Learn Obsidian / Installation Setup

Installation & Setup

Learn how to download and install Obsidian on your computer, and configure basic settings.

System Requirements

Obsidian is lightweight and runs on most modern computers. Here's what you need:

Windows

  • Windows 10 or later
  • At least 500 MB of free disk space
  • Any modern processor
  • No installation of additional software required

Mac

  • macOS 10.12 or later
  • At least 500 MB of free disk space
  • Works on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
  • No additional software required

Linux

  • Most modern Linux distributions
  • At least 500 MB of free disk space
  • May require additional libraries (see docs)

Mobile

  • iOS 14+ (iPhone/iPad)
  • Android 8+
  • Access to your vault via Obsidian Sync
Good news: If you can run a modern web browser, you can run Obsidian. It's one of the least resource-intensive note-taking apps available.

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Download Obsidian

  1. Go to obsidian.md/download
  2. Select your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
  3. Click the download button for your system
  4. The correct installer will download automatically

Step 2: Install Obsidian

For Windows:

  1. Find the downloaded .exe file (usually in Downloads)
  2. Double-click the installer
  3. Click "Install" when prompted
  4. Obsidian will launch automatically when installation completes
  5. You may see a Windows Defender prompt—click "More info" → "Run anyway"

For Mac:

  1. Find the downloaded .dmg file
  2. Double-click to open the disk image
  3. Drag the Obsidian icon to the Applications folder
  4. Open Applications and double-click Obsidian to launch it
  5. You may need to grant permission (System Preferences → Security)

For Linux:

  1. Download the appropriate package for your distribution
  2. Install using your package manager or run the AppImage directly
  3. See official Linux instructions for details

Step 3: Launch Obsidian

After installation, open Obsidian:

  • Windows: Search for "Obsidian" in the Start menu
  • Mac: Open Applications folder and click Obsidian
  • Linux: Launch from your application menu or terminal

You should see the Obsidian welcome screen on first launch!

Initial Setup & Configuration

Welcome Dialog

When you first open Obsidian, you'll see a dialog asking you to either:

  • Create a new vault - Start fresh with a new folder for your notes
  • Open an existing vault - Use notes you already have in a folder
  • Open folder as vault - Point Obsidian to an existing folder of Markdown notes

For now: Select "Create new vault" and give it a simple name like "My Vault" or "Research Notes". We'll create our first vault in detail in the next module.

The Obsidian Interface

Once you've created a vault, you'll see Obsidian's main interface with:

  • Left sidebar: File explorer and other navigation tools
  • Main editor: Where you write your notes
  • Right sidebar: Properties, backlinks, and other information
  • Command palette: Access to all features (press Ctrl+P / Cmd+P)

Basic Settings to Know

Open Settings (bottom left corner, gear icon) to customize Obsidian:

Editor Settings

  • Font size (for readability)
  • Line width (how wide text wraps)
  • Spell check (useful!)
  • Vim keybindings (for power users)

Display Settings

  • Light/Dark/Auto theme
  • Font family
  • Translucency (window transparency)
  • Accent color

Don't worry about settings right now—you can customize them anytime, and the defaults are pretty good!

Installation Tips

Tip 1: Where to Store Your Vault

Your vault is just a folder on your computer. We recommend storing it in:

  • Documents Folder: Easy to find and backup
  • Dropbox/OneDrive/Google Drive: If you want automatic cloud backup (but be careful with version conflicts)
  • A dedicated folder: Create a "Obsidian" or "Notes" folder to keep it organized

Best practice: Don't store your vault in a cloud folder if you're using Obsidian Sync (it can cause conflicts). Use one or the other.

Tip 2: Keep Obsidian Updated

Obsidian updates regularly with new features and bug fixes. You'll see notifications about updates in the Settings. Install updates to get the latest improvements.

Tip 3: Mobile Setup (Optional)

If you want to access your notes on iPhone or iPad:

  1. Download Obsidian from the App Store or Google Play
  2. Sign up for Obsidian Sync (free trial available)
  3. Sign in on mobile to sync your vault across devices

Note: Obsidian Sync is a paid service for syncing across devices. It's optional—Obsidian works great as desktop-only.

Troubleshooting Installation

Problem: Windows SmartScreen blocks the installer

Solution: Click "More info" → "Run anyway". This is normal for new applications.

Problem: Mac says "Obsidian is damaged" or won't open

Solution: Go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy → allow Obsidian to run.

Problem: Obsidian crashes on launch

Solution: Try these steps in order:

  1. Restart your computer
  2. Uninstall and reinstall Obsidian
  3. Check the official installation guide

Problem: Can't find where I installed Obsidian

Solution: Just search your computer for "Obsidian" in the start menu/applications folder. You don't need to know where it's installed.

You're Ready!

Congratulations! You've successfully installed Obsidian. Now you're ready to create your first vault and start taking notes!

Next step: In Module 3, we'll create your first vault together and explore the folder structure.

← Previous: What is Obsidian? Next: Creating Your First Vault →