Obsidian Vault Manager

Quick start

• Register or discover vaults with Obsidian CLI first:
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py discover --merge
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py list
• Add a vault manually when needed:
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py add --path "/path/to/Vault" --name "Vault"
• Manage active workspace:
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py set-active --name "Vault"
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py set-workdir --name "Vault" --workdir "path/inside/vault"
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py active
• Run full Obsidian CLI command surface via obsidian subcommand (machine-first by default):
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py obsidian --vault "Vault" search query="meeting notes"
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py obsidian --raw --vault "Vault" read file="Project.md"
• Enable destructive commands with --force-delete:
  • python3 scripts/vault_registry.py obsidian --force-delete --vault "Vault" delete file="Old.md" permanent
• Pick a vault and confirm its path contains .obsidian/ for manual adds.

Local data and env

• If /.. is skills, project_root is two levels above the skills folder (/../../..). Confirm with the user if unsure.
• Store all mutable state under <project_root>/.skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/.
• Keep the vault registry at .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/vaults.json.
• Use .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/.env for SKILL_ROOT, SKILL_DATA_DIR, and per-skill env keys.
• Install local tools into .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/bin and prepend it to PATH when needed.
• Install dependencies under .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/venv (python/node/go/php).
• Write logs/cache/tmp under .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/logs, .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/cache, .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/tmp.
• Keep automation in /scripts and do not write outside and <project_root>/.skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/ unless the user requests it.

Vault connection workflow

1. Attempt CLI-first discovery with scripts/vault_registry.py discover; keep .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/vaults.json as the skill-owned state.
2. Register or confirm vault entries in vaults.json.
3. Set active vault with scripts/vault_registry.py set-active --name <name>.
4. Ask the user for default working folder (relative path), defaulting to vault root (.).
5. Save it with scripts/vault_registry.py set-workdir --name <name> --workdir <relative/path>.
6. Confirm the chosen vault name, vault path, and working folder before edits.

Working rules

• Use the configured working folder as the default root for searches and edits (do not roam the entire vault unless requested).
• Edit only note content and attachments unless the user asks to change .obsidian settings.
• Preserve existing frontmatter keys; add new keys without reordering unless requested.
• Keep internal links valid after rename/move; update [[Wiki Links]] and markdown links.
• For obsidian passthrough commands, destructive actions require explicit --force-delete when supported by the command.
• Confirm before delete, rename, or bulk changes.

Common tasks

Search and review

• Use rg --glob '*.md' <pattern> <vault_path> to find notes and references.
• Summarize matching files before edits.

Create a note

• Choose a filename that matches the main title.
• Add YAML frontmatter when needed (tags, aliases, status).
• Save as UTF-8 with a trailing newline.

Edit or refactor

• Keep headings and block IDs stable unless requested.
• When moving sections across notes, update inbound links and mentions.

Rename or move

• Rename the file and update links across the vault.
• For wiki links, update [[Old Name]] and [[path/Old Name|alias]].

Attachments

• Keep attachment paths relative when possible.
• Update embeds and markdown links if a file is moved.

Scripts

• scripts/vault_registry.py: list, add, remove, set active, set default working folder, show active, discover vaults, and full CLI passthrough via obsidian subcommand; writes registry to .skills-data/obsidian-vault-manager/vaults.json (override with --project-root or --data-root).
• scripts/obsidian_cli.py: machine-first wrapper used for structured command execution and CLI discovery.

References

• references/obsidian-vaults.md: config locations and vault discovery details.
• references/obsidian-markdown-skill.md: upstream Obsidian markdown skill content (format rules, links, tasks).
• references/obsidian-json-canvas-skill.md: upstream JSON canvas skill content.
• references/obsidian-bases-skill.md: upstream Bases skill content.