memory-infrastructure-palace/docs/OBSIDIAN_GUIDE.md

---
type: reference
created: 2026-01-26
tags: [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]]`:

```markdown
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:

```markdown
---
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):

```markdown
# 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:

```markdown
# 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:

```markdown
# 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

```markdown
---
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:

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

### Use Tags Strategically

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

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

### Combine with Todo Tree

```markdown
## 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/`:

```markdown
<!-- 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](https://obsidian.md/)
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](.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](https://help.obsidian.md/)
- [Linking Your Thinking (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/c/NickMilo)
- [Zettelkasten Method](https://zettelkasten.de/)
- [Building a Second Brain](https://www.buildingasecondbrain.com/)

## 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