Obsidian

Obsidian is described as a personal knowledge base and note-taking app built on Markdown and plain text. The post presents it as a file-based tool without lock-in or a database, with notes that can be linked into a network of ideas.

It emphasizes simplicity, portability, and customization through plugins, themes, and scripts. The author says it supports commonplace-book style note-making, helps connect ideas, and stays out of the way so users can keep their notes local and leave the format easily.

Reading notes

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• The page defines Obsidian as a personal knowledge base and a note app that uses Markdown and plain text.
• The text highlights that there is no lock-in or database involved.
• The author says they have used Obsidian since the beta phase, in 2020, and that the tool has improved a lot in handling large files and folders.
• The simplicity, minimalism, and cleanliness of the app are linked to Steph Ango’s philosophy and the principle of “File over App”.
• Obsidian is presented as a way to organize notes as a commonplace, helping to think, see, and connect ideas.
• The text states that human thoughts are not linear and that the app follows this movement by allowing ideas to form networks.
• The notes are described as nodes in relation to other notes, creating a kind of second brain that structures knowledge.
• The app is associated with depth, slowness, and writing that grows over time, in opposition to distraction.
• There is no cloud lock-in or mandatory account, and the notes remain local and portable.
• The text says that Obsidian is hackable and can be shaped with plugins, themes, and scripts.
• The design is described as quiet and humble, offering space instead of imposing productivity.
• The page concludes that Obsidian is not for everyone, but it is valuable for those who want to think carefully, connect ideas, and leave without being stuck in a format.