frontmatter-parser

name	frontmatter-parser
description	Parse YAML frontmatter from markdown notes into structured data. Use when searching, filtering, or querying notes by their metadata properties (created, tags, author, summary, TOPIC, PRIOR, NEXT, RELATED_TO, etc.). Enables quick property-based searches across the vault.
allowed-tools	Read, Grep, Glob, Bash

Frontmatter Parser

Parse and query YAML frontmatter metadata from Obsidian vault markdown files.

Instructions

1. Single File Parsing: Use Read tool to view a markdown file, then extract YAML between opening --- and closing --- delimiters at the start of the file.

2. Batch Parsing: Use the Python helper script at .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py for efficient batch operations:

   uv run --with pyyaml .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py <command> [args]
   

3. Property Search: To find notes with specific property values, use the helper script's search capabilities or combine Grep with Read.

Helper Script Commands

# Parse single file and output JSON
uv run --with pyyaml .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py parse <file_path>

# Search for notes with specific property value
uv run --with pyyaml .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py search <directory> <property> <value>

# List all unique values for a property across directory
uv run --with pyyaml .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py values <directory> <property>

Vault Property Schema

Based on 02-SlipBox/Obsidian Property.md, these are the standard properties:

Core Properties (Universal)

Property	Type	Description
created	Date (YYYY-MM-DD)	Note creation date
last_updated	Date (YYYY-MM-DD)	Last modification date
author	Array of strings	Note authors/contributors
tags	Array of strings	Hierarchical structural tags
aliases	Array of strings	Alternative names for linking
summary	String	Brief description of content

Zettelkasten Properties

Property	Type	Description
TOPIC	Array of wikilinks	Main topic categorization
PRIOR	Array of wikilinks	Prerequisite/previous notes
NEXT	Array of wikilinks	Follow-up notes
RELATED_TO	Array of wikilinks	Cross-references

Project-Specific Properties

Property	Type	Description
start_dt	Date	Project start date
end_dt	Date or null	Project completion date
cloud_drive	URL	External storage link
project	Array of wikilinks	Associated projects

Reference-Specific Properties

Property	Type	Description
title	String	Original title of work
url	URL	Link to original source
year	Number	Publication year
zotero_uri	URI	Zotero item link
published	Date	Publication date

Examples

Find all notes by a specific author

uv run --with pyyaml .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py search "02-SlipBox" author "Yixin Tian"

List all unique tags in the vault

uv run --with pyyaml .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py values "." tags

Find notes created after a specific date

uv run --with pyyaml .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py search "." created "2025-01-01" --operator gte

Find notes with specific tag

uv run --with pyyaml .claude/skills/frontmatter-parser/scripts/parse_frontmatter.py search "." tags "slip-box/concept"

YAML Frontmatter Format

---
created: 2025-09-27
last_updated: 2025-12-08
author:
  - Yixin Tian
tags:
  - slip-box/concept
aliases:
  - Alternative Name
summary: Brief description of note content
TOPIC:
  - "[[Parent Topic]]"
PRIOR:
  - "[[Prerequisite Note]]"
NEXT:
  - "[[Follow-up Note]]"
RELATED_TO:
  - "[[Related Concept 1]]"
  - "[[Related Concept 2]]"
---

Notes

• Wikilinks in frontmatter use format: "[[Note Name]]" (quoted)
• Arrays use multi-line YAML format with - prefix
• Empty arrays use []
• Null/empty values leave the property with no value after colon
• Tags are hierarchical using / separator (e.g., ref/media/books)