Chat with your notes in Obsidian
The biggest problem with AI in your workflow is not the model.
It is that the conversation gets separated from the work.
Smart Chat keeps AI threads attached to the notes they reference so you can pick up cleanly tomorrow.
- Start free with chat codeblocks inside notes
- Keep using your favorite web UI
- Bookmark threads back into the note
- Pro option: a full-height workspace with vault-aware context and review before sending
Start here
What changes when chat lives in your vault
When chat is tied to the note:
- decisions stay attached to the project that needs them
- follow-ups do not disappear in browser history
- your vault becomes a working memory, not a storage bin
This is the difference between "one helpful answer" and a reusable workflow.
Two ways to use Smart Chat
Option A: Chat codeblocks in notes
Use this when you want the simplest possible workflow.
- Add a chat codeblock to the note where the thread belongs.
- Open the thread in your preferred web UI.
- Smart Chat stores the thread link in the note so you can resume later.
- Mark the thread done when it is complete.
You can use it for:
- project notes
- meeting notes
- drafts
- research
Option B: Smart Chat Pro workspace
Use this when you want vault-aware context, local or API models, and long-running threads without tab sprawl.
With Pro you can:
- run a dedicated full-height chat inside Obsidian
- share models and providers across Smart Plugins via Smart Environment
- apply per-thread instructions on top of a default system prompt
- auto-suggest relevant notes, then review what context is included before sending
- keep persistent, searchable threads in chat history
The workflow in 3 minutes
- Install Smart Chat.
- In Obsidian, open Smart Chat and pick your model:
- local engine like Ollama, or
- an API provider such as OpenAI, Anthropic, or Gemini
- Ask a self-referential question, like:
- "Summarize what I wrote about it last week."
- Click "Retrieve more" if you want additional matches.
- Review the suggested context and send.
Turn on "Review context" so you approve what gets sent before the model responds.
A few workflows that fit how people actually use Obsidian
Draft with receipts
Ask for a draft and have Smart Chat pull supporting notes so you are not rewriting context from memory.
Meeting follow-up that stays connected
Keep the meeting note, the decisions, and the AI-generated follow-up email in the same place.
Weekly planning with your real constraints
Ask for a plan that references your existing notes instead of generic advice.
FAQ
Do I need an API key?
Not to start. Free chat codeblocks can use your existing web UIs.
If you use models through Smart Environment, API providers may require a key.
Can I use local models?
Yes. You can choose a local engine like Ollama in settings.
Can I see what gets sent to the model?
Yes. Pro supports context review, so you can approve the retrieved context before generating a response.
How is this different from pasting notes into ChatGPT?
You do not have to rebuild context from scratch every time.
Threads stay attached to the note, and Pro can pull vault context automatically.
Next step
If you want a clean workflow today:
- Explore and install Smart Chat
- Add one chat codeblock to a note you already use weekly
If you want vault-aware chat and a dedicated workspace: