# Obsidian CLI

Interact with Obsidian vaults using the Obsidian CLI to read, create, search, and...

- Repository: https://github.com/kepano/obsidian-skills (50569 stars)
- Category: Testing
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-09-15
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add kepano/obsidian-skills --skill obsidian-cli -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add kepano/obsidian-skills --skill obsidian-cli -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add kepano/obsidian-skills --skill obsidian-cli -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add kepano/obsidian-skills --skill obsidian-cli -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add kepano/obsidian-skills`

## Description

Interact with Obsidian vaults using the Obsidian CLI to read, create, search, and manage notes, tasks, properties, and more. Also supports plugin and theme development with commands to reload plugins, run JavaScript, capture errors, take screenshots, and inspect the DOM. Use when the user asks to interact with their Obsidian vault, manage notes, search vault content, perform vault operations from the command line, or develop and debug Obsidian plugins and themes.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Obsidian CLI

Use the `obsidian` CLI to interact with a running Obsidian instance. Requires Obsidian to be open.

## Command reference

Run `obsidian help` to see all available commands. This is always up to date. Full docs: https://help.obsidian.md/cli

## Syntax

**Parameters** take a value with `=`. Quote values with spaces:

```bash
obsidian create name="My Note" content="Hello world"
```

**Flags** are boolean switches with no value:

```bash
obsidian create name="My Note" silent overwrite
```

For multiline content use `\n` for newline and `\t` for tab.

## File targeting

Many commands accept `file` or `path` to target a file. Without either, the active file is used.

- `file=<name>`, resolves like a wikilink (name only, no path or extension needed)
- `path=<path>`, exact path from vault root, e.g. `folder/note.md`

## Vault targeting

Commands target the most recently focused vault by default. Use `vault=<name>` as the first parameter to target a specific vault:

```bash
obsidian vault="My Vault" search query="test"
```

## Common patterns

```bash
obsidian read file="My Note"
obsidian create name="New Note" content="# Hello" template="Template" silent
obsidian append file="My Note" content="New line"
obsidian search query="search term" limit=10
obsidian daily:read
obsidian daily:append content="- [ ] New task"
obsidian property:set name="status" value="done" file="My Note"
obsidian tasks daily todo
obsidian tags sort=count counts
obsidian backlinks file="My Note"
```

Use `--copy` on any command to copy output to clipboard. Use `silent` to prevent files from opening. Use `total` on list commands to get a count.

## Plugin development

### Develop/test cycle

After making code changes to a plugin or theme, follow this workflow:

The rest: https://github.com/kepano/obsidian-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/obsidian-cli/SKILL.md