {
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/vault/mod.rs b/src-tauri/src/vault/mod.rs
index 6f580a55..a141b907 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/vault/mod.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/vault/mod.rs
@@ -75,6 +75,10 @@ pub struct VaultEntry {
     /// Extracted from `[[target]]` and `[[target|display]]` patterns.
     #[serde(rename = "outgoingLinks", default)]
     pub outgoing_links: Vec<String>,
+    /// Custom scalar frontmatter properties (non-relationship, non-structural).
+    /// Only includes strings, numbers, and booleans — arrays/objects are excluded.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub properties: HashMap<String, serde_json::Value>,
 }
 
 /// Intermediate struct to capture YAML frontmatter fields.
@@ -200,6 +204,45 @@ fn extract_relationships(
     relationships
 }
 
+/// Additional keys to skip when extracting custom properties.
+/// These are already first-class fields on VaultEntry, so including them
+/// in `properties` would duplicate information.
+const PROPERTY_EXTRA_SKIP: &[&str] = &["belongs to", "related to", "owner"];
+
+/// Extract custom scalar properties from raw YAML frontmatter.
+/// Captures string, number, and boolean values that are not structural fields
+/// and do not contain wikilinks. Arrays and objects are excluded.
+fn extract_properties(
+    data: &HashMap<String, serde_json::Value>,
+) -> HashMap<String, serde_json::Value> {
+    let mut properties = HashMap::new();
+
+    for (key, value) in data {
+        let lower = key.to_ascii_lowercase();
+        if SKIP_KEYS.iter().any(|k| k.eq_ignore_ascii_case(&lower))
+            || PROPERTY_EXTRA_SKIP
+                .iter()
+                .any(|k| k.eq_ignore_ascii_case(&lower))
+        {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        match value {
+            serde_json::Value::String(s) => {
+                if !contains_wikilink(s) {
+                    properties.insert(key.clone(), value.clone());
+                }
+            }
+            serde_json::Value::Number(_) | serde_json::Value::Bool(_) => {
+                properties.insert(key.clone(), value.clone());
+            }
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
+    properties
+}
+
 /// Infer entity type from a parent folder name.
 fn infer_type_from_folder(folder: &str) -> String {
     match folder {
@@ -243,19 +286,24 @@ fn parse_created_at(fm: &Frontmatter) -> Option<u64> {
         .or_else(|| fm.created_time.as_ref().and_then(|s| parse_iso_date(s)))
 }
 
-/// Extract frontmatter and relationships from parsed gray_matter data.
+/// Extract frontmatter, relationships, and custom properties from parsed gray_matter data.
 fn extract_fm_and_rels(
     data: Option<gray_matter::Pod>,
-) -> (Frontmatter, HashMap<String, Vec<String>>) {
+) -> (
+    Frontmatter,
+    HashMap<String, Vec<String>>,
+    HashMap<String, serde_json::Value>,
+) {
     let hash = match data {
         Some(gray_matter::Pod::Hash(map)) => map,
-        _ => return (Frontmatter::default(), HashMap::new()),
+        _ => return (Frontmatter::default(), HashMap::new(), HashMap::new()),
     };
     let json_map: HashMap<String, serde_json::Value> =
         hash.into_iter().map(|(k, v)| (k, pod_to_json(v))).collect();
     (
         parse_frontmatter(&json_map),
         extract_relationships(&json_map),
+        extract_properties(&json_map),
     )
 }
 
@@ -282,7 +330,7 @@ pub fn parse_md_file(path: &Path) -> Result<VaultEntry, String> {
 
     let matter = Matter::<YAML>::new();
     let parsed = matter.parse(&content);
-    let (frontmatter, mut relationships) = extract_fm_and_rels(parsed.data);
+    let (frontmatter, mut relationships, properties) = extract_fm_and_rels(parsed.data);
 
     let title = extract_title(&parsed.content, &filename);
     let snippet = extract_snippet(&content);
@@ -341,6 +389,7 @@ pub fn parse_md_file(path: &Path) -> Result<VaultEntry, String> {
         template: frontmatter.template,
         word_count,
         outgoing_links,
+        properties,
     })
 }
 
@@ -1134,6 +1183,94 @@ References:
         assert!(entry.relationships.get("template").is_none());
     }
 
+    // --- custom properties tests ---
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_extract_properties_scalar_values() {
+        let dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let content = r#"---
+Is A: Project
+Status: Active
+Priority: High
+Rating: 5
+Due date: 2026-06-15
+Reviewed: true
+---
+# Test
+"#;
+        let entry = parse_test_entry(&dir, "project/test.md", content);
+        let expected: HashMap<String, serde_json::Value> = [
+            ("Priority".into(), serde_json::Value::String("High".into())),
+            ("Rating".into(), serde_json::json!(5)),
+            (
+                "Due date".into(),
+                serde_json::Value::String("2026-06-15".into()),
+            ),
+            ("Reviewed".into(), serde_json::Value::Bool(true)),
+        ]
+        .into_iter()
+        .collect();
+        assert_eq!(entry.properties, expected);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_extract_properties_skips_structural_fields() {
+        let dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let content = r#"---
+Is A: Project
+Status: Active
+Owner: Luca
+Cadence: Weekly
+Archived: false
+Priority: High
+---
+# Test
+"#;
+        let entry = parse_test_entry(&dir, "project/test.md", content);
+        // Only Priority should survive — all others are structural
+        assert_eq!(entry.properties.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(
+            entry.properties.get("Priority").and_then(|v| v.as_str()),
+            Some("High")
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_extract_properties_skips_wikilinks() {
+        let dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let content = r#"---
+Mentor: "[[person/alice]]"
+Company: Acme Corp
+---
+# Test
+"#;
+        let entry = parse_test_entry(&dir, "test.md", content);
+        assert!(entry.properties.get("Mentor").is_none());
+        assert_eq!(
+            entry.properties.get("Company").and_then(|v| v.as_str()),
+            Some("Acme Corp")
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_extract_properties_skips_arrays() {
+        let dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let content = r#"---
+Tags:
+  - productivity
+  - writing
+Company: Acme Corp
+---
+# Test
+"#;
+        let entry = parse_test_entry(&dir, "test.md", content);
+        assert!(entry.properties.get("Tags").is_none());
+        assert_eq!(
+            entry.properties.get("Company").and_then(|v| v.as_str()),
+            Some("Acme Corp")
+        );
+    }
+
     // Frontmatter update/delete tests are in frontmatter.rs
     // save_image tests are in vault/image.rs
     // purge_trash tests are in vault/trash.rs
diff --git a/src/components/NoteList.test.tsx b/src/components/NoteList.test.tsx
index 2b4e9727..b296827f 100644
--- a/src/components/NoteList.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/NoteList.test.tsx
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/note/facebook-ads-strategy.md',
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/person/matteo-cellini.md',
@@ -91,6 +93,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/event/2026-02-14-kickoff.md',
@@ -117,6 +120,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/topic/software-development.md',
@@ -143,6 +147,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
 ]
 
@@ -364,6 +369,7 @@ describe('getSortComparator', () => {
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
     ...overrides,
   })
 
@@ -477,6 +483,7 @@ describe('NoteList sort controls', () => {
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
     ...overrides,
   })
 
@@ -643,6 +650,68 @@ describe('NoteList sort controls', () => {
     titles = screen.getAllByText(/Zebra Note|Alpha Note/).map((el) => el.textContent)
     expect(titles).toEqual(['Alpha Note', 'Zebra Note'])
   })
+
+  it('shows custom properties with separator in sort dropdown', () => {
+    const entries = [
+      makeEntry({ path: '/a.md', title: 'A', properties: { Priority: 'High', Rating: 5 } }),
+      makeEntry({ path: '/b.md', title: 'B', properties: { Priority: 'Low', Company: 'Acme' } }),
+    ]
+    render(
+      <NoteList entries={entries} selection={allSelection} selectedNote={null} onSelectNote={noopSelect} onReplaceActiveTab={noopReplace} allContent={{}} onCreateNote={vi.fn()} />
+    )
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('sort-button-__list__'))
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('sort-separator')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('sort-option-property:Company')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('sort-option-property:Priority')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('sort-option-property:Rating')).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('omits separator when no custom properties exist', () => {
+    render(
+      <NoteList entries={mockEntries} selection={allSelection} selectedNote={null} onSelectNote={noopSelect} onReplaceActiveTab={noopReplace} allContent={{}} onCreateNote={vi.fn()} />
+    )
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('sort-button-__list__'))
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('sort-separator')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('sorts entries by custom property when selected', () => {
+    const entries = [
+      makeEntry({ path: '/a.md', title: 'A', modifiedAt: 3000, properties: { Rating: 3 } }),
+      makeEntry({ path: '/b.md', title: 'B', modifiedAt: 2000, properties: { Rating: 1 } }),
+      makeEntry({ path: '/c.md', title: 'C', modifiedAt: 1000, properties: { Rating: 5 } }),
+    ]
+    render(
+      <NoteList entries={entries} selection={allSelection} selectedNote={null} onSelectNote={noopSelect} onReplaceActiveTab={noopReplace} allContent={{}} onCreateNote={vi.fn()} />
+    )
+    // Default: modified desc → A, B, C
+    let titles = screen.getAllByText(/^[ABC]$/).map((el) => el.textContent)
+    expect(titles).toEqual(['A', 'B', 'C'])
+
+    // Switch to Rating sort (asc by default for properties)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('sort-button-__list__'))
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('sort-option-property:Rating'))
+
+    // Rating asc: B(1), A(3), C(5)
+    titles = screen.getAllByText(/^[ABC]$/).map((el) => el.textContent)
+    expect(titles).toEqual(['B', 'A', 'C'])
+  })
+
+  it('pushes entries without the property to end when sorting by custom property', () => {
+    const entries = [
+      makeEntry({ path: '/a.md', title: 'A', modifiedAt: 3000, properties: { Priority: 'High' } }),
+      makeEntry({ path: '/b.md', title: 'B', modifiedAt: 2000, properties: {} }),
+      makeEntry({ path: '/c.md', title: 'C', modifiedAt: 1000, properties: { Priority: 'Low' } }),
+    ]
+    render(
+      <NoteList entries={entries} selection={allSelection} selectedNote={null} onSelectNote={noopSelect} onReplaceActiveTab={noopReplace} allContent={{}} onCreateNote={vi.fn()} />
+    )
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('sort-button-__list__'))
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('sort-option-property:Priority'))
+
+    // Asc: A(High), C(Low), B(null → end)
+    const titles = screen.getAllByText(/^[ABC]$/).map((el) => el.textContent)
+    expect(titles).toEqual(['A', 'C', 'B'])
+  })
 })
 
 // --- Trash feature tests ---
@@ -672,6 +741,7 @@ const trashedEntry: VaultEntry = {
   order: null,
   template: null,
   outgoingLinks: [],
+  properties: {},
 }
 
 const expiredTrashedEntry: VaultEntry = {
@@ -699,6 +769,7 @@ const expiredTrashedEntry: VaultEntry = {
   order: null,
   template: null,
   outgoingLinks: [],
+  properties: {},
 }
 
 const entriesWithTrashed = [...mockEntries, trashedEntry, expiredTrashedEntry]
@@ -855,6 +926,7 @@ describe('NoteList — virtual list with large datasets', () => {
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
     ...overrides,
   })
 
@@ -1184,6 +1256,7 @@ const typeEntry: VaultEntry = {
   order: null,
   template: null,
   outgoingLinks: [],
+  properties: {},
 }
 
 const entriesWithType = [...mockEntries, typeEntry]
diff --git a/src/components/NoteList.tsx b/src/components/NoteList.tsx
index 471df6cc..a644934b 100644
--- a/src/components/NoteList.tsx
+++ b/src/components/NoteList.tsx
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import { useMultiSelect } from '../hooks/useMultiSelect'
 import { useNoteListKeyboard } from '../hooks/useNoteListKeyboard'
 import {
   type SortOption, type SortDirection, type SortConfig, type RelationshipGroup,
-  getSortComparator,
+  getSortComparator, extractSortableProperties,
   buildRelationshipGroups, filterEntries,
   relativeDate, getDisplayDate,
   loadSortPreferences, saveSortPreferences,
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ function RelationshipGroupSection({ group, isCollapsed, sortPrefs, onToggle, han
 }) {
   const groupConfig = sortPrefs[group.label] ?? { option: 'modified' as SortOption, direction: 'desc' as SortDirection }
   const sortedEntries = [...group.entries].sort(getSortComparator(groupConfig.option, groupConfig.direction))
+  const customProperties = useMemo(() => extractSortableProperties(group.entries), [group.entries])
   return (
     <div>
       <div className="flex w-full items-center justify-between bg-muted" style={{ height: 32, padding: '0 16px' }}>
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ function RelationshipGroupSection({ group, isCollapsed, sortPrefs, onToggle, han
           <span className="font-mono-label text-muted-foreground" style={{ fontWeight: 400 }}>{group.entries.length}</span>
         </button>
         <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
-          <SortDropdown groupLabel={group.label} current={groupConfig.option} direction={groupConfig.direction} onChange={handleSortChange} />
+          <SortDropdown groupLabel={group.label} current={groupConfig.option} direction={groupConfig.direction} customProperties={customProperties} onChange={handleSortChange} />
           <button className="flex items-center border-none bg-transparent cursor-pointer p-0 text-muted-foreground" onClick={onToggle}>
             {isCollapsed ? <CaretRight size={12} /> : <CaretDown size={12} />}
           </button>
@@ -241,25 +242,31 @@ function isModifiedEntry(path: string, pathSet: Set<string>, suffixes: string[])
   return suffixes.some((suffix) => path.endsWith(suffix))
 }
 
