Obsidian Sync introduces a command-line interface for headless vault synchronization, enabling automated workflows and CI pipelines without the desktop app.
Obsidian Sync has launched a headless client that enables vault synchronization through the command line, eliminating the need for the desktop application. This new tool, currently in open beta, allows developers and power users to integrate Obsidian vault management into automated workflows, CI pipelines, and custom scripts.
The headless client maintains the same security standards as the desktop app, including end-to-end encryption for vaults configured with that option. Users can choose between standard managed encryption or E2EE, with the latter requiring a password that's never stored on Obsidian's servers.
Installation is straightforward through npm: npm install -g obsidian-headless. Users need an active Obsidian Sync subscription to authenticate and access their vaults. The tool provides commands for listing remote vaults, setting up sync configurations, running one-time or continuous synchronization, and managing vault settings.
Key commands include ob sync-setup for connecting local directories to remote vaults, ob sync for synchronization operations, and ob sync-config for adjusting sync preferences like conflict resolution strategies and file type filtering. The continuous mode watches for file changes and automatically syncs updates, making it suitable for real-time backup scenarios.
For Windows and macOS users, the tool includes a native addon that preserves original file creation timestamps when downloading files from the server. This feature addresses a common pain point in file synchronization where metadata gets lost during transfers. Linux users should note that birthtime support isn't available on that platform.
Before using the headless client, Obsidian recommends backing up data and avoiding simultaneous use of both the desktop app and headless client on the same device to prevent conflicts. The tool is designed for users who need programmatic access to vault synchronization without the overhead of the full desktop application.
This development expands Obsidian's ecosystem beyond its core note-taking application, positioning it as a platform that can integrate with broader development and automation workflows. The headless client particularly benefits teams using Obsidian for documentation, knowledge management, or collaborative writing who want to incorporate vault operations into their existing tooling infrastructure.
Comments
Please log in or register to join the discussion