Smart Chat FAQs
What problem does Smart Chat solve?
#Smart Chat stops valuable chats from becoming orphaned browser tabs by keeping threads attached to the notes they serve.
Do I need an API key?
#Not for Core chat codeblocks. They use provider web UIs. Smart Chat API Extension is the Pro workspace for local and cloud API models.
Core codeblocks vs Smart Chat Pro?
#Core codeblocks embed provider web UIs in notes and save thread URLs plus active/done state. Pro adds a dedicated Obsidian chat workspace with model routing, history search, context review, and per-thread controls.
Which providers do codeblocks support?
#Codeblocks support ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Perplexity, DeepSeek, AI Studio, Open WebUI, Kimi, and related aliases. See Smart Chat codeblocks.
Does Smart Chat work on mobile?
#On mobile, codeblocks remain useful as thread bookmark lists, but embedded web UIs rely on desktop webview support and do not render the same way. See Smart Chat codeblocks.
How do I save or bookmark a thread?
#Add a Smart Chat codeblock to the owning note, start or open a provider thread, and Smart Chat saves the thread URL into Markdown once the provider URL becomes a real thread link.
What do Active and Done mean?
#Active means still relevant or waiting on review. Done means you reviewed the thread and closed the loop for now. These are user-owned states. See Chat Inbox.
Does Done mean the AI finished correctly?
#No. Done is a user-owned tracking state, not a claim about model correctness. Promote output into trusted notes only after review. See Smart Loop.
Is Chat Inbox the same as Thread Manager?
#No. Chat Inbox reads note-attached chat-active:: and chat-done:: fields. Thread Manager manages Smart Chat API Extension thread records directly.
Does the Dataview Chat Inbox work without Pro?
#Yes. The Dataview dashboard works with note-attached Smart Chat codeblock fields. Smart Chat API Extension thread management is a separate Pro workflow.
Should I delete done thread links?
#Not automatically. Done thread links can be useful history. Delete them only after reviewing the note and deciding the reference no longer helps.
Can I use local or API models?
#Yes, with Smart Chat Pro. API Extension routes to local and cloud API models through Smart Environment and lets you review context before sending.
How do I configure an API key?
#Open Chat settings, choose the provider, paste your API key, save, then select the model from the Smart Chat header. See API Extension.
How do I keep a thread from drifting?
#Review attached context before sending, keep stable constraints in custom instructions, and exclude irrelevant message pairs from future context when early turns were exploratory or wrong.
What if provider sign-in is difficult?
#Use Obsidian Web Viewer to complete sign-in, then refresh the embedded codeblock. If verification loops continue, clear Web Viewer browser data. See Smart Chat codeblocks.