+function useFilteredEntries(entries: VaultEntry[], selection: SidebarSelection, modifiedPathSet: Set<string>, modifiedSuffixes: string[]) {
+  const isEntityView = selection.kind === 'entity'
+  const isChangesView = selection.kind === 'filter' && selection.filter === 'changes'
+  return useMemo(() => {
+    if (isEntityView) return []
+    if (isChangesView) return entries.filter((e) => isModifiedEntry(e.path, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes))
+    return filterEntries(entries, selection)
+  }, [entries, selection, isEntityView, isChangesView, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes])
+}
+
 function useNoteListData({ entries, selection, allContent, query, listSort, listDirection, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes }: NoteListDataParams) {
   const isEntityView = selection.kind === 'entity'
   const isTrashView = selection.kind === 'filter' && selection.filter === 'trash'
-  const isChangesView = selection.kind === 'filter' && selection.filter === 'changes'
 
   const typeDocument = useMemo(() => {
     if (selection.kind !== 'sectionGroup') return null
     return entries.find((e) => e.isA === 'Type' && e.title === selection.type) ?? null
   }, [selection, entries])
 
+  const filteredEntries = useFilteredEntries(entries, selection, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes)
+
   const searched = useMemo(() => {
-    if (isEntityView) return []
-    if (isChangesView) {
-      const sorted = [...entries.filter((e) => isModifiedEntry(e.path, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes))].sort(getSortComparator(listSort, listDirection))
-      return filterByQuery(sorted, query)
-    }
-    const sorted = [...filterEntries(entries, selection)].sort(getSortComparator(listSort, listDirection))
+    const sorted = [...filteredEntries].sort(getSortComparator(listSort, listDirection))
     return filterByQuery(sorted, query)
-  }, [entries, selection, isEntityView, isChangesView, listSort, listDirection, query, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes])
+  }, [filteredEntries, listSort, listDirection, query])
 
   const searchedGroups = useMemo(() => {
     if (!isEntityView) return []
@@ -272,7 +279,7 @@ function useNoteListData({ entries, selection, allContent, query, listSort, list
     [isTrashView, searched],
   )
 
-  return { isEntityView, isTrashView, isChangesView, typeDocument, searched, searchedGroups, expiredTrashCount }
+  return { isEntityView, isTrashView, typeDocument, searched, searchedGroups, expiredTrashCount }
 }
 
 // --- Main component ---
@@ -315,9 +322,18 @@ function NoteListInner({ entries, selection, selectedNote, allContent, modifiedF
   const typeEntryMap = useTypeEntryMap(entries)
   const query = search.trim().toLowerCase()
   const listConfig = sortPrefs['__list__'] ?? { option: 'modified' as SortOption, direction: 'desc' as SortDirection }
-  const listSort = listConfig.option
-  const listDirection = listConfig.direction
-  const { isEntityView, isTrashView, isChangesView, typeDocument, searched, searchedGroups, expiredTrashCount } = useNoteListData({ entries, selection, allContent, query, listSort, listDirection, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes })
+
+  // Compute custom properties and derive effective sort before sorting entries
+  const filteredEntries = useFilteredEntries(entries, selection, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes)
+  const customProperties = useMemo(() => extractSortableProperties(filteredEntries), [filteredEntries])
+  const listSort = useMemo<SortOption>(() => {
+    const opt = listConfig.option
+    if (!opt.startsWith('property:')) return opt
+    return customProperties.includes(opt.slice('property:'.length)) ? opt : 'modified'
+  }, [listConfig.option, customProperties])
+  const listDirection = listSort === listConfig.option ? listConfig.direction : 'desc'
+  const { isEntityView, isTrashView, typeDocument, searched, searchedGroups, expiredTrashCount } = useNoteListData({ entries, selection, allContent, query, listSort, listDirection, modifiedPathSet, modifiedSuffixes })
+  const isChangesView = selection.kind === 'filter' && selection.filter === 'changes'
 
   const noteListKeyboard = useNoteListKeyboard({
     items: searched,
@@ -395,7 +411,7 @@ function NoteListInner({ entries, selection, selectedNote, allContent, modifiedF
           {resolveHeaderTitle(selection, typeDocument)}
         </h3>
         <div className="flex items-center gap-3" style={{ WebkitAppRegion: 'no-drag' } as React.CSSProperties}>
-          {!isEntityView && <SortDropdown groupLabel="__list__" current={listSort} direction={listDirection} onChange={handleSortChange} />}
+          {!isEntityView && <SortDropdown groupLabel="__list__" current={listSort} direction={listDirection} customProperties={customProperties} onChange={handleSortChange} />}
           <button className="flex items-center text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:text-foreground" onClick={() => { setSearchVisible(!searchVisible); if (searchVisible) setSearch('') }} title="Search notes">
             <MagnifyingGlass size={16} />
           </button>
diff --git a/src/components/RawEditorView.test.tsx b/src/components/RawEditorView.test.tsx
index 4d805d8d..a2f0926e 100644
--- a/src/components/RawEditorView.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/RawEditorView.test.tsx
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ function entry(title: string, path = `/vault/note/${title}.md`) {
     modifiedAt: null, createdAt: null, fileSize: 0, snippet: '', wordCount: 0,
     relationships: {}, icon: null, color: null, order: null,
     sidebarLabel: null, template: null, outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/components/SearchPanel.test.tsx b/src/components/SearchPanel.test.tsx
index 45ff25d8..de31c181 100644
--- a/src/components/SearchPanel.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/SearchPanel.test.tsx
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['topic/ai', 'topic/api-design', 'person/luca'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/vault/event/retreat.md',
@@ -66,6 +67,7 @@ const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     order: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['person/bob'],
+    properties: {},
   },
 ]
 
