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obsidian-rest-api

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Call the Obsidian Local REST API directly (over HTTP) for vault operations the mcp__obsidian__* tools do NOT expose — move/rename a note, overwrite a whole file atomically (PUT), act on the currently-open active file, run an Obsidian command, open a note in the UI, list all tags, or do date-specific periodic-note CRUD. Prefer the mcp__obsidian__* tools for plain read/append/patch/delete/search; fall back to this skill only when the required method is missing from MCP.

QUICK START

How to use this skill

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  1. Open your project in Codex.
  2. Copy the prompt below and paste it into your agent.
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I want to install this Agent Skill for this project in Codex.

Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/davepoon/buildwithclaude/blob/HEAD/plugins/all-skills/skills/obsidian-rest-api/SKILL.md

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First, summarize what it does, its dependencies, license status if identifiable, and any risks. Show the exact files you propose to add under .agents/skills/obsidian-rest-api/. Do not write files or run scripts until I approve.

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Copying this prompt does not install or run the skill. Review third-party files before use. Codex skill guide

Obsidian Local REST API

The connected obsidian MCP server exposes only a subset of the Obsidian Local REST API (plugin obsidian-local-rest-api). This skill provides the full API surface plus an authenticated request wrapper, so a missing MCP method is called over HTTP instead of being worked around with hacks (e.g. delete+recreate to rename a note).

When to Use This Skill

Use the mcp__obsidian__* tools first for read, append, patch, delete, and search. Fall back to this skill only for operations that have no MCP tool:

  • Move / rename a note (preserves history, updates internal links)
  • Overwrite a whole file atomically (PUT) instead of delete+recreate
  • Act on the currently-open "active" file in the Obsidian UI
  • Run an Obsidian command from the command palette
  • Open / focus a note in the UI
  • List all vault tags with counts
  • Create/update/delete date-specific periodic notes

What This Skill Does

  1. Resolves the API host, port, and key from the connected obsidian MCP server config (~/.claude.json) or OBSIDIAN_* env vars — no hardcoded secrets.
  2. Handles the plugin's self-signed TLS certificate.
  3. Exposes every endpoint of the Local REST API (see references/api_reference.md), with the header enums (Operation, Target-Type, Target-Scope), the custom MOVE contract, and the search (JsonLogic/Dataview) formats.

How to Use

Call the wrapper scripts/olrapi.sh <METHOD> <path> [curl args...]:

S=scripts/olrapi.sh   # adjust to the skill's install path

# rename/move a note (the most common reason to reach for this skill)
"$S" MOVE "/vault/Path/To/Old Name.md" -H 'Destination: Path/To/New Name.md'

# move into a folder, keeping the filename (trailing slash on Destination)
"$S" MOVE "/vault/Inbox/todo.md" -H 'Destination: Archive/'

# atomically overwrite a whole note
"$S" PUT "/vault/Path/Note.md" -H 'Content-Type: text/markdown' --data-binary @/tmp/body.md

# read a note as structured JSON (frontmatter + tags + stat)
"$S" GET "/vault/Path/Note.md" -H 'Accept: application/vnd.olrapi.note+json'

# list tags, run a command, open a note in the UI
"$S" GET /tags/
"$S" POST "/commands/editor:toggle-bold/"
"$S" POST "/open/Path/Note.md?newLeaf=true"

The wrapper prints <<HTTP nnn>> after the body. Success: 200/204. On MOVE, 409 means the destination exists — add -H 'Allow-Overwrite: true' to force. For non-trivial calls, load references/api_reference.md.

Path & encoding rules

  • {filename} is vault-relative (no leading slash on the vault path).
  • Percent-encode non-ASCII in URL paths and in the MOVE Destination header (e.g. r%C3%A9sum%C3%A9.md). Destination rejects absolute (/…) paths.
  • Target a sub-part of a note with Target-Type (heading|block|frontmatter)
    • Target headers on GET/PATCH/POST.

Example

User: "Rename 3-Resources/Draft.md to 3-Resources/Final.md in my vault."

Output:

scripts/olrapi.sh MOVE "/vault/3-Resources/Draft.md" \
  -H 'Destination: 3-Resources/Final.md'
# <<HTTP 204>>  — moved, history preserved, internal links updated

Tips

  • Regenerate the reference against the live plugin if it was updated: scripts/olrapi.sh GET /openapi.yaml. GET / shows the plugin version.
  • Prefer PUT over delete+recreate for whole-file overwrites — it is atomic and keeps the file's identity.
  • The API serves HTTPS on port 27124 (self-signed → curl -k) and HTTP on 27123.