# Metadata Extractor plugin for Obsidian Metadata Extractor, by kometenstaub, writes metadata that normally only plugins can see (tags, file paths, etc.) to JSON files on disk, on a schedule. Third-party apps (launchers, graph analysis tools) then read those files instead of parsing your vault themselves. The tag export, for example, lists each tag with its count and the paths of the notes that use it. The main use case I know: **Shimmering Obsidian**, the Alfred workflow for macOS. It needs this plugin plus [[AdvancedURI plugin for Obsidian|Advanced URI]], and reads Metadata Extractor's export instead of parsing your vault on every search. That's what lets `o pricing` in Alfred search notes, aliases, folders and headings quickly. No update since 2023. Check that it still works with your setup before you rely on it. On Windows or Linux, [[Raycast]] or plain `rg` cover similar needs without this plugin. ## References - Source code: https://github.com/kometenstaub/metadata-extractor - Community plugin page: https://obsidian.md/plugins?id=metadata-extractor ## Related - [[The Complete Guide to Obsidian Search - Find Any Note When You Need It (Article)]] - [[Search Your Obsidian Vault From Outside Obsidian (Article)]] - [[AdvancedURI plugin for Obsidian]] - [[Raycast]]