diff --git a/src/components/Sidebar.test.tsx b/src/components/Sidebar.test.tsx
index be9f000f..63d78779 100644
--- a/src/components/Sidebar.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Sidebar.test.tsx
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/vault/responsibility/grow-newsletter.md',
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/vault/experiment/stock-screener.md',
@@ -96,6 +98,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/vault/procedure/weekly-essays.md',
@@ -123,6 +126,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/vault/topic/software-development.md',
@@ -150,6 +154,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/vault/topic/trading.md',
@@ -177,6 +182,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/vault/person/alice.md',
@@ -204,6 +210,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/vault/event/kickoff.md',
@@ -231,6 +238,7 @@ const mockEntries: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
 ]
 
@@ -451,6 +459,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
       },
       {
         path: '/vault/type/book.md',
@@ -478,6 +487,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
       },
       {
         path: '/vault/recipe/pasta.md',
@@ -504,6 +514,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
         order: null,
         template: null,
         outgoingLinks: [],
+        properties: {},
       },
       {
         path: '/vault/book/ddia.md',
@@ -530,6 +541,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
         order: null,
         template: null,
         outgoingLinks: [],
+        properties: {},
       },
     ]
 
@@ -576,6 +588,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
           cadence: null, archived: false, trashed: true, trashedAt: 1700000000,
           modifiedAt: 1700000000, createdAt: null, fileSize: 100, snippet: '', wordCount: 0,
           relationships: {}, icon: null, color: null, order: null, sidebarLabel: null, outgoingLinks: [],
+          properties: {},
         },
       ]
       render(<Sidebar entries={entriesWithTrashedOnly} selection={defaultSelection} onSelect={() => {}} />)
@@ -616,6 +629,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
       }
       render(<Sidebar entries={[...mockEntries, projectTypeEntry]} selection={defaultSelection} onSelect={() => {}} />)
       // "Projects" should appear once (the built-in section), not twice
@@ -632,6 +646,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
           archived: false, trashed: false, trashedAt: null, modifiedAt: 1700000000, createdAt: null,
           fileSize: 200, snippet: '', wordCount: 0, relationships: {},
           icon: null, color: null, order: null, sidebarLabel: 'News', outgoingLinks: [],
+          properties: {},
         },
         {
           path: '/vault/news/breaking.md', filename: 'breaking.md', title: 'Breaking Story', isA: 'News',
@@ -639,6 +654,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
           archived: false, trashed: false, trashedAt: null, modifiedAt: 1700000000, createdAt: null,
           fileSize: 300, snippet: '', wordCount: 0, relationships: {},
           icon: null, color: null, order: null, sidebarLabel: null, outgoingLinks: [],
+          properties: {},
         },
       ]
       render(<Sidebar entries={entriesWithLabel} selection={defaultSelection} onSelect={() => {}} />)
@@ -656,6 +672,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
           archived: false, trashed: false, trashedAt: null, modifiedAt: 1700000000, createdAt: null,
           fileSize: 200, snippet: '', wordCount: 0, relationships: {},
           icon: null, color: null, order: null, sidebarLabel: 'Contacts', outgoingLinks: [],
+          properties: {},
         },
       ]
       render(<Sidebar entries={entriesWithBuiltInOverride} selection={defaultSelection} onSelect={() => {}} />)
@@ -776,6 +793,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
         archived: false, trashed: false, trashedAt: null, modifiedAt: 1700000000, createdAt: null, fileSize: 200, snippet: '',
         wordCount: 0,
         relationships: {}, icon: null, color: null, order: 5, sidebarLabel: null, outgoingLinks: [],
+        properties: {},
       },
       {
         path: '/vault/type/topic.md', filename: 'topic.md', title: 'Topic', isA: 'Type',
@@ -783,6 +801,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
         archived: false, trashed: false, trashedAt: null, modifiedAt: 1700000000, createdAt: null, fileSize: 200, snippet: '',
         wordCount: 0,
         relationships: {}, icon: null, color: null, order: 0, sidebarLabel: null, outgoingLinks: [],
+        properties: {},
       },
       {
         path: '/vault/type/person.md', filename: 'person.md', title: 'Person', isA: 'Type',
@@ -790,6 +809,7 @@ describe('Sidebar', () => {
         archived: false, trashed: false, trashedAt: null, modifiedAt: 1700000000, createdAt: null, fileSize: 200, snippet: '',
         wordCount: 0,
         relationships: {}, icon: null, color: null, order: 1, sidebarLabel: null, outgoingLinks: [],
+        properties: {},
       },
     ]
 
diff --git a/src/components/SortDropdown.tsx b/src/components/SortDropdown.tsx
index 13e37133..455543b1 100644
--- a/src/components/SortDropdown.tsx
+++ b/src/components/SortDropdown.tsx
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { ArrowUp, ArrowDown } from '@phosphor-icons/react'
-import { type SortOption, type SortDirection, DEFAULT_DIRECTIONS, SORT_OPTIONS } from '../utils/noteListHelpers'
+import { type SortOption, type SortDirection, getDefaultDirection, SORT_OPTIONS, getSortOptionLabel } from '../utils/noteListHelpers'
 
