# 12 Obsidian Plug-ins I *Actually* Use # 12 Obsidian Plug-ins I Actually Use  ## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=0s) - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] has been utilized, and many different plugins have been tried since its adoption [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=0s). - Out of the numerous plugins tested, 12 remain installed and are used almost daily [(00:00:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=5s). - The 12 plugins are presented in alphabetical order [(00:00:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=9s). ## Calendar [(00:00:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=12s) - The Calendar plugin by Liam K is one of the most well-known and installed plugins in Obsidian, working closely with daily notes [(00:00:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=12s). - It allows users to create daily notes by clicking on dates and easily search for previous days, months, or years by navigating through the widgets in the sidebar [(00:00:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=23s). - The plugin also enables users to add the days of the week to the calendar [(00:00:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=32s). - The plugin displays dots per day based on the number of words written in daily notes, but this feature can be customized by adjusting the threshold [(00:00:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=37s). - The threshold can be set to a high number, such as 5,000 words, to change the display to a single dot per day [(00:00:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=44s). - Despite not being updated in a while, the plugin still works great, at least on [[MacOS | Mac]] devices [(00:01:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=63s). - It remains one of the most downloaded and most used plugins in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:01:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=73s). ## Chord Sheets [(00:01:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=78s) - [[Chord chart | Chord Sheets]] is a niche plug-in that offers a unique feature set for formatting guitar tabs and chord sheets with lyrics. [(00:01:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=80s) - To use Chord Sheets, a code block must be created and the right command added to it, making it easier to format chord sheets with lyrics and chords above them. [(00:01:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=91s) - The plug-in allows for transposing chords, similar to what is seen on [[Ultimate Guitar]], but without premium locked features, popup videos, or chords disappearing due to licensing issues. [(00:01:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=98s) - Chord Sheets also features auto-scroll, which enables users to play the guitar without having to constantly stop and scroll down, helping to maintain timing and avoid mistakes during songs. [(00:01:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=110s) ## Footnote Shortcuts [(00:02:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=131s) - Footnote Shortcuts is a plugin that allows users to easily add footnotes using a hotkey, streamlining the footnote experience [(00:02:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=131s). - The plugin automatically adds a small footnote number and moves the cursor to the bottom of the page, allowing users to easily copy and paste links or add citations [(00:02:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=141s). - The plugin is particularly useful for university students, for whom citation can be a pain [(00:02:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=151s). - The plugin has a simple and single use, but it is a great one, making it easy to add footnotes [(00:02:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=157s). - The plugin also allows users to change the name of the footnote heading and settings if desired [(00:02:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=162s). - Overall, the Footnote Shortcuts plugin makes adding footnotes a simple and efficient process [(00:02:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=169s). ## Hider [(00:02:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=173s) - Hider is a plugin that allows users to hide features in the user interface that they do not use or want to see [(00:02:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=174s). - The plugin can be used to hide various things, but its main use is to hide fault names and toggle buttons on sidebars [(00:03:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=183s). - Hider is useful for users who prefer to always have their sidebars visible and never collapse them [(00:03:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=191s). - The plugin helps to declutter the user interface by removing unnecessary UI elements [(00:03:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=196s). - UI elements hidden with Hider can also be bound to a hotkey, allowing users to easily switch them on and off [(00:03:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=203s). ## Homepage [(00:03:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=210s) - Homepage is one of the most used plugins, allowing users to open a specific note, Canvas, or workspace upon launching [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:03:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=210s). - The homepage serves as a list of indexes or maps of content, enabling easy navigation to anywhere in the Vault by clicking [(00:03:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=219s). - The preference for using indexes over a large folder structure is discussed in a previous video [(00:03:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=227s). - Homepage can be set up to automatically open when no other notes are open, making it easily accessible [(00:03:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=239s). - The plugin adds an icon to the [[Ribbon]] menu on the left for easy navigation [(00:04:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=252s). - Users of the Obsidian mobile app can set up a separate mobile page for their homepage [(00:04:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=257s). - A hotkey can be set up to open the homepage at any time, providing an alternative navigation method [(00:04:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=264s). ## Natural Language Dates [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=271s) - Natural Language Dates is a plug-in used for adding the current time to entries using a hotkey, making it easier to write short entries in daily notes in a bulleted format [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=271s). - The plug-in is useful for interstitial journaling or rapid logging in a bullet Journal format, allowing users to quickly add the time at the beginning of each bullet point [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=279s). - The plug-in saves time by automatically adding the time, eliminating the need to write it manually, and creates less of a hurdle for journaling and dumping thoughts [(00:04:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=297s). - The plug-in also allows users to auto-suggest dates using any character, automatically adding the dates and enabling cross-linking between daily notes without having to type out the dates [(00:05:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=309s). - The feature makes working in daily notes more frictionless, making it a valuable tool for users [(00:05:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=322s). ## Omnivore [(00:05:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=328s) - [[Omnivore]] is a free, open-source reading app used for reading articles and newsletters, although it's considered less mature compared to Readwise [(00:05:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=329s). - Despite its imperfections, Omnivore