obsidian-memory:search-navigation

Obsidian Search & Navigation

Efficient strategies for finding and accessing information in the Obsidian vault.

MCP Tool Selection Guide

Quick Reference

Need	Tool	Why
Read one file	read_note	Direct access
Read multiple files	read_multiple_notes	Batch (max 10)
Check file exists/metadata	get_notes_info	No content load
Get just frontmatter	get_frontmatter	See summary without content
Search by content	search_notes with searchContent: true	Full-text search
Search by metadata	search_notes with searchFrontmatter: true	Find by type/status/tags
Browse structure	list_directory	See folder contents
Find all tags	manage_tags with operation: list	See note's tags
Vault overview	get_vault_stats	Size, recent files

Tool Details

get_frontmatter - Fast Metadata Check

Use when: You need to understand what a file is about without reading content
Returns: Just the YAML frontmatter (type, status, summary, tags)
Perfect for: Triaging multiple files quickly

get_notes_info - Batch Metadata

Use when: Checking multiple files at once (up to array of paths)
Returns: Path, size, modified date, hasFrontmatter flag
Perfect for: Quick scan of a folder's contents

search_notes - Find Content

Parameters:
- query: Search text
- searchContent: true (default) - search in note body
- searchFrontmatter: true - search in YAML frontmatter
- limit: Max results (default 5, max 20)
- caseSensitive: false (default)

Use searchFrontmatter for:
- Finding notes by type: "type: decision"
- Finding by status: "status: active"
- Finding by summary keywords

read_multiple_notes - Batch Read

Parameters:
- paths: Array of note paths (max 10)
- includeContent: true (default)
- includeFrontmatter: true (default)

Use when: You know which files you need and want to read them efficiently

Search Strategies

Strategy 1: Frontmatter-First (Recommended)

When looking for notes on a topic:

1. Search frontmatter for summary keywords

   search_notes(query: "authentication", searchFrontmatter: true, searchContent: false)
   

2. Get info on promising results

   get_notes_info(paths: [results])
   

3. Read only the relevant ones

   read_note(path: "the-one-I-need.md")
   

Strategy 2: Structure-Based

When you know the category:

1. List directory to see options

   list_directory(path: "knowledge-base/aws-services")
   

2. Get frontmatter for files of interest

   get_frontmatter(path: "knowledge-base/aws-services/lambda-patterns.md")
   

3. Read if summary matches need

Strategy 3: Tag-Based

When looking for cross-cutting concerns:

1. Search frontmatter for tag

   search_notes(query: "#blocker", searchFrontmatter: true)
   

2. Or search content for inline tags

   search_notes(query: "#decision", searchContent: true)
   

Strategy 4: Recent Activity

When looking for recent work:

1. Get vault stats with recent files

   get_vault_stats(recentCount: 10)
   

2. Read recent files that look relevant

Efficient Patterns

Pattern: Quick Context Load

Before starting work on a client/project:

1. list_directory("engagements/active/[client]")
2. read_note("engagements/active/[client]/context.md")
3. If decisions folder exists: list_directory + get_frontmatter on ADRs

Pattern: Find Related Decisions

When making a technical choice:

1. search_notes(query: "[technology]", searchFrontmatter: true)
2. Filter results for type: decision
3. read_multiple_notes on relevant ADRs

Pattern: People Lookup

When someone is mentioned:

1. list_directory("people")
2. Look for matching filename
3. read_note("people/[name].md")

Pattern: Session Context Recovery

When resuming previous work:

1. list_directory("agent-workspaces")
2. Find relevant session folder by date/context
3. read_note("agent-workspaces/[session]/context.md")

Performance Tips

1. Prefer frontmatter search over content search when possible (faster)
2. Use get_notes_info before reading full notes (check if worth reading)
3. Batch reads with read_multiple_notes instead of multiple read_note calls
4. Use limit parameter in search to avoid overwhelming results
5. Check hasFrontmatter in get_notes_info - files without it need full read

Folder Quick Reference

Path	Contains
engagements/active/	Current client work
engagements/completed/	Archived engagements
knowledge-base/	Reference material by technology
playbooks/	Reusable methodologies
people/	Information about individuals
career/	Brag doc, promotion materials
agentic-platform-program/	Tech lead domain work
agent-workspaces/	Session workspaces
agent-workspaces/shared/	Cross-session persistent notes

Common Searches

Looking for...	Search approach
Active blockers	search_notes("#blocker", searchFrontmatter: true)
Decisions on X	search_notes("type: decision", searchFrontmatter: true) + filter
Lessons learned	list_directory("knowledge-base/lessons-learned")
Person info	list_directory("people") + read_note
Recent session	get_vault_stats(recentCount: 5)

Related

• See obsidian-memory:memory-system skill for when/what to store
• Check CLAUDE.md in vault root for vault-specific conventions