Getting Started with Obsidian

Obsidian is a powerful knowledge management and note-taking application that uses local Markdown files. This guide will help you get up and running with Obsidian quickly.

What Makes Obsidian Different?

Obsidian stands out from other note-taking apps for several key reasons:

1. Local-first approach: Your notes are stored as plain Markdown files on your device
2. Bidirectional linking: Create connections between notes to build a knowledge graph
3. Customizability: Extensive plugin ecosystem and appearance settings
4. No lock-in: Since files are just Markdown, you can easily move to another system

Setting Up Your First Vault

A “vault” in Obsidian is just a folder on your computer. Here’s how to create one:

1. Download and install Obsidian from obsidian.md
2. Open Obsidian and select “Create new vault”
3. Name your vault (e.g., “Notes” or “Knowledge Base”)
4. Choose a location on your computer to store the vault

Creating Your First Notes

Once your vault is set up, try creating these starter notes:

• Index: A home page that links to main categories
• Daily Notes: For capturing thoughts and tasks daily
• Projects: For tracking active initiatives
• Resources: For storing reference materials

Next Steps

As you get comfortable with Obsidian, explore these features:

• Using templates for consistent note formats
• Setting up plugins for extended functionality
• Creating a tagging system for organization
• Building a consistent linking strategy

Happy note-taking!