Exact match
Obsidian Search
Use it when an exact word, title, heading, tag, or regex is the goal.
See the shape of a topic, then turn the right notes into context.
Smart Graph for Obsidian
Smart Graph is a Pro experimental plugin for Obsidian that helps you see clusters and neighborhoods across your indexed notes, select the sources that belong together, and act on that selection.
A list shows candidates. Smart Graph shows what belongs together. Start from a note or visible Connections results, select one cluster or neighborhood, then add the selected notes to Smart Context.
Pro experimental plugin | Best when the source set matters more than a ranked list
Select clusters and neighborhoods | Add selected notes to Smart Context | Open, copy, or capture the current view
Current note
Smart Connections
Use it when you want related notes for the note you are in right now.
Question first
Smart Lookup
Use it when you start with a question and want notes that are about that topic.
Landscape
Smart Graph
Use it when topic shape and visual source-set selection matter more than a ranked list.
Authored links
Obsidian native graph
Use it when the question is about explicit links rather than semantic similarity.
Treat the graph as a decision surface: find a promising region, select the notes inside it, then turn that source set into context.
First useful workflow
The first win is not admiring the graph. It is turning one visible region into selected notes you can use as context.
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Step 1
Start from relevant notes
Open Smart Graph from a current note or visible Connections results when available.
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Step 2
Select one region
Choose one cluster, neighborhood, or small set of promising notes worth reviewing.
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Step 3
Add to Smart Context
Turn the selected source notes into a context bundle for analysis, writing, or review.
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Step 4
Analyze or act
Use the context to identify the theme, strongest sources, gaps, and next action.
You know it worked when one visible region becomes selected notes you can use as context.
Analyze a selected cluster
After you add selected notes to Smart Context, paste the copied context into your preferred AI tool or Smart Chat with a prompt like this.
Analyze this selected Smart Graph cluster.
Return:
1. The likely shared theme.
2. The 3-5 strongest source notes and why they matter.
3. Any tensions, contradictions, or boundary notes.
4. Missing context I should inspect next.
5. A concise next action based on this cluster.
Keep claims grounded in the provided context. Treat the cluster as a starting point for review, not a perfect topic label.Why Smart Graph works
Smart Graph is useful because it reveals the shape of a topic, lets you focus without starting over, and keeps the visible nodes tied to notes you can actually use.
See what belongs together
The graph makes clusters, neighborhoods, and boundaries visible when a flat result list is not enough.
Focus after selection
Focus cluster gives you the tight slice. Neighborhood keeps that slice plus nearby context.
Act on real notes
The visible nodes are sources you can open, copy as wikilinks, add to Smart Context, or capture as a reusable image.
From list to landscape
Connections and Lookup are still the fastest way to scan ranked results. Smart Graph becomes the better surface when you need the bigger pattern, a tighter neighborhood, or a clearer source set.
Same vault, different question: native graph shows authored links, while Smart Graph scopes into semantic neighborhoods you can act on.
List surfaces
Connections and Lookup
Best when you want ranked notes for the current note or a question. They tell you what matches first.
Use Graph when the answer is not just what matches, but what belongs together.
Whole-vault landscape
Use whole vault when you want broad orientation before choosing one region.
Selected cluster
Select one cluster when a semantic area looks promising, then add the selected sources to Smart Context.
Obsidian native graph
Use native graph when explicit link structure is the question. Use Smart Graph when meaning-based neighborhoods are the question.
What to do from the graph
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✓
Select sources visually, then open the notes that anchor the area you care about.
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✓
Copy selected notes as wikilinks when you want to turn a region into a shortlist or reading trail.
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✓
Send the selection into Smart Context when exploration needs to become grounded AI work.
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✓
Focus a selected cluster or neighborhood when you need a tighter slice.
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✓
Capture the current graph when the shape tells the story faster than a paragraph or list.
When Graph appears empty or unavailable
Smart Graph depends on indexed Smart Sources and graph data. Empty or unavailable graph states usually mean one part of the setup or scoped view is not ready yet.
- Smart Sources are indexed.
- The vector index is available.
- The selected scope has graph data.
- The graph canvas is ready.
If you are still setting up Smart Plugins, check readiness before judging Graph results.
Status
Smart Graph is currently a Pro experimental plugin. The workflow, labels, and graph behavior may change while the feature stabilizes. The goal is to make visual source selection useful without turning Core into a heavier setup path.
FAQ
Quick answers to the most important questions about when to use Smart Graph, how it differs from other surfaces, and what you can do once you find a useful region.
What is Smart Graph for Obsidian?
Smart Graph maps semantically related notes as a visual landscape. It helps you see clusters, neighborhoods, boundaries, and source sets you can act on.
When should I use Smart Graph instead of Smart Connections?
Use Smart Connections when you want related notes for the note you are already writing. Use Smart Graph when you need to see the bigger pattern around a topic or selection.
When should I use Smart Graph instead of Smart Lookup?
Use Smart Lookup when you start with a question. Use Smart Graph when you want to explore a semantic area visually, see neighboring clusters, and decide what source set to use next.
How is Smart Graph different from Obsidian's native graph?
Obsidian's native graph shows links you authored. Smart Graph shows notes that appear together by meaning, even when those notes are not already linked.
Does Smart Graph still help if my notes are not heavily linked?
Yes. Smart Graph maps semantic similarity rather than only authored links. It can reveal neighborhoods of related notes even when your link structure is sparse.
What can I do after I find a useful cluster?
Select notes visually, then open them, copy wikilinks, add the selection to Smart Context, or capture the current view when the shape tells the story faster than a list.
What do Focus cluster and Neighborhood mean?
Focus cluster keeps the tightest semantic slice in view. Neighborhood keeps that cluster plus nearby connected clusters, so you keep local context without returning to the whole vault.
Are clusters perfect topic labels?
No. Clusters are starting points for review. They help you notice notes that appear together by meaning, but you decide what the region means and what belongs in the final context.
Are the nodes real notes I can act on?
Yes. The visible nodes are notes you can act on. Cluster structure helps you understand the area, but the graph is built around sources rather than decorative abstractions.
How do I get access to Smart Graph?
Smart Graph is available through the Pro plugins path today and pairs naturally with Smart Connections and Smart Context.
Start with one visible region, one selected source set, and one next action.