Fastest path
Copy the current note at Depth 0 or 1
Best when one note already anchors the assignment. Use Depth 0 when the note is enough and Depth 1 only when direct links hold ground truth.
Smart Context
Stop pasting vague prompts. Build grounded context packages from your actual notes, then reuse them across ChatGPT and other AI tools.
Smart Context assembles the package in Obsidian. Content leaves when you paste, export, or send it to another tool. A configured cloud embedding or ranking provider can separately receive eligible source text during Smart Environment processing.
Core: copy notes and folders, choose current-note link depth, save named contexts | Pro: media, external sources, dynamic groups, and Rules
Fastest first win: follow the Getting Started guide and copy one reviewable context bundle today.
Copy your first reviewable context bundle
Better AI output usually starts before the model. Smart Context helps you copy the right notes in the right shape so the assignment stays grounded and reviewable. Start with the smallest context that makes the assignment understandable.
Selected scope
Copy selected notes or a project folder
Best when the scope is already chosen. Copy a small folder, file-nav selection, or short set of notes instead of the whole vault.
Learn: Use file navigator actions to copy notes and folders as context
Repeatable work
Build a reusable context pack
Best when you repeat the same work. Save a named context once, then reuse it across chats and projects.
Want outputs that stay consistent? Use templates in Settings so every export has the same structure (headers, metadata, file tree).
Want the shortest reliable loop? Copy a note at Depth 0 or 1, then prompt: "Use only this context. Extract constraints first, then propose next actions."
When should you use each Smart Context path?
- Need first value fast? Start with current-note copy.
- Need reusable packs? Build named context sets in the Builder.
- Need deterministic output format? Configure template wrappers in Settings.
- Need external files for coding workflows? Pin manifests with the Codeblock workflow (Pro).
Is Smart Context the right workflow for you?
Use Smart Context when your notes already contain the answer, but your AI replies still drift because the right evidence is not packaged together.
Great fit
- You already keep project notes, meeting notes, or research hubs in Obsidian.
- You need consistent context bundles for repeated tasks (status updates, prep briefs, drafting).
- You want to review exactly what travels before sending context to any model.
Start here if you are new
- Run the Getting Started guide first.
- Then copy the current note and select a link depth.
- When you need repeatable packs, build a named context set.
Pick a workflow
This is where Smart Context pays off: when your notes are right, but your prompts are not. Choose the job that matches your current friction and copy a pack that fixes it.
Project working set
If every new chat starts with backstory, save a named pack once and reuse it.
Include: brief, constraints, decisions, latest status. Build it in the Builder .
Prompt starter
"Using only this context, summarize current state, risks, and the top 5 next actions. Cite the note title for each claim."
Meeting continuity
If decisions keep getting lost between meetings, export a reliable prep + follow-up bundle.
Include: agenda, last notes, decisions, open tasks. Copy via Clipboard (or save as a named pack).
Prompt starter
"Draft a prep brief and follow-ups with owners. Pull action items from the context and keep wording concise."
Research brief
If your hub note cites the real sources, copy it with Depth 1 so the references come along.
Include: hub note + cited notes. Use Depth 1 to stay grounded.
Prompt starter
"Summarize, list open questions, and cite sources by note title. If evidence conflicts, call it out explicitly."
Voice + draft pack
If your writing help keeps drifting, bundle your rules and examples with the draft.
Include: outline, draft, tone rules, 1-3 examples. Standardize output with templates .
Prompt starter
"Continue the draft in my voice. Follow the outline. Use only the provided references for claims."
Context budget triage
If context keeps exceeding limits, treat depth and blocks as budget controls.
Start at Depth 0. Expand only when needed. Use the size estimate as a budget signal.
Prompt starter
"If this is too large, tell me what to remove first (in order) while preserving constraints and ground truth."
Visual troubleshooting (Context Pro)
If the truth lives in screenshots, diagrams, or PDFs, export visuals alongside text.
Use Copy context with images and PDFs and paste into an image-capable model.
Prompt starter
"Use both the text and images. Call out any visual gaps or mismatches with the written notes."
Coders and agents: pin external repos and files inside a note with the Codeblock workflow (Context Pro).
Smart Context Core vs Context Pro
Core includes reviewed note packages, named reuse, and basic Canvas and Bases sources. Choose Context Pro when the task needs media, external files on desktop, dynamic source groups, Rules, or richer Bases rendering.
Core plugin
Smart Context Core
Build precise bundles of notes and reuse them across prompts and projects.
- ✓ Choose link depth for current-note copy. Copy selected notes or folders directly without a depth chooser.
- ✓ Save and reopen named contexts in Core. Recheck the resolved sources before reuse.
- ✓ Add supported Canvas and Bases files as basic note sources.
- ✓ Template-driven exports for stable formatting and metadata.
Pro plugin Advanced context sources
Context Pro
Advanced tools for context engineering: external sources, media-aware exports, and agent-ready outputs.
