This video provides an 80/20 guide to using Obsidian, highlighting its core features and best practices for new users. It covers Obsidian's fundamental nature as a local, text-based note-taking app, its interface and navigation, how to create and link notes, essential settings, common pitfalls to avoid, hotkeys for efficiency, effective note organization strategies, and various note formats beyond plain text. The video emphasizes data ownership, simplicity, and gradual adoption of advanced features, concluding with a mention of AI integration through external services.
Obsidian's Core Value Propositions
- Zero-friction idea capture: Easy to jot down thoughts.
- Idea connection: Values linking and backlinks between notes.
- Improved thinking, learning, and writing: Facilitated by an offline, local-first format.
- Data ownership: Notes are text files on your computer, accessible even if Obsidian disappears.
What Obsidian Is
- A vault: Just a folder of notes on your computer.
- Text files: Notes are individual, future-proof Markdown files.
- Open in any app: Markdown files can be opened in other text editors (e.g., Text Edit, VS Code, Ulysses).
- Syncing: Can sync across devices using cloud services (e.g., Dropbox) or Obsidian Sync (paid, end-to-end encryption, version history).
- Secure: Developers don't track user installs; estimated 5-10 million users.
Obsidian Interface and Navigation
- Vault structure: Opens to a list of notes.
- New note creation: Button to create new notes.
- Folders: Create and collapse folders for organization.
- Sorting: Sort files by name, modified time, etc.
- Auto-reveal current file: Locates the open note in the sidebar.
- Search: Search across the entire vault.
- Bookmarks: Bookmark important files.
- Opening notes: Click to view,
command-click(Mac) /control-click(Windows) to open in new tabs. - Panels: Drag tabs to create multiple panels for multitasking.
Creating and Connecting Notes
- Simplicity: Start with basic notes and links to avoid overload.
- Linking: Use
[[to create internal links to new or existing notes. - Graph View: Visual representation of note connections; placeholder notes appear as lighter dots until created.
- Creating linked notes:
command-click(Mac) /control-click(Windows) on a link to create the note. - Highlight to link: Highlight text and press
[[to create a new linked note. - Backlinks: Displays mentions of the active note at the bottom right; can be collapsed or expanded.
Essential Settings
- Files and Links:
- Automatically update internal links: Prevents broken links when renaming notes.
- Default folder for attachments: Avoids clutter in the sidebar by organizing attachments.
- Appearance:
- Change themes (e.g., Anapuchin theme recommended as a base).
Common Pitfalls and Mistakes
- Don't import everything: Start fresh instead of dumping old notes.
- Keep plugins simple: Avoid advanced plugins initially; focus on linking.
- Don't overfolder: Use broad categories for ideas/knowledge; structure should be earned.
- Learn hotkeys: Essential for faster note-taking.
Hotkeys for Faster Note-Taking
- General:
command(Mac) /control(Windows) andoption(Mac) /alt(Windows). - Formatting:
command B: Bold.command I: Italicize.#: Headings (multiple # for different sizes).~~text~~: Strikethrough.==text==: Highlight.>: Quote block.-: Bullet list.1.(etc.): Numbered list.- []: Checklist.---(three dashes on empty line): Divider.`: Inline code.
- Linking:
[[note name]]: Internal link.[link text](URL): External link.
- Navigation:
command option left/right arrow: Navigate back/forward.command F: Find text on page.command T: Open new tab.command W: Close tab.
- Embedding:
![[note name]]: Embed entire note.: Display image from external link.
- Command Palette:
command P: Access command palette for shortcuts and advanced functions.
Organizing Notes
- Quick Switcher (
command O): Find/open notes fast. - Sidebar folders: Create broad, high-level folders first.
- Recommended Folder Structure (Ideverse template):
- Atlas: Timeless ideas/knowledge.
- Calendar: Time-based notes (journal, daily notes).
- Efforts: Time-bound tasks, projects, productivity.
- Bookmarks: Use dropdown or command to bookmark notes.
- Tags (
#): Bundle and filter notes by type. - Maps of Content (MOCs): Notes that organize and link other notes by topic/theme, creating connective hubs.
- Daily Notes: Capture quick thoughts and link to other parts of the vault.
Obsidian's Different Note Formats
- Embeds:
- Images: Drag and drop image files.
- PDFs, audio, documents: Attach various file types.
- Audio recorder core plugin: Quick voice memos.
- Embed YouTube videos and tweets.
- Tables:
command P->insert table. - Templates core plugin: Create reusable note formats.
- Properties: Add metadata (created date, checkboxes, links, text, numbers) to notes (
command ;). - Bases feature: Organize and filter notes by property.
- Canvas: Virtual whiteboard for brainstorming (drag-in notes, images, new cards).
AI in Obsidian
- No built-in AI: Obsidian does not have native AI; users integrate external AI services.
- User choice: Decide AI integration based on privacy and needs.
- Example (Claude): Ask questions, talk to notes, deep research, populate properties.
- Best practices: Back up notes before using AI, separate original thinking from AI-generated content.
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