-export function SortDropdown({ groupLabel, current, direction, onChange }: {
+export function SortDropdown({ groupLabel, current, direction, customProperties, onChange }: {
   groupLabel: string
   current: SortOption
   direction: SortDirection
+  customProperties?: string[]
   onChange: (groupLabel: string, option: SortOption, direction: SortDirection) => void
 }) {
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false)
@@ -27,58 +28,81 @@ export function SortDropdown({ groupLabel, current, direction, onChange }: {
   }
 
   const DirectionIcon = direction === 'asc' ? ArrowUp : ArrowDown
+  const hasCustom = customProperties && customProperties.length > 0
 
   return (
     <div ref={ref} className="relative" style={{ zIndex: open ? 10 : 0 }}>
       <button
         className={cn("flex items-center gap-0.5 rounded px-1 py-0.5 text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:text-foreground hover:bg-accent", open && "bg-accent text-foreground")}
         onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); setOpen(!open) }}
-        title={`Sort by ${current}`}
+        title={`Sort by ${getSortOptionLabel(current)}`}
         data-testid={`sort-button-${groupLabel}`}
       >
         <DirectionIcon size={12} data-testid={`sort-direction-icon-${groupLabel}`} />
-        <span className="text-[10px] font-medium">{SORT_OPTIONS.find((o) => o.value === current)?.label}</span>
+        <span className="text-[10px] font-medium">{getSortOptionLabel(current)}</span>
       </button>
       {open && (
-        <div className="absolute right-0 top-full mt-1 rounded-md border border-border bg-popover shadow-md" style={{ width: 150, padding: 4 }} data-testid={`sort-menu-${groupLabel}`}>
-          {SORT_OPTIONS.map((opt) => {
-            const isActive = opt.value === current
-            return (
-              <div
-                key={opt.value}
-                className={cn("flex w-full items-center justify-between rounded px-2 text-[12px] text-popover-foreground hover:bg-accent", isActive && "bg-accent font-medium")}
-                style={{ height: 28, cursor: 'pointer', background: isActive ? 'var(--accent)' : 'transparent' }}
-                data-testid={`sort-option-${opt.value}`}
-                onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); handleSelect(opt.value, isActive ? direction : DEFAULT_DIRECTIONS[opt.value]) }}
-              >
-                <span className="flex flex-1 items-center gap-1.5 text-inherit">
-                  {opt.label}
-                </span>
-                <span className="flex items-center gap-0.5 ml-1">
-                  <button
-                    className={cn("flex items-center border-none bg-transparent cursor-pointer p-0 rounded hover:bg-background", isActive && direction === 'asc' ? 'text-foreground' : 'text-muted-foreground opacity-40')}
-                    style={{ padding: 2 }}
-                    onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); handleSelect(opt.value, 'asc') }}
-                    data-testid={`sort-dir-asc-${opt.value}`}
-                    title="Ascending"
-                  >
-                    <ArrowUp size={12} />
-                  </button>
-                  <button
-                    className={cn("flex items-center border-none bg-transparent cursor-pointer p-0 rounded hover:bg-background", isActive && direction === 'desc' ? 'text-foreground' : 'text-muted-foreground opacity-40')}
-                    style={{ padding: 2 }}
-                    onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); handleSelect(opt.value, 'desc') }}
-                    data-testid={`sort-dir-desc-${opt.value}`}
-                    title="Descending"
-                  >
-                    <ArrowDown size={12} />
-                  </button>
-                </span>
-              </div>
-            )
-          })}
+        <div
+          className="absolute right-0 top-full mt-1 rounded-md border border-border bg-popover shadow-md"
+          style={{ width: 170, padding: 4, maxHeight: 280, overflowY: 'auto' }}
+          data-testid={`sort-menu-${groupLabel}`}
+        >
+          {SORT_OPTIONS.map((opt) => (
+            <SortRow key={opt.value} value={opt.value} label={opt.label} current={current} direction={direction} onSelect={handleSelect} />
+          ))}
+          {hasCustom && (
+            <>
+              <div className="mx-2 my-1 border-t border-border" data-testid="sort-separator" />
+              {customProperties.map((key) => {
+                const value: SortOption = `property:${key}`
+                return <SortRow key={value} value={value} label={key} current={current} direction={direction} onSelect={handleSelect} />
+              })}
+            </>
+          )}
         </div>
       )}
     </div>
   )
 }
+
+function SortRow({ value, label, current, direction, onSelect }: {
+  value: SortOption
+  label: string
+  current: SortOption
+  direction: SortDirection
+  onSelect: (opt: SortOption, dir: SortDirection) => void
+}) {
+  const isActive = value === current
+  return (
+    <div
+      className={cn("flex w-full items-center justify-between rounded px-2 text-[12px] text-popover-foreground hover:bg-accent", isActive && "bg-accent font-medium")}
+      style={{ height: 28, cursor: 'pointer', background: isActive ? 'var(--accent)' : 'transparent' }}
+      data-testid={`sort-option-${value}`}
+      onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); onSelect(value, isActive ? direction : getDefaultDirection(value)) }}
+    >
+      <span className="flex flex-1 items-center gap-1.5 text-inherit truncate">
+        {label}
+      </span>
+      <span className="flex items-center gap-0.5 ml-1 shrink-0">
+        <button
+          className={cn("flex items-center border-none bg-transparent cursor-pointer p-0 rounded hover:bg-background", isActive && direction === 'asc' ? 'text-foreground' : 'text-muted-foreground opacity-40')}
+          style={{ padding: 2 }}
+          onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); onSelect(value, 'asc') }}
+          data-testid={`sort-dir-asc-${value}`}
+          title="Ascending"
+        >
+          <ArrowUp size={12} />
+        </button>
+        <button
+          className={cn("flex items-center border-none bg-transparent cursor-pointer p-0 rounded hover:bg-background", isActive && direction === 'desc' ? 'text-foreground' : 'text-muted-foreground opacity-40')}
+          style={{ padding: 2 }}
+          onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); onSelect(value, 'desc') }}
+          data-testid={`sort-dir-desc-${value}`}
+          title="Descending"
+        >
+          <ArrowDown size={12} />
+        </button>
+      </span>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/hooks/useEntryActions.test.ts b/src/hooks/useEntryActions.test.ts
index a6681c5c..d8634c61 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useEntryActions.test.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useEntryActions.test.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ const makeEntry = (overrides: Partial<VaultEntry> = {}): VaultEntry => ({
   order: null,
   template: null,
   outgoingLinks: [],
+  properties: {},
   ...overrides,
 })
 
diff --git a/src/hooks/useKeyboardNavigation.test.ts b/src/hooks/useKeyboardNavigation.test.ts
index ad26f840..1f06e00d 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useKeyboardNavigation.test.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useKeyboardNavigation.test.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ const makeEntry = (overrides: Partial<VaultEntry> = {}): VaultEntry => ({
   order: null,
   template: null,
   outgoingLinks: [],
+  properties: {},
   ...overrides,
 })
 