- ✓ Export context with images and PDFs so visual ground truth is not lost.
- ✓ Include external repos/files on desktop when the required sources live outside the vault.
- ✓ Use dynamic folder and tag groups, Rules, heading filters, and richer Bases rendering when the task needs them.
If your account already shows active Pro access in the Smart Plugins Store, use that access; you do not need another subscription. Check the signed-in account's access status rather than assuming every supporter pledge enables every Pro workflow.
Docs and next steps
Start simple, then level up to reusable packs, predictable templates, and Pro workflows.
Get started
Getting Started
Screenshots + the fastest first-win workflows.
Copy loop
Copy notes and folders as AI-ready context
Choose current-note depth, or copy an already-selected set of notes or folders directly.
Reuse
Build and save reusable context packs
Save trusted context packs and reopen them instantly.
Format control
Control Smart Context templates and export format
Standardize wrappers, metadata, and file tree output.
Core manifest; Pro external sources
Attach a Smart Context codeblock to a note
Core manifests can reference notes and named contexts. Pro adds supported external include and exclude paths on desktop.
File navigator
Use file navigator actions to copy notes and folders as context
Copy selected notes, folders, or curated file-nav selections without opening another surface.
Current note
Copy the current note with link-depth control
Start from the note you are already working in and choose how far links should expand.
Canvas
Copy context from Obsidian Canvas files
Use a visual project map as the starting point for copied AI context.
Context Pro
Copy context with images and PDFs
Include visual ground truth when text alone is not enough.
Saved packs
Reopen and reuse saved named contexts
Turn recurring project context into a reusable working set.
Structure
Apply reusable prompt structure with Smart Templates
Context supplies the evidence; Templates supplies the repeatable form.
Upgrade
Unlock advanced Smart Plugins Pro workflows
Context Pro, Smart Chat, and more advanced workflows.
FAQ
Quick answers to the highest-intent pre-install questions about compatibility, privacy, first wins, token budgets, and Pro workflows.
What is Smart Context for Obsidian?
Smart Context helps you build grounded context packages from your actual Obsidian notes, then reuse them across ChatGPT and other AI tools. It reduces vague prompts by helping you copy the right notes in a clean, repeatable format.
Can I use Smart Context with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Smart Chat?
Yes. Smart Context is clipboard-based, so you can paste exported context into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Smart Chat, or another AI tool. The same context bundle can be reused anywhere that accepts pasted text.
Does Smart Context keep my notes private and local-first?
Smart Context assembles the package in Obsidian. Content leaves when you paste, export, or send it to another tool. A configured cloud embedding or ranking provider can separately receive eligible source text during Smart Environment processing. Review providers and data boundaries in Smart Environment settings and the Privacy Policy.
What is the fastest way to get started with Smart Context?
Copy the current note with Depth 0 or 1, then paste it into the AI tool or Smart Chat thread you already use. You know it worked when the copied bundle is small enough to inspect and includes the context the assignment needs.
Should I copy the current note, a whole folder, or build a reusable context pack?
Use the current note when one note anchors the task, a folder when the project already lives together, and a reusable pack when you need a curated working set you will reopen across sessions.
How does link depth work in Smart Context?
Depth 0 copies the starting note. Depth 1 adds directly linked notes. Depth 2 adds links of links, and deeper levels expand further. Start small and expand only when the extra evidence is needed. See Clipboard + depth.
How do I keep Obsidian AI context under token limits?
Start at Depth 0, expand only when needed, and use the size estimate as a budget signal. If one note is too large, switch to a smaller selection or a curated pack instead of copying the entire folder.
Can I save reusable context packs or named contexts?
Yes, in Core and Pro. The Builder lets you create, name, reopen, and reuse reviewed context sets across tasks. Recheck source availability and size before reuse; in Pro, check Rules too.
Can I customize the exported prompt format and file tree?
Yes. Settings lets you customize context templates, item templates, wrappers, file paths, and file tree output so exports stay stable across workflows.
What does Context Pro add over the free Smart Context Core plugin?
Core covers note and section selection, current-note link depth, direct folder copy, named contexts, codeblocks, template-driven exports, and basic Canvas and Bases sources. Context Pro adds media and ZIP outputs, external files on desktop, dynamic groups, Rules, heading filters, and richer Bases rendering.
Can I include images, PDFs, repos, or external files in my AI context?
Yes, with Context Pro. Copy media creates a composite image from supported images and PDF pages. Run Copy text separately when the task also needs written sources. The Codeblock workflow can include supported external repos or files on desktop.
Can I use Smart Connections results to build a context pack?
Yes. You can send results from the Connections view to Smart Context, remove noise, and copy the curated pack. See the Connections view guide.
Build your first context pack now and watch your prompts level up. Start with the free Core plugin, then add Context Pro when you need media, external sources, and agent-ready bundles.