Build my workspace from scratch

Customizing the workspace

When first going into a new vault I move the panes around to places I prefer.

This does and can change overtime, so nothing set in stone.

Moving panes in the workspace

Creating an organizational structure

As Obsidian is all files and folders I make the same setup each time.

This means no matter what vault I am in, I know where things are stored.

Creating a new folder

I have a “source” folder with the vault “image” folder inside.

Creating a sub-folder

Then a “projects” folder for the main research projects.

Creating a project folder

As each source or project will start of the same I use templates. So I need a template folder to store them all.

Creating a template folder

Altering the default settings

Files & Links settings

I change some settings for convenience, like turning off the file deletion message.

Turn off file deletion message

Automatic update for links.

Turn on Automatic linking

Detect all file extensions.

Detect all file extensions

Excluding the templates folder reduces the template file priorities.

This helps mainly in the quick switcher.

Exclude template folder

Editor settings

Turning readable line length off, gives me the full width of a file.

Turn off readable line length

Inside the editor settings, turning on the spellcheck.

Turn on spellcheck

Appearance settings

Using the colour picker in the appearance tab to select my preference.

Change accent colour

So I can use arrows in my files I use the “inter” font for all my font types.

Adding the inter font

Plugin settings

Some core plugins can be great for some, but not others.

I use the Obsidian sync for all of my vaults but Publish for just my Vault Craft.

Then I turn off:

  • Daily notes
  • Graph and local
Turn off core plugins

Turn on:

  • Workspaces
Turn on core plugins

Alter the settings in:

  • Backlinks for documents
  • Page preview settings change
  • Increase canvas threshold
Alter core plugin settings

There are hundreds of community plugins to pick from.

I could go without community plugins but given the choice, these would be my go-to plugins:

  • Commander
  • Dataview
  • Metadata
  • Quick add
  • Workspaces plus
Top 5 community plugins

If you use Zotero, the Zotero Integration plugin is almost a MUST-HAVE.

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About me...

Yes. That space background is my wallpaper. My first selfie turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

I’ve been researching how we learn since I was 17, and now at 27 I’ve coached, taught and advised more activities than I thought existed.

Over the last 3 years, I’ve helped thousands learn technical software.

Now I’m all-in on sharing insights into educational science.