Getting Started with Smart Chat
Smart Chat keeps conversations where your work lives.
Start with Core chat codeblocks when you want provider thread URLs and active/done state saved in the originating note. Use the Pro workspace when you need local/API model routing, full-height chat, persistent Smart Chat threads, search, and deeper context controls.
Core vs Pro (API Extension)
| Core (free) | Pro (API extension) |
|---|---|
| Chat codeblocks inside notes | Dedicated Smart Chat view |
| Uses provider web UIs (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) | Routes to local + API models via Smart Environment |
| Saves provider thread URLs and active/done state in Markdown | Persistent Smart Chat thread history + search |
| Good for note-attached continuity with external providers | Good for longer vault-grounded sessions and context review |
| Desktop-first embedded chat UI; mobile remains useful as a thread bookmark list | Full Smart Chat workspace inside Obsidian |
Why this is more than generic chat
Smart Chat does not have to replace your chat provider.
It makes the thread belong to the note, so you can return, review, mark done, and continue from the work item.
Smart Loop:
The note, not the chat tab, is the durable unit of AI work.
Smart Chat proves this in a concrete way: the thread URL and state can be saved in the note where the work belongs.
The thread is not the deliverable.
The thread is the delegated work-state. The deliverable is saved or promoted only after review.
Mobile vs desktop
| Platform | What to expect | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop | Embedded provider UI, thread controls, save URL, mark active/done | Full Smart Chat codeblock workflow |
| Mobile | Codeblock remains useful as a thread bookmark list; embedded web UI does not render the same way | Continuity and recovery of saved threads |
On mobile, treat Smart Chat codeblocks as a lightweight thread index attached to the note. The continuity value still matters, but the full embedded chat experience is desktop-first.
Related pages
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Smart Chat overview for the full Core vs Pro walkthrough.
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Smart Chat codeblocks for provider codeblocks, mobile behavior, and thread state.
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Smart Chat settings to configure defaults.
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Smart Chat API integration for local + API models.
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Smart Chat getting started story for a narrated walkthrough.