name: obsidian-config description: Use when a task involves configuring an Obsidian vault, editing .obsidian/ settings files, managing workspace layout, hotkeys, appearance, themes, CSS snippets, or setting up vault sync and backup.

Obsidian Config

Intent Router

Load sections based on the task:

• .obsidian/ file layout and core settings → references/vault-settings-reference.md
• Community themes, CSS snippets, and appearance → references/themes-and-snippets.md
• Workspace layout, Obsidian Sync, Git backup, and mobile → references/workspace-and-sync.md

Overview

This skill covers Obsidian vault configuration: the .obsidian/ settings folder, workspace layout files, hotkey assignment, appearance and theming, CSS snippet authoring, and vault sync and backup strategies.

Use it when setting up a new vault, migrating settings between vaults, debugging broken configuration, or applying appearance customizations that go beyond built-in theme options.

Quick Start

# View the .obsidian/ folder in a file manager or terminal
ls -la /path/to/vault/.obsidian/
# Key files: app.json, appearance.json, hotkeys.json, workspace.json, plugins/

# Apply a CSS snippet: create the file, then enable it in Obsidian
mkdir -p /path/to/vault/.obsidian/snippets/
echo ".cm-s-obsidian { font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; }" > /path/to/vault/.obsidian/snippets/custom-font.css
# Then: Settings → Appearance → CSS snippets → toggle on custom-font

Preferred Workflow

1. Open Settings (Ctrl+, / Cmd+,) to change most configuration through the UI before editing JSON directly.
2. Edit .obsidian/app.json or appearance.json directly only for bulk migrations or scripted vault setup.
3. Place CSS snippet files in .obsidian/snippets/ and toggle them per-vault in Settings → Appearance.
4. Export and import hotkeys by copying .obsidian/hotkeys.json between vaults.
5. Commit .obsidian/ to Git (excluding workspace.json) to share settings across machines.

Authoring Guidance

This skill is the right fit for:

• setting up a fresh vault with consistent settings
• copying configuration between vaults
• authoring and debugging CSS snippets for visual customization
• configuring hotkeys for custom commands or plugin actions
• choosing and applying a community theme
• setting up a Git-based backup or Obsidian Sync for a vault

Appearance and Theming

Community themes install via Settings → Appearance → Themes → Manage. Themes are stored in .obsidian/themes/<theme-name>/. CSS snippets in .obsidian/snippets/ override theme styles and can be toggled independently. The cssclass frontmatter property applies per-note CSS classes for note-specific styling.

Official References

Primary sources:

• Obsidian help: https://help.obsidian.md
• Obsidian CSS snippets: https://help.obsidian.md/Extending+Obsidian/CSS+snippets

Deep-dive references for this skill:

• references/vault-settings-reference.md
• references/themes-and-snippets.md
• references/workspace-and-sync.md