is chosen over Readwise due to its free cost, as Readwise is deemed too expensive [(00:05:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=340s). - Articles are copied into the Omnivore app or added using the browser extension, then read, highlighted, and synced to [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] using the Omnivore plugin [(00:05:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=349s). - The syncing process is not seamless and has quirks, such as requiring the deletion of articles from Omnivore after syncing to avoid duplicates [(00:06:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=364s). - The benefits of using Omnivore include being able to read articles in a distraction-free location, highlighting important information, and having access to articles at any time [(00:06:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=383s). ## Paste Image Rename [(00:06:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=390s) - Paste Image Rename is a simple plug-in that creates a popup whenever an image or attachment is dragged into Obsidian, allowing for quick renaming [(00:06:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=395s). - The plug-in is useful for managing multiple screen grabs or attachments with default filenames, such as "Screen Grab 1 143" [(00:06:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=409s). - Paste Image Rename allows users to set a renaming pattern, including an option to automatically rename the image to match the title of the current note [(00:06:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=415s). - This feature enables images to have corresponding note names, making it easier to search for images in the search bar [(00:07:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=429s). ## Quick Switcher [(00:07:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=433s) - The Quick Switcher plug-in is an improved version of Obsidian's native quick switcher, allowing users to find files by headings instead of file names, search [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] bookmarks, run Obsidian commands, and navigate to related files [(00:07:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=435s). - It is particularly useful for users with multiple vaults, making it easier to switch between them [(00:07:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=450s). - The plug-in also allows users to exclude folders from search and offers various other settings [(00:07:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=457s). - One of the most useful features is the ability to show recent files, which provides a visual cue to help users remember what they were working on before getting distracted [(00:07:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=470s). - The recent files feature helps users to quickly get back on track by reminding them of the note they had previously opened [(00:08:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=494s). - This feature has proven to be highly effective in helping users to stay focused and avoid distractions [(00:08:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=501s). ## Remember Cursor Position [(00:08:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=506s) - The 'Remember Cursor Position' plugin is a simple plugin that remembers the last cursor position in a file when it was last opened [(00:08:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=507s). - This plugin is helpful for users who frequently switch between notes, as it saves time navigating back to the previous position [(00:08:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=516s). - The primary function of the 'Remember Cursor Position' plugin is to recall the last cursor position, and it performs this task effectively [(00:08:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=522s). ## Style Settings [(00:08:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=526s) - Style Settings is a plugin used in combination with the Anuchin theme to create a more colorful and customizable look in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], offering numerous options for changing the theme and adding colors [(00:08:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=527s). - The plugin brings a sense of joy, particularly with the addition of rainbow folders, and is not a necessity but rather a personal preference [(00:09:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=546s). - The import section in the Style Settings plugin allows users to easily import and export their style settings, and a link to a paste bin with the exact Obsidian style is provided in the video description [(00:09:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=551s). - To replicate the exact Obsidian style, users can download the Anuchin theme, the Style Settings plugin, and copy the settings from the provided paste bin link [(00:09:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=557s). - Users can also customize their Vault further by adding [[CSS]] Snippets, although this may not be necessary for everyone [(00:09:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=579s). - Not all themes support Style Settings, but the Anuchin theme and [[Topaz | Blue Topaz]] theme are known to be compatible [(00:09:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=590s). ## Tag Wrangler [(00:09:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=599s) - The Tag Wrangler plug-in is well-integrated into [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], making it easy to forget that it's not a native feature [(00:10:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=600s). - Tag Wrangler allows users to create subtags using a forward slash, easily nest them in the list of tags, and collapse child tags under their parent tags [(00:10:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=612s). - The plug-in also enables users to rename tags, a feature not available in native Obsidian, which has proven to be helpful in certain situations [(00:10:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=622s). - Tag Wrangler improves search functionality by allowing users to add a tag as a requirement for their search, making it possible to narrow down results to specific types of notes [(00:10:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=634s). - Users can create tag pages, which are notes linked to specific tags, although this feature is not personally used by the creator [(00:10:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=649s). - The Tag Wrangler plug-in is available for free, developed by wonderful developers who often work on these projects as side gigs without receiving much payment [(00:11:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=667s). ## On the longevity and futureproofing of plug-ins [(00:11:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=678s) - There are many [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] plugins available, but it's essential to be cautious when relying on them, as they are often side projects for developers and may not always be maintained [(00:11:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=678s). - Although plugins are open source, allowing others to pick them up if abandoned, there is still a risk of a "graveyard" of plugins in the future if Obsidian is no longer widely used [(00:11:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=692s). - It's preferable to use plugins that make note-taking easier and more streamlined, but are not crucial to the overall functionality, so that if the plugin becomes unavailable, it won't significantly impact the user's workflow [(00:11:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=703s). - Plugins that add a lot of code or drastically change the contents of a note are not considered future-proof, as they can make the note less compatible with potential future changes or updates [(00:11:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRNv4xY1qo&t=718s).