workspaces

# Obsidian Workspaces, Tabs & Recents ## When to Use This Skill | Use this skill when... | Use the alternative instead when... | |---|---| | Inspecting the current workspace tree, tabs, or recently opened files | Reading or writing note content — use `vault-files` | | Saving / loading layouts via the Workspaces core plugin | Switching between vaults — use `vault-management` | | Opening a file into a specific tab group | Triggering a generic UI command — use `command-palette` | The Workspaces core plugin must be enabled for `workspace:save` / `:load` / `:delete` and the `workspaces` list to return data. `tabs`, `tab:open`, `recents`, and the bare `workspace` tree command work without it. ## Prerequisites - Obsidian desktop 1.12.7+ installer with CLI enabled - Obsidian must be running - For saved-layout commands: enable the **Workspaces** core plugin ## Inspect the Current Workspace ```bash # Tree of the active workspace (groups, splits, leaves) obsidian workspace # Include item IDs (needed for tab:open group=) obsidian workspace ids ``` ## Tabs ```bash # Open tabs in the active window obsidian tabs # Include tab IDs obsidian tabs ids # Open a file into a new tab (defaults to active group) obsidian tab:open file="Notes/Recipe" # Open into a specific group (use ids from `obsidian workspace ids` or `obsidian tabs ids`) obsidian tab:open group=<group-id> file="Notes/Recipe" # Open a non-file view (graph, file explorer, etc.) obsidian tab:open view=graph obsidian tab:open view=file-explorer ``` ## Recent Files ```bash # Recently opened files (tab history) obsidian recents # Just the count obsidian recents total ``` ## Saved Workspaces (core plugin) ```bash # All saved layouts obsidian workspaces obsidian workspaces total # Save the current layout obsidian workspace:save name="Writing" # Switch to a saved layout obsidian workspace:load name="Writing" # Delete a saved layout obsidian workspace:delete name="Writing" ``` ## Common Patterns ### "What is the user looking at right now?" ```bash obsidian workspace obsidian tabs obsidian recents ``` ### "Open these three notes side-by-side, then save the layout" ```bash obsidian open file="Brief" obsidian command id=workspace:split-vertical obsidian tab:open file="Spec" obsidian command id=workspace:split-vertical obsidian tab:open file="Notes" obsidian workspace:save name="Triage" ``` ### "Restore the writing layout for a focused session" ```bash obsidian workspace:load name="Writing" ``` ### "Open the graph view in a new tab" ```bash obsidian tab:open view=graph ``` ## Agentic Optimizations | Context | Command | |---------|---------| | Workspace tree | `obsidian workspace` | | Workspace with IDs | `obsidian workspace ids` | | Open tabs | `obsidian tabs` | | Recently opened | `obsidian recents` | | Open file in new tab | `obsidian tab:open file=X` | | Open view (graph, etc.) | `obsidian tab:open view=Y` | | List saved layouts | `obsidian workspaces` | | Switch layout | `obsidian workspace:load name=X` | | Save layout | `obsidian workspace:save name=X` | ## Related Skills - **vault-files** — Read or write the file you just opened - **command-palette** — `workspace:split-vertical`, `workspace:split-horizontal`, etc. - **vault-management** — Switch vaults before inspecting their workspace