memory-infrastructure-palace/docs/OBSIDIAN_GUIDE.md

type, created, tags

type	created	tags
reference	2026-01-26	obsidian guide tutorial

Obsidian MD for VSCode Guide

A comprehensive guide to using Obsidian MD extension within VS Code for your Memory Palace.

What is Obsidian MD for VSCode?

Obsidian MD for VSCode brings the power of Obsidian's knowledge management features directly into VS Code. You can use wiki-links, backlinks, graph view, and daily notes without leaving your editor.

Key Features

1. Wiki-Links

Create bidirectional links between notes using [[double brackets]]:

This is a note about [[Memory Techniques]] that relates to [[Spaced Repetition]].

• Ctrl/Cmd + Click on a link to navigate
• Links to non-existent notes show up differently (you can create them on click)
• Works with paths: [[docs/concepts/memory-techniques]]

2. Backlinks

See all notes that link to the current note:

• Open Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P)
• Search for "Obsidian: Show Backlinks"
• A panel shows all incoming links to current note

3. Graph View

Visualize your note connections:

• Open Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P)
• Search for "Obsidian: Open Graph View"
• See your knowledge graph with nodes (notes) and edges (links)
• Click nodes to navigate

4. Daily Notes

Quick access to today's note:

• Command Palette → "Obsidian: Open Today's Daily Note"
• Configured to save in docs/daily/ as daily-YYYY-MM-DD.md
• Great for quick captures, journal entries, and daily logs

5. Quick Switcher

Fast navigation between notes:

• Open Command Palette
• Search for "Obsidian: Quick Switcher"
• Type note name to jump to it instantly

Best Practices

Organize Your Notes

docs/
├── daily/           # Daily journals and quick captures
├── concepts/        # Evergreen, refined knowledge
├── projects/        # Project-specific documentation
├── fleeting/        # Temporary notes to process later
└── reference-material/ # Resources and references

Use Frontmatter

Add metadata to every note for better organization:

---
type: concept|project|fleeting|reference
created: 2026-01-26
updated: 2026-01-26
tags: [programming, javascript, bookmarklets]
status: draft|in-progress|complete
---

# Note Title

Link Liberally

Don't overthink links - add them as you write:

• Link to concepts: [[memory techniques]]
• Link to projects: [[paperlyte]]
• Link to daily notes: [[daily-2026-01-26]]

The graph view will reveal patterns over time.

Progressive Summarization

1. Capture - Write fleeting notes in docs/fleeting/
2. Connect - Add links to related concepts
3. Refine - Move to docs/concepts/ when mature
4. Highlight - Bold key insights
5. Summarize - Add overview sections

Zettelkasten Method

Create atomic notes (one idea per note):

# Memory Palace Technique

A mnemonic device using spatial memory.

## Core Concept

Associate information with specific locations in a familiar space.

## Related
- [[Spaced Repetition]]
- [[Mnemonic Devices]]
- [[Method of Loci]]

## References
- [[reference-material/moonwalking-with-einstein]]

MOC (Map of Content)

Create index notes for topics:

# JavaScript MOC

## Core Concepts
- [[ES Modules]]
- [[Async/Await]]
- [[Closures]]

## Projects
- [[bookmarklets/README]]
- [[scratchpad/experiments]]

## Resources
- [[reference-material/you-dont-know-js]]

Workflows

Capture Quick Thoughts

1. Open today's daily note (Command Palette → Obsidian: Open Today's Daily Note)
2. Write thoughts under ## Quick Captures
3. Add links to related notes
4. Process later by moving to permanent notes

Research & Learning

1. Create fleeting note in docs/fleeting/
2. Add source links and highlights
3. Connect to existing concepts with [[wiki-links]]
4. When understanding solidifies, refine into concept note
5. Archive or delete fleeting note

Project Documentation

1. Create project folder in docs/projects/[project-name]/
2. Add README.md as entry point
3. Link to related concepts and resources
4. Use daily notes to log progress
5. Link daily entries back to project README

Code + Documentation Together

Since this is a hybrid workspace:

# Bookmarklet: Highlight Links

## Overview
Highlights all links on a page.

## Implementation
See [[code/bookmarklets/highlight-links.js]]

## Usage
Generated via: `npm run bookmarklet -- code/bookmarklets/highlight-links.js`

## Related
- [[JavaScript Bookmarklets]]
- [[Browser DOM Manipulation]]

Keyboard Shortcuts

Configure these in VS Code settings for faster workflow:

• Quick Switcher: Set custom keybinding
• Daily Note: Set custom keybinding (e.g., Cmd+Shift+D)
• Graph View: Set custom keybinding (e.g., Cmd+Shift+G)
• Follow Link: Cmd+Click (built-in)
• Go Back: Cmd+- (VS Code navigation)

Tips & Tricks

Use Aliases in Frontmatter

---
aliases: [ML, Machine Learning, AI Learning]
---

# Machine Learning Concepts

Now you can link with any alias: [[ML]] or [[Machine Learning]]

Embed Notes

Show content from other notes:

## Memory Technique Summary
![[memory-palace-technique]]

Use Tags Strategically

---
tags: [in-progress, needs-review, high-priority]
---

Search by tag using VS Code's search: #in-progress

Combine with Todo Tree

## TODO List
- TODO: Research spaced repetition algorithms
- FIXME: Update outdated references
- IDEA: Create MOC for learning techniques

These show up in Todo Tree extension sidebar.

Use Templates

Create templates in docs/templates/:

<!-- docs/templates/concept-note.md -->
---
type: concept
created: {{date}}
tags: []
---

# {{title}}

## Overview

## Details

## Examples

## Related
-

## References
-

Obsidian vs Foam

You've switched from Foam to Obsidian MD. Here are the differences:

Feature	Foam	Obsidian MD
Graph View	✓	✓ (Better visualization)
Backlinks	✓	✓
Wiki-links	✓	✓
Daily Notes	✓	✓
Quick Switcher	✗	✓
Community	Good	Larger
Obsidian App Integration	✗	✓ Can open in Obsidian app
Performance	Good	Better for large vaults

Integration with Obsidian App (Optional)

You can also open this workspace in the actual Obsidian app:

1. Install Obsidian
2. Open as vault: /Users/fragginwagon/Developer/MemoryPalace
3. Edit in Obsidian or VS Code - they sync automatically
4. Use Obsidian's mobile app for notes on the go

Benefits:

• Richer graph view with filters
• More theme options
• Mobile app for capture
• Community plugins (dataview, calendar, etc.)

Troubleshooting

Links not working?

• Check obsidian.vaultPath in .vscode/settings.json
• Ensure path is /Users/fragginwagon/Developer/MemoryPalace

Graph view not showing?

• Create more notes with [[links]]
• Graph appears when you have interconnected notes

Daily notes in wrong location?

• Check obsidian.dailyNotePath setting
• Should be docs/daily

Resources

• Obsidian Help
• Linking Your Thinking (YouTube)
• Zettelkasten Method
• Building a Second Brain

Next Steps

1. Open today's daily note and start capturing thoughts
2. Create a few concept notes with [[links]]
3. View your graph to see connections
4. Explore backlinks panel for any note
5. Create a MOC for your main interest areas