Thread by @_MikeSchmitz

Obsidian is more than just a note-taking app. It's actually a pretty phenomenal plain text editor if you know how to set it up right.

Here's a few tips for turning @obsdmd into the ultimate writing app 👇🏼🧵

First, make sure you have the Editor settings set up right. Here are a few I recommend:

- Make Editing View the default
- Toggle Auto pair Markdown Syntax ON
- Toggle Smart Indent Lists ON
- Toggle Fold Heading & Fold Indent ON

These will make writing in Obsidian MUCH easier.

Next, replace the built-in word count plugin.

The default gives you stats for the note. But if you use the Better Word Count community plugin, you can get word/character counts for selected text too.

But make sure to toggle off the Word Count core plugin to avoid duplication.

I also like to see how long it will take the reader to get through the article I'm writing. This was a feature I really missed from Ulysses.

Fortunately, you can add this feature back in with the Reading Time community plugin.

If you use Footnotes, you'll also want to add the Footnotes Shortcut community plugin.

You can assign separate hotkeys for both numbered and named footnotes, allowing you add footnotes to your writing without taking your hands off the keyboard.

Obsidian is a Markdown-based text editor, but Markdown can be tricky for some people.

If that's you, check out the cMenu community plugin which adds a floating bar that lets you add markdown-formatted styling to your text.

The interface in Obsidian can be a bit clunky. If you have trouble focusing on the text you're writing, try using the Focus Mode community plugin.

When activated, it shows the current window/tab only and hides all the sidebars and buttons.

For even more focus on what you are currently writing, you can enable the Typewriter Scroll plugin.

This plugin has 2 modes:

1. Force the currently selected line to stay centered vertically
2. Zen Mode highlights the current line and grays out everything else.

That's a wrap!

If you enjoyed this thread, 2 other things to check out:

1. I offer Daily Obsidian Tips via email at dailyobsidiantips.com
2. I'm about to kickoff a 4-week cohort to help people be more productive and creative in Obsidian at obsidianuniversity.com