Summary

Claudesidian provides a pre-configured starter kit for transforming an Obsidian vault into an AI-powered "second brain" using Claude Code. It targets users seeking to leverage AI as a collaborative thinking partner for knowledge organization, research, and idea exploration, rather than just content generation. The system integrates the PARA method for structure and Git for version control, offering enhanced productivity and knowledge management.

How It Works

This project structures an Obsidian vault to seamlessly integrate with Claude Code, enabling AI-driven knowledge management. It emphasizes an "AI thinking partner" paradigm where Claude Code actively asks questions, searches the vault for connections, and aids exploration, distinct from typical AI writing assistants. The core architecture utilizes the PARA method (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archive) for organizing notes, with optional extensions for direct image/document analysis via Gemini Vision and full-text web scraping via Firecrawl, all managed within a Git repository for version control.

Quick Start & Requirements

Installation involves cloning the repository (git clone https://github.com/heyitsnoah/claudesidian.git) or downloading a ZIP, then running the claude command followed by the /init-bootstrap setup wizard within Claude Code. The wizard automates dependency installation, analyzes existing vaults, imports data, configures AI settings, and initializes Git.

• Prerequisites: Claude Code, Git. Obsidian is recommended for a visual interface.
• Optional Dependencies: Gemini API key (for image/document analysis), Firecrawl API key (for web scraping), pnpm (for helper scripts).
• Setup: The interactive wizard guides users through configuration, including optional AI integrations and Git setup.
• Resources: Official GitHub repository: https://github.com/heyitsnoah/claudesidian. Links for Gemini and Firecrawl API keys are provided within the README.

Highlighted Details

• AI Thinking Partner: Focuses on AI-assisted research, exploration, and connection-making, distinct from content generation.
• PARA Method: Implements a structured knowledge organization system (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archive).
• Version Control: Integrated Git support for tracking changes and collaboration.
• Extensible AI: Optional integration with Gemini Vision for direct analysis of images and PDFs, and Firecrawl for comprehensive web content capture.
• Mobile Access: Achievable by setting up a remote server and using VPN/SSH clients.
• Automated Updates: /upgrade command facilitates seamless updates while preserving user customizations.
• Pre-configured Commands: Includes AI assistants like /thinking-partner, /daily-review, and /research-assistant.

Maintenance & Community

The project is actively maintained, with an /upgrade command designed to intelligently merge new features and bug fixes while preserving user customizations and data. Contributions are welcomed via standard GitHub pull request workflows. The project is built by Alephic, an AI-first strategy and software partner.

Licensing & Compatibility

The project is released under the MIT License, permitting unrestricted use, modification, and distribution, including for commercial purposes.

Limitations & Caveats

Advanced features like AI-powered document analysis and web research require obtaining and configuring separate API keys (Gemini, Firecrawl). Mobile access necessitates setting up a remote server infrastructure. The setup wizard's analysis of existing vaults may require time and careful review. Helper scripts rely on pnpm package manager.