Obsidian is a powerful and privacy-focused note-taking app designed for personal knowledge management (PKM). Unlike cloud-based tools, Obsidian stores your notes as local Markdown files, giving you full control over your data while offering advanced features like bidirectional links, graph view, and community plugins.
If you're new to Obsidian, this article will guide you through installing the app and highlight 10 essential tips to help you build a structured, interconnected "second brain."
✅ How to Install Obsidian
1. Download the App
- Visit https://obsidian.md
- Click “Download” and choose your platform:
- Windows (.exe)
- macOS (.dmg)
- Linux (.AppImage / .deb)
- You can also find it on the App Store or Google Play for mobile use.
2. Install and Launch
- Run the downloaded installer and follow the setup instructions.
- Once installed, open Obsidian.
3. Create a Vault
- A Vault is the folder where all your Markdown notes are stored.
- You can:
- Create a new vault (recommended for first-time users)
- Open an existing folder as a vault
- Sync across devices (requires Obsidian Sync, a paid add-on)
🧠 10 Must-Know Tips for Using Obsidian
🔗 1. Use Internal Links with [[ ]]
Create bidirectional links between notes by typing [[Note Title]]. This helps you connect ideas and easily navigate your thoughts.
🌐 2. Explore the Graph View
Click the graph icon to visualize your notes as a network of connected ideas. The more you link, the more powerful it becomes.
📝 3. Markdown-Based Notes
Obsidian uses plain Markdown (.md) files. Learn basic syntax:
# for headings- or * for bullet points**bold** and _italic_
📂 4. Structure with Folders and Tags
Organize notes into folders or use #tags for flexible categorization. You can search or filter notes by tags or folder structure.
🧩 5. Install Core and Community Plugins
Go to Settings > Community Plugins to unlock new features like:
- Calendar
- Kanban boards
- Daily Notes
- Advanced Tables
- Enable Safe Mode OFF to install third-party plugins.
🕒 6. Use Daily Notes for Journaling
Enable Daily Notes to automatically create a note for each day. Great for journaling, task logging, or tracking habits.
🔍 7. Master Search and Queries
Use Obsidian's advanced search to filter notes by tag, content, or backlink. Example:
tag:#project shows all notes with that tagpath:meetings shows all notes inside a folder named “meetings”
🔁 8. Use Templates for Repetitive Content
Install the Templates plugin to create reusable formats for meeting notes, journals, or project tracking.
🔐 9. Local-First and Privacy Focused
Obsidian does not store your notes in the cloud by default—everything is local and offline. Use Obsidian Sync or cloud services like Dropbox if you want multi-device sync.
📲 10. Mobile App Sync
Use the mobile app to access your notes on the go. Pair with cloud sync services like iCloud, OneDrive, or GitHub—or use Obsidian Sync for native syncing.
💡 Bonus Tip: Use a “Home Note” or Dashboard
Create a custom Home Page with links to your main notes (projects, goals, tasks) for easy access every time you open the app.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Obsidian offers a uniquely powerful approach to note-taking by giving you full control over your data and helping you build a network of interconnected ideas. Whether you’re a student, writer, developer, or knowledge worker, Obsidian can evolve with your workflow—turning your notes into a truly personalized productivity system.