# Obsidian Usage Guide
## Overview
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of using Obsidian for knowledge management in the cognitive modeling framework. For detailed information, see the specialized guides referenced throughout.
## Quick Start
### Installation
1. Download Obsidian from [obsidian.md](https://obsidian.md)
1. Install and open Obsidian
1. Open the cognitive modeling vault
1. Configure recommended settings
### Essential Features
- Markdown editing
- Wiki-style linking
- Graph visualization
- Plugin system
## Knowledge Organization
### Directory Structure
See [[docs/repo_docs/folder_structure|Folder Structure Guide]] for complete details.
```text
cognitive/
├── knowledge_base/ # Core knowledge
├── docs/ # Documentation
└── templates/ # Note templates
```
### Content Types
1. Knowledge Base
- Concepts
- Theories
- Implementations
- Research notes
1. Documentation
- Guides
- API docs
- Examples
- Tutorials
1. Templates
- Note templates
- Code templates
- Documentation templates
## Linking System
### Link Types
See [[docs/repo_docs/linking_patterns|Linking Patterns Guide]] for complete details.
```markdown
# Basic Links
[[filename]]
[[filename|alias]]
# Section Links
[[filename#section]]
# Block References
[[filename#^block-id]]
```
### Link Organization
- Group related links
- Use consistent patterns
- Maintain bidirectional links
- Follow naming conventions
## Templates
### Using Templates
1. Open command palette (Ctrl/Cmd + P)
1. Select "Templates: Insert template"
1. Choose appropriate template
1. Fill in template fields
### Template Types
See [[templates/template_guide|Template Guide]] for complete details.
1. Note Templates
```markdown
---
title: ${title}
type: ${type}
created: ${date}
---
# ${title}
## Overview
## Content
```
1. Documentation Templates
```markdown
---
title: ${title}
type: documentation
status: draft
---
# ${title}
## Purpose
## Usage
```
## Plugins
### Core Plugins
1. File Explorer
1. Search
1. Graph View
1. Backlinks
1. Outgoing Links
1. Tags View
### Community Plugins
See [[docs/tools/plugin_guide|Plugin Guide]] for complete details.
1. Essential Plugins
- Dataview
- Calendar
- Templates
- Mind Map
1. Development Plugins
- Code Blocks
- Mermaid
- PlantUML
- Math Preview
## Workflows
### Content Creation
1. Choose appropriate template
1. Fill in metadata
1. Add content
1. Create links
1. Add tags
1. Review and validate
### Content Organization
1. Use consistent structure
1. Follow naming conventions
1. Maintain clean hierarchy
1. Regular cleanup
### Link Management
1. Create meaningful links
1. Validate link targets
1. Add backlinks
1. Check link graph
## Best Practices
### File Management
- Use clear names
- Follow conventions
- Maintain organization
- Regular cleanup
### Content Structure
- Clear hierarchy
- Consistent formatting
- Proper metadata
- Complete documentation
### Link Hygiene
- Valid links
- Meaningful connections
- Bidirectional links
- Regular validation
## Advanced Features
### Graph View
- Node filtering
- Link filtering
- Custom colors
- Layout options
### Search
- Full-text search
- Regular expressions
- File properties
- Tag filtering
### Automation
- Templates
- Hotkeys
- Scripts
- Workflows
## Troubleshooting
### Common Issues
1. Broken links
1. Missing files
1. Plugin conflicts
1. Performance issues
### Solutions
1. Link validation
1. File verification
1. Plugin updates
1. Cache clearing
## Related Documentation
- [[docs/repo_docs/folder_structure|Folder Structure Guide]]
- [[docs/repo_docs/linking_patterns|Linking Patterns Guide]]
- [[templates/template_guide|Template Guide]]
- [[docs/tools/plugin_guide|Plugin Guide]]