Obsidian

Build the mental model

Obsidian is a local-first knowledge system — each note is a plain markdown file stored inside a folder on your own computer, called a vault.

The core idea is linked thinking: Note A links to Note B, Note B to Note C, and Note C can link back to Note A — three notes become a connected network. Typing `[[Note Title]]` creates a link, and Obsidian automatically tracks backlinks.

Daily note - written each day
Atomic note - one note per single idea
Reference note - stores facts or quotes
Permanent note - an idea written in your own words

Plugins Are Optional

The plugin community adds extra features, but none are required to start — plain linking and backlinks alone are enough to begin.

Markdown: A lightweight plain-text formatting syntax (like **bold** or [[links]]) that stays readable even without special software.

Vault: Obsidian's term for a folder of markdown files that make up your entire local notebook.

Backlink: An automatic, reverse link showing which notes point to the note you're currently viewing.

text

LINKED THINKING
---------------
LINKED THINKING
-----
      +--------+
      | NOTE A |
      +--------+
       ^      ^
       |      |
       v      v
 +--------+  +--------+
 | NOTE B |<>| NOTE C |
 +--------+  +--------+

 Note A <-> Note B <-> Note C <-> Note A
 every link also creates an automatic backlink

Connect it to a real scenario

Create a vault

Write one note per topic, following the atomic-note idea.

Link with [[brackets]]

Instead of retyping, reference related topics with `[[Note Title]]`.

Check the backlinks panel

After linking, see backlinks appear automatically.

Don't overcomplicate the folder structure — links themselves act as navigation, so a deep folder hierarchy isn't necessary.

Use plain markdown and linking for about a week before installing plugins — figure out which features you actually need first.

Don't Force Structure Too Early

If a note is hard to categorize, link it loosely for now and organize later — forcing perfect structure too early is a common reason beginners abandon their vault.

Obsidian stores notes as plain markdown files in a local vault that you fully own
Linking notes with [[double brackets]] builds backlinks automatically, turning separate notes into a connected network
Obsidian rewards linked thinking, but plugins and structure are optional extras, not requirements to start

Try the working example

javascript

function buildBacklinks(notes) {
  const backlinks = {};
  for (const title of Object.keys(notes)) {
    backlinks[title] = [];
  }

  const linkPattern = /\[\[([^\]]+)\]\]/g;
  for (const [title, content] of Object.entries(notes)) {
    let match;
    while ((match = linkPattern.exec(content)) !== null) {
      const target = match[1];
      if (backlinks[target]) {
        backlinks[target].push(title);
      }
    }
  }
  return backlinks;
}

const notes = {
  "Note A": "This links to [[Note B]] about productivity.",
  "Note B": "This connects back to [[Note A]] and also to [[Note C]].",
  "Note C": "Referenced from [[Note B]], no outgoing links here."
};

console.log(buildBacklinks(notes));

You should see

{
  'Note A': [ 'Note B' ],
  'Note B': [ 'Note A', 'Note C' ],
  'Note C': [ 'Note B' ]
}

(Note A gets 'Note B' because Note B links to it. Note B gets two backlinks because both Note A and Note C link to it.)

5-minute try-it

Write three or five plain markdown note strings containing `[[links]]` yourself and run this lesson's buildBacklinks function on them. Check the result against a backlink map you worked out by hand.

One important caution

Installing a large stack of plugins before understanding plain linking and backlinks first

Never linking notes to each other, which turns the vault into disconnected files — the exact opposite of linked thinking

Create a Vault - Obsidian Help — Productivity Systems