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Obsidian for Beginners: Set Up Your First Notes

Learn a simple approach to folders, linked notes, tags and backups in Obsidian.

Guide last updated 12 October 2026

Obsidian stores notes in a vault and uses Markdown files. Start with a structure that makes notes easy to create and retrieve.

Start with a few folders

• Inbox for quick captures.
• Projects for active work.
• Reference for durable information.
• Archive for material you rarely need.

This is a starting point, not a rule. You can also keep a flatter folder structure and rely on links and search.

Link related ideas

Create links when one note explains, supports or extends another. Use tags sparingly for recurring themes that are useful to filter.

Make backups deliberate

A local vault is not automatically a backup strategy. Keep a separate backup, test that you can restore it, and understand how synchronisation works before storing sensitive information.

Add plugins slowly

Use core features first. Add a community plugin only when you can explain the problem it solves, and review its permissions and maintenance.

Official site: Obsidian

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