# Obsidian Markdown Reference

## Frontmatter

Use YAML frontmatter for durable wiki pages:

```yaml
---
title: Example Page
tags:
  - topic
  - domain/example
type: topic
status: evergreen
created: 2026-04-25
updated: 2026-04-25
aliases:
  - Alternate Name
sources:
  - "[[source-example]]"
---
```

Common fields:

- `title`: display title.
- `tags`: graph and search labels.
- `aliases`: alternate names used by Obsidian link suggestions.
- `type`: `topic`, `module`, `concept`, `entity`, `source`, `query`, `learning`.
- `status`: `seed`, `draft`, `evergreen`, `needs-review`, `deprecated`.
- `sources`: wikilinks or external citations.

Follow the vault's existing property names when they differ.

## Wikilinks

```markdown
[[Note Name]]
[[Note Name|Label]]
[[Note Name#Heading]]
[[Note Name#^block-id]]
[[#Heading In Same Note]]
```

Rules:

- Use wikilinks for internal vault relationships.
- Use heading links for review paths and precise references.
- Use aliases when the display text should differ from the filename.
- Prefer bidirectional linking when both pages benefit.

## Embeds

```markdown
![[Note Name]]
![[Note Name#Heading]]
![[image.png]]
![[image.png|300]]
![[document.pdf#page=3]]
```

Use embeds for images, PDFs, audio, video, selected note sections, and reusable examples. Keep attachment paths stable.

## Callouts

```markdown
> [!abstract]
> Page purpose or short summary.

> [!warning] Conflict
> Source A and Source B disagree on this claim.

> [!question]- Socratic Review
> What assumption makes this argument work?

> [!example] Counterexample
> A case where the rule fails.
```

Useful types: `abstract`, `info`, `tip`, `warning`, `question`, `example`, `quote`, `todo`, `success`, `failure`, `danger`.

## Mermaid

Use Mermaid for flow, hierarchy, sequence, state, and causal diagrams.

````markdown
```mermaid
flowchart LR
    Source[Source] --> Concept[Concept Page]
    Concept --> Drill[Judgment Drill]
    Concept --> Index[Index]
```
````

## KaTeX

```markdown
Inline: $f(x)=\sum_i w_i x_i$

$$
P(A \mid B)=\frac{P(B \mid A)P(A)}{P(B)}
$$
```

## Bases And Dataview-Like Views

When the vault uses Obsidian Bases or Dataview-style metadata, keep properties consistent so pages can be queried by `type`, `status`, `tags`, `updated`, and `sources`.

Use structured views for:

- source inventories
- concepts needing review
- unresolved audit items
- learning drills by topic
- reading paths

## Canvas

Use JSON Canvas when a spatial overview helps more than a linear note:

- topic maps
- argument maps
- debate maps
- book structure maps
- concept dependency graphs

Keep Canvas nodes linked to real Markdown pages whenever possible.

## Quality Checklist

- Frontmatter parses.
- Internal links use wikilinks.
- External URLs use standard Markdown links.
- Embeds resolve in Obsidian.
- Callouts use supported types.
- Mermaid and formulas are fenced correctly.
- Headings do not skip levels.
- Teaching pages include questions or exercises, not just summaries.


