What is Obsidian?

Obsidian is a note-taking app that stands out for its focus on connected thinking. Where traditional note apps work with folders and hierarchies, Obsidian encourages you to make connections between notes. The result is a personal knowledge base in which ideas, notes and information are linked together like a web of thoughts. This concept is also called a 'second brain' or 'digital garden'.

An important feature of Obsidian is that your notes are stored as plain Markdown files on your own computer. There is no lock-in: your files are always accessible, even without Obsidian. The app is free for personal use, with optional paid services for syncing and publishing. The community is active and hundreds of plugins are available to extend its functionality.

Obsidian basics

Creating a vault

In Obsidian you work with vaults: folders on your computer where all your notes are stored. The first time you start the app, you create a new vault or open an existing folder. You can have multiple vaults for different purposes, for example to keep work and personal notes separate. Each vault is completely independent, with its own settings and plugins.

Markdown as the foundation

All notes in Obsidian are Markdown files (.md). Markdown is a simple formatting language: # for headings, ** for bold, * for italics, - for lists. You don't need to know Markdown to get started; Obsidian shows the formatting directly in the editor. But as you progress, knowing Markdown makes you faster and more flexible.

Understanding the interface

On the left you see the file explorer with all your notes. In the middle you work in the editor, which has both an editing mode and a reading mode. On the right you can open panels for backlinks, tags or other information. The interface is customizable: move panels around, open several notes side by side, and configure keyboard shortcuts the way you like.

Creating and linking notes

Creating notes

Create a new note with Ctrl+N (Cmd+N on Mac) or click the new note icon. Give the note a name that describes its content. Start writing; Obsidian saves automatically. You can create folders for organization, but the real power lies in the links between notes.

The most important feature of Obsidian is linking between notes with [[double brackets]]. Type [[ and start typing the name of a note; Obsidian suggests existing notes. Select a note to create a link. You can also link to notes that don't exist yet; click the link to create them. This way of working encourages knowledge networks that grow organically.

The backlinks panel shows all notes that link to the current note. This is powerful: you see not only what you link to, but also what links to you. Backlinks reveal connections you may not have made consciously and help you discover patterns in your thinking.

The graph view

The graph view visualizes your notes as a network of connected points. Every note is a node, every link a connection. This overview shows the structure of your knowledge base and helps you identify clusters of related notes. It is also simply fascinating to watch your knowledge grow and connect.

Ways to organize

Using tags

Besides links, you can use tags for categorization. Type #tagname anywhere in a note. Tags are useful for statuses (#draft, #review, #final), types (#book, #article, #idea), or themes (#productivity, #health). The tags panel shows all your tags and lets you filter on them.

Obsidian supports folders, but many users minimize their folder structure and rely on links and tags. The philosophy is that a note belongs in several places within a knowledge network, which folders cannot express. Experiment with what works for you: some people use a handful of broad folders, others work completely flat.

The atomic notes principle

A popular method in Obsidian is creating 'atomic notes': notes about a single concept, idea or piece of information. Instead of long documents, you create many small notes that you link generously. This makes information reusable and combinable in ways that large documents don't allow.

Plugins and extensions

Core plugins

Obsidian includes core plugins that you can turn on or off. Examples are the daily note (automatically a note for every day), templates, word count, and the graph view. Look in the settings to see which core plugins are available and enable what is useful for your workflow.

Community plugins

The real power lies in the hundreds of community plugins. Popular examples are Dataview (query and display notes as databases), Calendar (a visual calendar for daily notes), Templater (advanced templates), and Excalidraw (drawings in notes). Browse the community plugins in the settings and install whatever you find interesting.

Themes and styling

Obsidian's appearance is fully customizable with themes. Choose from dozens of community themes or make your own CSS adjustments. A pleasant visual environment adds to the enjoyment of working in Obsidian every day.

Workflows and methods

Zettelkasten in Obsidian

The Zettelkasten method, developed by sociologist Niklas Luhmann, is a perfect fit for Obsidian. You create small notes, give them unique identifiers, and link them generously. The goal is a network of ideas that generates new insights through unexpected connections. Obsidian's linking features make Zettelkasten accessible and practical.

Daily notes

The daily notes plugin automatically creates a note for every day. Use it as a journal, for passing thoughts, or as a starting point for your day. Link from daily notes to permanent notes for topics you want to develop further. Over time, daily notes form a searchable log of your life and thinking.

The PARA method

The PARA method organizes information into Projects, Areas, Resources and Archives. You can implement it with folders or tags. Projects are current projects with deadlines. Areas are ongoing responsibilities. Resources are collections about your interests. Archives contain inactive items. PARA provides structure without limiting Obsidian's flexibility.

Syncing and backups

Obsidian Sync

Obsidian offers an optional paid sync service that syncs your vault between devices, including end-to-end encryption and version history. This is the most seamless option but costs a monthly fee.

Sync alternatives

Because Obsidian works with ordinary files, you can also sync through Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive or other cloud services. Place your vault folder inside the synced folder. Be careful with some services on mobile; not all of them work flawlessly. Many users report good experiences with iCloud on Apple devices.

Making backups

Your vault is a folder of files, so standard backup strategies work. Use Time Machine, Windows Backup, or a cloud service. The Obsidian Git plugin can automatically make commits to a Git repository, which gives you both a backup and version history.

Conclusion

Obsidian offers a unique approach to taking notes and building knowledge. The focus on connections between notes, combined with ownership of your data and extensive customizability, makes it a powerful tool for anyone who works seriously with information and ideas. The learning curve is a bit steeper than with simpler note apps, but the investment pays off in a personal knowledge base that grows with you.

Frequently asked questions

What makes Obsidian different from other note apps?

Obsidian focuses on connections between notes through bidirectional links, visualized in a graph view. Your notes are stored as local Markdown files that you own, with no vendor lock-in. The extensive plugin ecosystem makes the app highly adaptable to your workflow.

Is Obsidian free?

Obsidian is free for personal use. There are optional paid services: Obsidian Sync for syncing between devices (8 dollars per month) and Obsidian Publish for publishing notes as a website. A license is required for commercial use.

Can I use Obsidian on my phone?

Yes, Obsidian has apps for iOS and Android. You can sync your vault with Obsidian Sync or with cloud services such as iCloud or Dropbox. The mobile apps offer most of the functionality of the desktop version, including plugins.

What is Markdown and do I need to learn it?

Markdown is simple text formatting with symbols such as # for headings and ** for bold. You don't need to learn it to use Obsidian; the editor shows formatting visually. But a basic knowledge of Markdown makes you faster, and your notes stay readable in any text editor.

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