Smart Connections FAQs
Does Smart Connections cost anything?
#Smart Connections Core is free for Obsidian. You can install Smart Connections for free. Optional advanced workflows are available through Pro plugins.
Do I need an API key?
#Not for Smart Connections Core semantic retrieval.
Core can surface related notes using the default local semantic retrieval path without an API key. API keys only matter if you intentionally enable provider-backed workflows or integrations that require them.
See Getting Started.
Does Smart Connections send my notes to the cloud?
#Smart Connections Core retrieval uses local embeddings by default. Provider-backed workflows are separate and explicit: if you enable a cloud provider or send selected context to another AI tool, that provider receives the context you choose to send.
Review:
What data does Smart Connections collect?
#Your notes are used by the plugin inside your vault for local retrieval by default. Website, subscription, support, and provider-backed workflows may involve operational data or user-selected context as described in the Privacy Policy.
If you enable a cloud provider, review that provider's terms too.
Does Smart Connections work offline / without internet?
#Connections can stay useful offline after local indexing for the local retrieval path.
Internet may still be needed for installation, updates, model downloads, documentation, subscription services, or provider-backed workflows. Remote integrations remain separate from Core local retrieval.
Can I use Smart Connections on mobile?
#Smart Connections includes mobile-friendly workflows, and Footer connections are included in Core for no-sidebar use. Confirm the current platform notes before making workflow-critical mobile assumptions.
Will it slow down my vault?
#Initial indexing can be heavier for large vaults. Day-to-day retrieval is designed to be tunable through result limits, result type, and exclusions.
Use:
Pro adds a faster local performance index for larger vault workflows, without requiring a third-party vector database. Avoid treating this as a universal speed guarantee.
How do I install Smart Connections?
#Install Smart Connections from Obsidian Community Plugins, enable it, open one real note, open the Connections view, preview one result, then drag or open it if useful.
See Getting Started.
What is the first thing I should do after installing?
#Open one real note with meaningful text.
Open Connections.
Preview one result before trusting it.
If the result helps, drag it into the note or open it.
You know it worked when one useful related note from your own vault becomes actionable before you reorganize anything.
What is the difference between Connections and Lookup?
#Connections is note-first.
Lookup is question-first.
Use this rule:
Current note -> Connections.
Question -> Lookup.
Exact phrase -> Obsidian search.
Learn more:
How is this different from keyword search?
#Smart Connections surfaces notes by meaning, not just matching exact words.
Use Connections when the note you are looking at is the anchor. Use Lookup when a question is the anchor. Use Obsidian search when the exact word, filename, heading, tag, syntax, or regex matters.
Does Smart Connections replace exact search?
#No.
Connections complements exact search. It is for related notes from the current note. Lookup is for question-first semantic search. Obsidian search remains the right tool for exact phrases, filenames, headings, tags, syntax, and regex.
Do I need to reorganize my vault first?
#No.
Your vault can be useful before it is perfectly linked, tagged, or foldered. Start with one working note, preview one result, then drag or open the useful result.
Does Smart Connections replace backlinks?
#No.
Backlinks show links you already made. Connections can surface semantically related notes even when no link exists yet. When a result is useful, drag it into your note to turn relevance into an explicit link.
What does the score mean?
#Score is a ranking signal, not a grade.
Higher scores generally mean a result is closer to the current note or query according to the selected scoring path, but you should preview before trusting the result.
See Connections settings.
What are Pro plugins / what does Connections Pro add?
#Core remains useful. Connections Pro adds advanced workflows when a specific need appears.
Examples include:
- Inline connections inside the editor
- Connections in Bases
- advanced result rendering
- path and frontmatter filters
- exclude inlinks/outlinks
- scoring algorithm selection
- ranking/reranking
- larger-vault performance workflows
- Smart Graph handoff and additional graph features
See Pro plugins.
Is Graph Core or Pro?
#Core includes mini-graph behavior in the Connections list.
Pro adds additional graph-related workflows and Smart Graph handoff, including opening Connections results as a scope in Smart Graph Pro.
Use the current Connections settings and Smart Graph docs for exact availability.
Where does Smart Connections store embeddings / index data?
#Smart Environment stores local index data in your vault, including under .smart-env/.
Review storage, source, model, and exclusion settings in Smart Environment settings.
Syncthing / third-party sync: what should I ignore?
#If you use Syncthing or similar third-party sync, consider adding .smart-env/ to ignore patterns to reduce conflicts.
How do I exclude folders/files from indexing?
#Use Smart Environment exclusions when you want notes or folders excluded from indexing/embedding.
Use Connections filters when you only want to hide or focus displayed results after the dataset exists.
Start with Smart Environment settings, then tune Connections settings.
I installed Smart Connections but do not see results yet. What should I check?
#Use this order:
- Open a real note with meaningful text.
- Open the Connections view.
- Wait for initial indexing/readiness.
- Confirm the relevant notes are not excluded.
- Make sure Play is active if you expect results to update as you switch notes.
- Refresh after major edits or settings changes.
What does Sources vs Blocks mean?
#Sources return whole notes for broader, faster context.
Blocks return smaller sections for more precise matches when block indexing is configured.
Configure this in Connections settings.
How do I tune relevance?
#Do the first win before tuning.
Then adjust the minimum layer that matches the symptom:
| Symptom | Try first |
|---|---|
| Results are too broad | Lower limits, switch Sources vs Blocks, or add filters where available. |
| Results come from the wrong area | Use include/exclude filters where available, or Smart Environment exclusions for indexing scope. |
| Results are relevant but ordered poorly | Use Pro scoring/ranking controls where available. |
| Same low-value notes keep returning | Hide noise, then use feedback-aware scoring where available. |
| Similar results look like repeated work | Use Smart Dedupe for review. |
See:
How do I refresh or re-embed a specific note?
#Use Refresh in the Connections workflow when results for the current note feel stale.
For model changes or broader rebuilds, use Smart Environment settings.
I changed embedding models but results did not change. Why?
#Changing embedding models usually requires rebuilding index data so your vault is represented with the new vectors.
Review Smart Environment settings.
What embedding model does Smart Connections use by default?
#Default local embedding model: TaylorAI/bge-micro-v2.
Model defaults can change by release, so check Smart Environment settings before publishing model-specific claims elsewhere.
Where is Smart Chat?
#Smart Chat is a separate Obsidian plugin.
Smart Connections focuses on related notes and Lookup. Smart Chat handles chat workflows, thread continuity, and provider routing.
Can I mix Smart Plugins with Obsidian Copilot?
#Yes, you can run Smart Connections alongside Obsidian Copilot. If features overlap, adjust hotkeys and keep the workflows you prefer.
Is Smart Connections open source?
#Smart Connections is source-available under the Smart Plugins License. It is not OSI open source because the license includes restrictions on direct general-purpose competing Obsidian offerings.
See the GitHub repository and license page.