diff --git a/src/hooks/useNoteActions.ts b/src/hooks/useNoteActions.ts
index e9bc5d40..b892ed0a 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useNoteActions.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useNoteActions.ts
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ export function buildNewEntry({ path, slug, title, type, status }: NewEntryParam
     aliases: [], belongsTo: [], relatedTo: [],
     status, owner: null, cadence: null, archived: false, trashed: false, trashedAt: null,
     modifiedAt: now, createdAt: now, fileSize: 0,
-    snippet: '', wordCount: 0, relationships: {}, icon: null, color: null, order: null, outgoingLinks: [], sidebarLabel: null, template: null,
+    snippet: '', wordCount: 0, relationships: {}, icon: null, color: null, order: null, outgoingLinks: [], sidebarLabel: null, template: null, properties: {},
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/hooks/useThemeManager.test.ts b/src/hooks/useThemeManager.test.ts
index 595b1c24..7f792099 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useThemeManager.test.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useThemeManager.test.ts
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ function makeThemeEntry(path: string, title: string): VaultEntry {
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/mock-tauri/mock-entries.ts b/src/mock-tauri/mock-entries.ts
index 9372e35a..5bce91e0 100644
--- a/src/mock-tauri/mock-entries.ts
+++ b/src/mock-tauri/mock-entries.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['quarter/q1-2026', 'topic/software-development', 'person/matteo-cellini', 'person/maria-bianchi', 'person/marco-verdi'],
+    properties: { Priority: 'High', 'Due date': '2026-06-15' },
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/responsibility/grow-newsletter.md',
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['essay/on-writing-well', 'essay/engineering-leadership-101', 'essay/ai-agents-primer', 'topic/growth', 'topic/writing'],
+    properties: { Priority: 'High', Rating: 5, Cadence: 'Weekly' },
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/responsibility/manage-sponsorships.md',
@@ -104,6 +106,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['person/matteo-cellini'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/procedure/write-weekly-essays.md',
@@ -134,6 +137,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['responsibility/grow-newsletter'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/procedure/run-sponsorships.md',
@@ -164,6 +168,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['responsibility/manage-sponsorships'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/experiment/stock-screener.md',
@@ -195,6 +200,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['topic/trading', 'topic/algorithmic-trading', 'data/ema200-backtest-results'],
+    properties: { Priority: 'Low', 'Due date': '2026-03-01' },
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/note/facebook-ads-strategy.md',
@@ -226,6 +232,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['project/26q1-laputa-app', 'topic/growth', 'topic/ads'],
+    properties: { Priority: 'Medium', Rating: 4 },
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/note/budget-allocation.md',
@@ -256,6 +263,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['project/26q1-laputa-app'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/person/matteo-cellini.md',
@@ -285,6 +293,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: { Company: 'Acme Corp', Role: 'Engineering Lead' },
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/person/maria-bianchi.md',
@@ -314,6 +323,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: { Company: 'TechStart', Role: 'Product Manager' },
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/person/marco-verdi.md',
@@ -343,6 +353,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/person/elena-russo.md',
@@ -372,6 +383,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/event/2026-02-14-laputa-app-kickoff.md',
@@ -402,6 +414,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['project/26q1-laputa-app', 'person/matteo-cellini'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/topic/software-development.md',
@@ -432,6 +445,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/topic/trading.md',
@@ -462,6 +476,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/essay/on-writing-well.md',
@@ -492,6 +507,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['responsibility/grow-newsletter'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/essay/engineering-leadership-101.md',
@@ -523,6 +539,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['responsibility/grow-newsletter', 'topic/software-development'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/essay/ai-agents-primer.md',
@@ -553,6 +570,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: ['responsibility/grow-newsletter'],
+    properties: {},
   },
   // --- Type documents ---
   {
@@ -581,6 +599,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/responsibility.md',
@@ -608,6 +627,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/procedure.md',
@@ -635,6 +655,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/experiment.md',
@@ -662,6 +683,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/person.md',
@@ -689,6 +711,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/event.md',
@@ -716,6 +739,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/topic.md',
@@ -743,6 +767,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/essay.md',
@@ -770,6 +795,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/note.md',
@@ -797,6 +823,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   // --- Custom type documents ---
   {
@@ -825,6 +852,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/type/book.md',
@@ -852,6 +880,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   // --- Instances of custom types ---
   {
@@ -882,6 +911,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: { Difficulty: 'Easy', 'Prep time': '30 min', Servings: 4 },
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/book/designing-data-intensive-applications.md',
@@ -911,6 +941,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: { Author: 'Martin Kleppmann', Rating: 5, 'Year published': 2017 },
   },
   // --- Trashed entries ---
   {
@@ -942,6 +973,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/note/deprecated-api-notes.md',
@@ -971,6 +1003,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/experiment/failed-seo-experiment.md',
@@ -1001,6 +1034,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   // --- Archived entries ---
   {
@@ -1023,6 +1057,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
     modifiedAt: now - 86400 * 120,
     createdAt: now - 86400 * 200,
     fileSize: 680,
@@ -1053,6 +1088,7 @@ export const MOCK_ENTRIES: VaultEntry[] = [
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
     modifiedAt: now - 86400 * 90,
     createdAt: now - 86400 * 150,
     fileSize: 520,
@@ -1116,6 +1152,7 @@ function generateBulkEntries(count: number): VaultEntry[] {
       outgoingLinks: Array.from({ length: i % 8 }, (_j, j) => `note/link-target-${(i + j) % 50}`),
       sidebarLabel: null,
       template: null,
+      properties: {},
     })
   }
   return entries
@@ -1149,6 +1186,7 @@ MOCK_ENTRIES.push(
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/theme/dark.md',
@@ -1176,6 +1214,7 @@ MOCK_ENTRIES.push(
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
   {
     path: '/Users/luca/Laputa/theme/minimal.md',
@@ -1203,6 +1242,7 @@ MOCK_ENTRIES.push(
     sidebarLabel: null,
     template: null,
     outgoingLinks: [],
+    properties: {},
   },
 )
 
diff --git a/src/types.ts b/src/types.ts
index 9d1c4c39..292491af 100644
--- a/src/types.ts
+++ b/src/types.ts
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ export interface VaultEntry {
   template: string | null
   /** All wikilink targets found in the note content. Extracted from [[target]] patterns. */
   outgoingLinks: string[]
+  /** Custom scalar frontmatter properties (non-relationship, non-structural). */
+  properties: Record<string, string | number | boolean | null>
 }
 
