Note-taking with Obsidian

Exercise 1: Set up your daily notes workflow

In this exercise, you will set up a simple daily notes workflow that you can keep using after the workshop.

Step 1: Create the required folders

Create the following folders in your vault:

  1. A folder for your daily notes (for example: log or daily)
  2. A folder for templates (templates or zzz_templates if you want it at the bottom of your folder list)

Step 2: Create a daily note template

  • In the templates folder, create a new note called daily_template
  • Add the following basic content to the file

Use the copy button (top-right corner) to copy the content

Don’t highlight the text and use copy-paste. If you do this, the text will appear as a “code block” in your note and you have to delete the first and last line that look like this: ```

# {{date}}
 
## Tasks
- [ ] Check mails
 
## Log

The value {{date}} will always be replaced with the date of note creation.

Step 3: Configure daily notes

Now we tell Obsidian to use the template for each new daily note:

  • Open Settings (gear icon bottom left)
  • Go to Daily notes (under “Core plugins”)
  • Set:
    • New file location → your daily notes folder (log / daily or whatever you called it)
    • Template file location → templates/daily_template or zzz_templates/daily_template depending on your folder name

I don't see the Daily notes plugin

Double check that the plugin is enabled. Go to Settings → Core plugins, scroll through the list and check if the Daily notes are turned on.

Step 4: Install the Calendar plugin

The Calendar plugin makes it easier to create and navigate daily notes.

  • Open Settings → Community plugins
  • Enable community plugins (if not already enabled)
  • Click Browse
  • Search for Calendar (it should be on the very top of the list, created by Liam Cain)
  • Install and enable it

The Calendar should now appear in the right sidebar (if not, unfold the sidebar in the top right).

Step 5: Create 2-3 daily notes

Now let’s test your setup:

  • Use the Calendar to create today’s daily note
  • Add at least one task (checkbox) for today Then:
  • Create daily files for other days of the upcoming week
  • Add some tasks or other things that are coming up to the respective daily notes (can be real or invented tasks/meetings)

Optional tasks (for the fast ones)

You can do these in any order or skip them and take a break.

Customize your daily template

The daily note should reflect you own workflow and needs. Keep it as simple or complex as you want.

  1. Think about your own work routine:
    • Do you have recurring tasks you do every day?
    • What information would be useful to see in the morning when you create your daily note?
  2. Modify the daily template accordingly:
    • Add new sections that fit your workflow (examples could be “Meetings”, “Notes to self”, “Reading”, …)
    • Add recurring tasks (if you have them)
    • Delete sections you don’t need

Test your updated template

Use the Calendar to create a new daily note. Dose the template insert what you expected? Is it useful? Adjust the template if needed and test again.