Obsidian already comes packed with note-taking features. But just because something works doesn't mean you shouldn't improve it. Obsidian plugins are here for that purpose.

Obsidian plugins can enhance your note-taking experience and boost your productivity. With some plugins, you can even repurpose Obsidian into something other than a note-taking app. Let's review the different methods you can use to install Obsidian plugins.

Method 1: Use the Community Plugins Browser

The community plugins browser is the easiest way to add plugins to your Obsidian workspace. Community plugins are plugins that the Obsidian team has approved, and you can directly download them from the Obsidian app.

Here's how you can install Obsidian plugins with this method:

  1. Open Obsidian and click on the settings icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
  2. Click on the Community Plugins tab.
  3. Click on Turn on community plugins button.
  4. Click on Browse.
  5. Find and select the plugin you want to install. We're going to install the Kanban plugin for Obsidian.
  6. Click the Install button in the plugin's page to add it to your workspace.

Once you've installed the plugin, you can activate it from the same page by clicking on Enable.

Alternatively, you can always enable and disable plugins from the settings. Just go to the Community Plugins tab and toggle the switch next to the plugin's name.

Method 2: Manually Install Obsidian Plugins

It takes some time for the Obsidian team to review and verify plugins, so newer plugins might not be available directly from Obsidian. Regardless of being on the community plugins list, all Obsidian plugins are hosted on GitHub, and you can manually download and install them.

So whether the plugin you want isn't available in the community plugins or you're having problems with the plugin browser, you can safely rely on this method to install Obsidian plugins. Here's how:

  1. Find the plugin you want to install on GitHub.
  2. Download the latest release of the plugin.
  3. Extract the plugin files to a folder on your computer.
  4. Go to the Settings menu in Obsidian.
  5. Go to Community plugins.
  6. Click the folder icon next to Installed plugins to open the folder where your Obsidian plugins are stored.
  7. Copy the extracted plugin folder to the Obsidian plugins folder.

Note that you should copy the folder containing the plugin files into the plugins folder, not the plugin files themselves. The folder will usually contain three files. Your plugins folder should look like the image above, with each plugin in a separate folder.

Once you've copied the plugin files, you can activate it by toggling the switch next to the plugin name in Obsidian's Community plugins tab.

Get More Out of Obsidian With Plugins

One of the best features of Obsidian is that you can install plugins and further enhance its functionality. Installing plugins in Obsidian is a straightforward process that can help you customize your workspace and boost your productivity.

Plugins can make your note-taking experience more enjoyable and productive, so don't hesitate to try them out!