 export type NoteStatus = 'new' | 'modified' | 'clean' | 'pendingSave' | 'unsaved'
diff --git a/src/utils/noteListHelpers.test.ts b/src/utils/noteListHelpers.test.ts
index 17e9d613..ec6b9cf4 100644
--- a/src/utils/noteListHelpers.test.ts
+++ b/src/utils/noteListHelpers.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { describe, it, expect, vi, afterEach } from 'vitest'
-import { formatSubtitle, formatSearchSubtitle, relativeDate, buildRelationshipGroups } from './noteListHelpers'
+import { formatSubtitle, formatSearchSubtitle, relativeDate, buildRelationshipGroups, getSortComparator, extractSortableProperties, getSortOptionLabel, getDefaultDirection } from './noteListHelpers'
 import type { VaultEntry } from '../types'
 
 function makeEntry(overrides: Partial<VaultEntry> = {}): VaultEntry {
@@ -325,3 +325,113 @@ describe('buildRelationshipGroups', () => {
     expect(groups.find((g) => g.label === 'Backlinks')!.entries[0].title).toBe('Linker')
   })
 })
+
+describe('getSortComparator — custom properties', () => {
+  it('sorts by string property alphabetically', () => {
+    const a = makeEntry({ title: 'A', properties: { Priority: 'High' } })
+    const b = makeEntry({ title: 'B', properties: { Priority: 'Low' } })
+    const c = makeEntry({ title: 'C', properties: { Priority: 'Medium' } })
+    const sorted = [a, b, c].sort(getSortComparator('property:Priority'))
+    expect(sorted.map((e) => e.title)).toEqual(['A', 'B', 'C'])
+  })
+
+  it('sorts by numeric property', () => {
+    const a = makeEntry({ title: 'A', properties: { Rating: 3 } })
+    const b = makeEntry({ title: 'B', properties: { Rating: 5 } })
+    const c = makeEntry({ title: 'C', properties: { Rating: 1 } })
+    const sorted = [a, b, c].sort(getSortComparator('property:Rating'))
+    expect(sorted.map((e) => e.title)).toEqual(['C', 'A', 'B'])
+  })
+
+  it('sorts by date property chronologically', () => {
+    const a = makeEntry({ title: 'A', properties: { 'Due date': '2026-06-15' } })
+    const b = makeEntry({ title: 'B', properties: { 'Due date': '2026-01-01' } })
+    const c = makeEntry({ title: 'C', properties: { 'Due date': '2026-03-10' } })
+    const sorted = [a, b, c].sort(getSortComparator('property:Due date'))
+    expect(sorted.map((e) => e.title)).toEqual(['B', 'C', 'A'])
+  })
+
+  it('pushes null values to end regardless of direction', () => {
+    const a = makeEntry({ title: 'A', properties: { Priority: 'High' } })
+    const b = makeEntry({ title: 'B', properties: {} })
+    const c = makeEntry({ title: 'C', properties: { Priority: 'Low' } })
+    const ascSorted = [a, b, c].sort(getSortComparator('property:Priority', 'asc'))
+    expect(ascSorted.map((e) => e.title)).toEqual(['A', 'C', 'B'])
+    const descSorted = [a, b, c].sort(getSortComparator('property:Priority', 'desc'))
+    expect(descSorted.map((e) => e.title)).toEqual(['C', 'A', 'B'])
+  })
+
+  it('sorts descending when direction is desc', () => {
+    const a = makeEntry({ title: 'A', properties: { Rating: 3 } })
+    const b = makeEntry({ title: 'B', properties: { Rating: 5 } })
+    const c = makeEntry({ title: 'C', properties: { Rating: 1 } })
+    const sorted = [a, b, c].sort(getSortComparator('property:Rating', 'desc'))
+    expect(sorted.map((e) => e.title)).toEqual(['B', 'A', 'C'])
+  })
+
+  it('handles entries with no properties field gracefully', () => {
+    const a = makeEntry({ title: 'A', properties: { Priority: 'High' } })
+    const b = makeEntry({ title: 'B', properties: {} })
+    const sorted = [a, b].sort(getSortComparator('property:Priority'))
+    expect(sorted.map((e) => e.title)).toEqual(['A', 'B'])
+  })
+
+  it('handles boolean property sorting', () => {
+    const a = makeEntry({ title: 'A', properties: { Reviewed: true } })
+    const b = makeEntry({ title: 'B', properties: { Reviewed: false } })
+    const sorted = [a, b].sort(getSortComparator('property:Reviewed'))
+    expect(sorted.map((e) => e.title)).toEqual(['B', 'A'])
+  })
+})
+
+describe('extractSortableProperties', () => {
+  it('returns union of all property keys across entries', () => {
+    const entries = [
+      makeEntry({ properties: { Priority: 'High', Rating: 5 } }),
+      makeEntry({ properties: { Priority: 'Low', Company: 'Acme' } }),
+    ]
+    expect(extractSortableProperties(entries)).toEqual(['Company', 'Priority', 'Rating'])
+  })
+
+  it('returns empty array for entries without properties', () => {
+    const entries = [makeEntry(), makeEntry()]
+    expect(extractSortableProperties(entries)).toEqual([])
+  })
+
+  it('returns empty array for empty entry list', () => {
+    expect(extractSortableProperties([])).toEqual([])
+  })
+
+  it('deduplicates property keys', () => {
+    const entries = [
+      makeEntry({ properties: { Priority: 'High' } }),
+      makeEntry({ properties: { Priority: 'Low' } }),
+    ]
+    expect(extractSortableProperties(entries)).toEqual(['Priority'])
+  })
+})
+
+describe('getSortOptionLabel', () => {
+  it('returns label for built-in options', () => {
+    expect(getSortOptionLabel('modified')).toBe('Modified')
+    expect(getSortOptionLabel('title')).toBe('Title')
+  })
+
+  it('returns property key for custom properties', () => {
+    expect(getSortOptionLabel('property:Priority')).toBe('Priority')
+    expect(getSortOptionLabel('property:Due date')).toBe('Due date')
+  })
+})
+
+describe('getDefaultDirection', () => {
+  it('returns desc for time-based sorts', () => {
+    expect(getDefaultDirection('modified')).toBe('desc')
+    expect(getDefaultDirection('created')).toBe('desc')
+  })
+
+  it('returns asc for other sorts', () => {
+    expect(getDefaultDirection('title')).toBe('asc')
+    expect(getDefaultDirection('status')).toBe('asc')
+    expect(getDefaultDirection('property:Priority')).toBe('asc')
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/utils/noteListHelpers.ts b/src/utils/noteListHelpers.ts
index c4e84a2d..07c0a175 100644
--- a/src/utils/noteListHelpers.ts
+++ b/src/utils/noteListHelpers.ts
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ export function sortByModified(a: VaultEntry, b: VaultEntry): number {
   return (getDisplayDate(b) ?? 0) - (getDisplayDate(a) ?? 0)
 }
 
