# Obsidian URI
Obsidian URI is the custom `obsidian://` protocol that [[Obsidian]] registers with the operating system. It lets any external application (browser, launcher, task manager, script) open vaults, jump to notes, run searches, and create content. No plugin needed; this is the official way to control Obsidian from the outside.
The format is simple:
```
obsidian://action?param1=value1¶m2=value2
```
All parameter values must be URI-encoded: space becomes `%20`, `/` becomes `%2F`. Forgetting this is the number one reason a link "doesn't work".
## Actions
| Action | What it does | Key parameters |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `open` | Open a vault, a note, or a heading within a note | `vault`, `file` (vault-relative, `.md` optional), `path` (absolute), `append`/`prepend` |
| `new` | Create a note | `vault`, `name` or `file`, `content`, `clipboard`, `silent`, `append`, `overwrite` |
| `daily` | Open or create today's daily note | Same as `new`; needs the [[Daily notes core plugin for Obsidian]] |
| `unique` | Create a Zettelkasten-style unique note | `vault`, `content`, `clipboard`; needs the [[Unique note creator core plugin for Obsidian]] |
| `search` | Open the search pane with a query | `vault`, `query` |
| `choose-vault` | Open the vault switcher | none |
| `hook-get-address` | Return the current note's address (x-callback-url) | Used by Hookmark-style integrations |
Two shorthand forms exist:
- `obsidian://vault/My Vault/My Note` is equivalent to `open` with `vault` and `file`
- `obsidian:///absolute/path/to/note` is equivalent to `open` with `path`
## Examples
```
# Open a note (path relative to the vault root)
obsidian://open?vault=Notes&file=Ideas%2FMy%20Note
# Jump straight to a heading inside a note
obsidian://open?vault=Notes&file=My%20Note%23Some%20Heading
# Silent capture: create a note without switching to Obsidian
obsidian://new?vault=Notes&name=Quick%20Capture&content=An%20idea&silent=true
# Append to an inbox note instead of creating a new file
obsidian://new?vault=Notes&file=Inbox&content=New%20line&append=true
# Open or create today's daily note
obsidian://daily?vault=Notes
# Search the whole vault
obsidian://search?vault=Notes&query=knowledge%20management
```
The fastest way to get a valid link: run **Copy Obsidian URL** from the [[Obsidian Command Palette]] on any open note.
## Good to know
- Links only work on machines where Obsidian is installed and the target vault exists.
- Windows and macOS register the protocol automatically on install. On Linux, it requires an `obsidian.desktop` file with `Exec=<executable> %u`.
- Actions support `x-success` callbacks (x-callback-url), so calling apps can get back the created note's name and URL.
- The native actions cover opening, creating, and searching. To go further (execute commands, apply templates, set frontmatter, navigate to blocks), the [[AdvancedURI plugin for Obsidian]] extends the same scheme.
## References
- Official documentation: https://help.obsidian.md/Extending+Obsidian/Obsidian+URI
- x-callback-url specification: https://x-callback-url.com/
## Related
- [[Obsidian]]
- [[Obsidian URL Deeplinks]]
- [[How to create deep links in Obsidian]]
- [[AdvancedURI plugin for Obsidian]]
- [[Obsidian CLI]]
- [[Obsidian Command Palette]]
- [[Daily notes core plugin for Obsidian]]
- [[Unique note creator core plugin for Obsidian]]