obsidian-canvas

name	obsidian-canvas
description	Create, inspect, and edit Obsidian Canvas files using the JSON Canvas format. Use for `.canvas` nodes, edges, groups, file cards, text cards, links, embeds, layout, or Canvas validation.

Obsidian Canvas

Canvas files are JSON with top-level nodes and edges arrays. Nodes require unique IDs, types, positions, and dimensions. Edges require unique IDs and valid fromNode and toNode references.

Create or edit

Use direct JSON editing when the destination path and layout must be deterministic. Preserve unknown fields and use stable opaque IDs rather than array positions.

Validate syntax:

rtk jq empty "Board.canvas"

Also check for duplicate node or edge IDs and dangling edge references; JSON syntax alone is insufficient. Open the result in Obsidian for visual verification.

Use file nodes when cards should participate in backlinks and Graph view. Text-only cards do not create backlinks.

Discover more

Run rtk obsidian commands filter=canvas to discover UI commands. The standard new-Canvas command depends on the active workspace location, so prefer direct JSON when an exact path is required. Consult JSON Canvas 1.0 for the current node and edge schema.