-export type SortOption = 'modified' | 'created' | 'title' | 'status'
+export type SortOption = 'modified' | 'created' | 'title' | 'status' | `property:${string}`
 export type SortDirection = 'asc' | 'desc'
 
 export interface SortConfig {
@@ -93,11 +93,11 @@ export interface SortConfig {
   direction: SortDirection
 }
 
-export const DEFAULT_DIRECTIONS: Record<SortOption, SortDirection> = {
-  modified: 'desc',
-  created: 'desc',
-  title: 'asc',
-  status: 'asc',
+export const DEFAULT_SORT_OPTIONS: SortOption[] = ['modified', 'created', 'title', 'status']
+
+export function getDefaultDirection(option: SortOption): SortDirection {
+  if (option === 'modified' || option === 'created') return 'desc'
+  return 'asc'
 }
 
 export const SORT_OPTIONS: { value: SortOption; label: string }[] = [
@@ -107,31 +107,80 @@ export const SORT_OPTIONS: { value: SortOption; label: string }[] = [
   { value: 'status', label: 'Status' },
 ]
 
+export function getSortOptionLabel(option: SortOption): string {
+  if (option.startsWith('property:')) return option.slice('property:'.length)
+  return SORT_OPTIONS.find((o) => o.value === option)?.label ?? option
+}
+
+/** Extract sortable custom property keys from a list of entries. */
+export function extractSortableProperties(entries: VaultEntry[]): string[] {
+  const keys = new Set<string>()
+  for (const entry of entries) {
+    if (entry.properties) {
+      for (const key of Object.keys(entry.properties)) keys.add(key)
+    }
+  }
+  return [...keys].sort((a, b) => a.localeCompare(b))
+}
+
 const STATUS_ORDER: Record<string, number> = {
   Active: 0, Paused: 1, Done: 2, Finished: 3,
 }
 
-export function getSortComparator(option: SortOption, direction?: SortDirection): (a: VaultEntry, b: VaultEntry) => number {
-  const dir = direction ?? DEFAULT_DIRECTIONS[option]
-  const flip = dir === 'asc' ? 1 : -1
-  switch (option) {
-    case 'modified':
-      return (a, b) => flip * ((getDisplayDate(a) ?? 0) - (getDisplayDate(b) ?? 0))
-    case 'created':
-      return (a, b) => flip * ((a.createdAt ?? a.modifiedAt ?? 0) - (b.createdAt ?? b.modifiedAt ?? 0))
-    case 'title':
-      return (a, b) => flip * a.title.localeCompare(b.title)
-    case 'status':
-      return (a, b) => {
-        const sa = STATUS_ORDER[a.status ?? ''] ?? 999
-        const sb = STATUS_ORDER[b.status ?? ''] ?? 999
-        if (sa !== sb) return flip * (sa - sb)
-        // Tiebreaker: always newest first regardless of direction
-        return (getDisplayDate(b) ?? 0) - (getDisplayDate(a) ?? 0)
-      }
+const ISO_DATE_RE = /^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}/
+
+function tryParseDate(s: string): number | null {
+  if (!ISO_DATE_RE.test(s)) return null
+  const d = new Date(s)
+  return isNaN(d.getTime()) ? null : d.getTime()
+}
+
+function compareNumericPair(a: unknown, b: unknown): number | null {
+  if (typeof a === 'number' && typeof b === 'number') return a - b
+  if (typeof a === 'boolean' && typeof b === 'boolean') return (a ? 1 : 0) - (b ? 1 : 0)
+  return null
+}
+
+function comparePropertyValues(a: unknown, b: unknown): number {
+  const numeric = compareNumericPair(a, b)
+  if (numeric !== null) return numeric
+  const sa = String(a)
+  const sb = String(b)
+  const da = tryParseDate(sa)
+  const db = tryParseDate(sb)
+  if (da !== null && db !== null) return da - db
+  return sa.localeCompare(sb)
+}
+
+function makePropertyComparator(key: string, flip: number): (a: VaultEntry, b: VaultEntry) => number {
+  return (a, b) => {
+    const va = a.properties?.[key] ?? null
+    const vb = b.properties?.[key] ?? null
+    if (va == null && vb == null) return 0
+    if (va == null) return 1
+    if (vb == null) return -1
+    return flip * comparePropertyValues(va, vb)
   }
 }
 
+function makeBuiltinComparator(option: string, flip: number): (a: VaultEntry, b: VaultEntry) => number {
+  if (option === 'title') return (a, b) => flip * a.title.localeCompare(b.title)
+  if (option === 'created') return (a, b) => flip * ((a.createdAt ?? a.modifiedAt ?? 0) - (b.createdAt ?? b.modifiedAt ?? 0))
+  if (option === 'status') return (a, b) => {
+    const sa = STATUS_ORDER[a.status ?? ''] ?? 999
+    const sb = STATUS_ORDER[b.status ?? ''] ?? 999
+    if (sa !== sb) return flip * (sa - sb)
+    return (getDisplayDate(b) ?? 0) - (getDisplayDate(a) ?? 0)
+  }
+  return (a, b) => flip * ((getDisplayDate(a) ?? 0) - (getDisplayDate(b) ?? 0))
+}
+
+export function getSortComparator(option: SortOption, direction?: SortDirection): (a: VaultEntry, b: VaultEntry) => number {
+  const flip = (direction ?? getDefaultDirection(option)) === 'asc' ? 1 : -1
+  if (option.startsWith('property:')) return makePropertyComparator(option.slice('property:'.length), flip)
+  return makeBuiltinComparator(option, flip)
+}
+
 const SORT_STORAGE_KEY = 'laputa-sort-preferences'
 
 export function loadSortPreferences(): Record<string, SortConfig> {
@@ -144,7 +193,7 @@ export function loadSortPreferences(): Record<string, SortConfig> {
       if (typeof value === 'string') {
         // Migrate old format: bare SortOption string → SortConfig
         const opt = value as SortOption
-        result[key] = { option: opt, direction: DEFAULT_DIRECTIONS[opt] }
+        result[key] = { option: opt, direction: getDefaultDirection(opt) }
       } else {
         result[key] = value as SortConfig
       }