> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://papela-obsidian-portable.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick Start Guide

> Get up and running with Obsidian Portable in 5 minutes - from launch to your first portable note

# Quick Start Guide

This guide will get you from zero to taking notes with Obsidian Portable in just 5 minutes.

> [!NOTE]
>
> This assumes you've already [installed Obsidian Portable](https://papela-obsidian-portable.mintlify.site/installation.md). If not, complete the installation first.

## 5-Minute Setup

**1. Launch the Application**

Navigate to your Obsidian Portable installation folder and double-click:

```plaintext theme={null}
ObsidianPortable.exe
```

> [!NOTE]
>
> Always launch via `ObsidianPortable.exe`, not the `Obsidian.exe` in subdirectories. The portable launcher ensures your data stays portable.

Obsidian will open and display the welcome screen.

**2. Create Your Portable Vault**

On the welcome screen:

1. Click **Create new vault**
2. Enter a vault name: `My Portable Notes`
3. **IMPORTANT:** Click **Browse** next to the location field
4. Navigate to your ObsidianPortable installation, then:

```plaintext theme={null}
ObsidianPortable/Data/Vaults/
```

5. Click **Select Folder**, then **Create**

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Critical for Portability:** Always create vaults inside the `Data/Vaults/` directory. Vaults created elsewhere won't move with your portable installation.

Your vault structure will be:

```plaintext theme={null}
ObsidianPortable/
└── Data/
    └── Vaults/
        └── My Portable Notes/
            └── .obsidian/    # Settings for this vault
```

**3. Create Your First Note**

With your vault open:

1. Click the **New note** button (or press `Ctrl+N`)
2. Type a note title: `Welcome to Obsidian Portable`
3. Start writing in markdown:

```markdown theme={null}
# My First Portable Note

This is my first note in Obsidian Portable!

## Why Obsidian Portable?

- No installation required
- Works from USB drives
- Complete privacy
- All my data travels with me

## Quick Markdown Tips

**Bold text** and *italic text*

- Bullet points
- Are easy

[[Link to other notes]] using double brackets
```

Notes auto-save as you type.

**4. Configure Essential Settings**

Open Settings (`Ctrl+,`) and configure these portable-friendly options:

### Files & Links

* **Default location for new notes:** Set to `In the folder specified below`
* **Folder to create new notes in:** Leave as root (`/`) or create a `Notes` folder
* **Default location for new attachments:** Set to `In subfolder under current folder`
* **Subfolder name:** `attachments`

This keeps all your attachments portable with your notes.

### Appearance (Optional)

* Choose your preferred theme (Light/Dark)
* Adjust base font size for readability

> [!NOTE]
>
> All settings are automatically stored in `Data/ObsidianAppData/` and will move with your portable installation.

**5. Test Portability**

Verify everything is portable:

1. **Close Obsidian** completely (not just minimize)
2. If on a USB drive: safely eject and reconnect (it may get a different drive letter)
3. Launch `ObsidianPortable.exe` again
4. Your vault should open automatically with all your notes intact

> [!NOTE]
>
> The launcher's path replacement feature (configured in `App/AppInfo/Launcher/ObsidianPortable.ini`) automatically updates vault locations when your drive letter changes.

## Understanding the Portable Setup

Here's what the launcher does behind the scenes:

```ini theme={null}
# From ObsidianPortable.ini
CommandLineArguments=--user-data-dir="%PAL:DataDir%\ObsidianAppData"
```

This ensures Obsidian stores all application data in:

```plaintext theme={null}
ObsidianPortable/Data/ObsidianAppData/
```

Instead of the default Windows location:

```plaintext theme={null}
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\obsidian\
```

## Quick Markdown Reference

Get productive immediately with these essential Obsidian markdown shortcuts:

> **Text Formatting**
>
> ```markdown theme={null}
> **bold text**
> *italic text*
> ==highlighted text==
> ~~strikethrough~~
> `inline code`
> ```

> **Headings**
>
> ```markdown theme={null}
> # Heading 1
> ## Heading 2
> ### Heading 3
> #### Heading 4
> ```

> **Links**
>
> ```markdown theme={null}
> [[Link to another note]]
> [[Note|Custom link text]]
> [[Note#Heading|Link to heading]]
> [External link](https://example.com)
> ```

> **Lists**
>
> ```markdown theme={null}
> - Bullet point
> - Another point
>   - Nested point
>
> 1. Numbered list
> 2. Second item
>    1. Nested number
>
> - [ ] Unchecked task
> - [x] Checked task
> ```

> **Code Blocks**
>
> ````markdown theme={null}
> ```javascript
> function hello() {
>   console.log("Hello from Obsidian!");
> }
> ```
> ````

> **Tables**
>
> ```markdown theme={null}
> | Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
> |----------|----------|----------|
> | Data 1   | Data 2   | Data 3   |
> | Data 4   | Data 5   | Data 6   |
> ```

## Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

| Action | Shortcut | Description |
| - | - | - |
| **New note** | `Ctrl+N` | Create a new note in current vault |
| **Quick switcher** | `Ctrl+O` | Quickly open any note |
| **Search in vault** | `Ctrl+Shift+F` | Search all notes |
| **Command palette** | `Ctrl+P` | Access all commands |
| **Settings** | `Ctrl+,` | Open settings |
| **Toggle edit/preview** | `Ctrl+E` | Switch between edit and reading mode |
| **Open graph view** | `Ctrl+G` | Visualize note connections |

## Next Steps: Making It Yours

> **Organize Your Vaults**
>
> Learn how to create multiple vaults for different purposes:
>
> * Personal notes
> * Work documentation
> * Research projects
>
> See [Using Obsidian Portable](https://papela-obsidian-portable.mintlify.site/guide/using-obsidian-portable.md) for more on managing vaults

> **Install Community Plugins**
>
> Extend Obsidian with community plugins:
>
> 1. Settings → Community plugins
> 2. Turn off Restricted Mode
> 3. Browse and install plugins
>
> All plugins install portably in `Data/ObsidianAppData/`

> **Customize Appearance**
>
> Make Obsidian beautiful:
>
> * Install community themes
> * Adjust fonts and colors
> * Configure CSS snippets
>
> See [Configuration](https://papela-obsidian-portable.mintlify.site/guide/configuration.md) for more on customization

> **Link Your Notes**
>
> Build a knowledge network:
>
> * Use `[[double brackets]]` to link notes
> * Create MOCs (Maps of Content)
> * Explore the Graph View
>
> Learn more in the [Obsidian documentation](https://help.obsidian.md/)

## Common Quick Start Questions

> **Can I create multiple vaults?**
>
> Yes! Create as many vaults as you want inside `Data/Vaults/`:
>
> ```plaintext theme={null}
> Data/Vaults/
> ├── Personal/
> ├── Work/
> ├── Research/
> └── Projects/
> ```
>
> Switch between vaults using the vault switcher (click the vault name in the bottom-left).

> **Where are my attachments stored?**
>
> By default, attachments go in the same folder as your note. To keep them organized:
>
> 1. Settings → Files & Links
> 2. Set **Default location for new attachments** to "In subfolder under current folder"
> 3. Set **Subfolder name** to `attachments`
>
> Now images and files will be stored in:
>
> ```plaintext theme={null}
> Data/Vaults/My Notes/attachments/
> ```

> **Can I use Obsidian Sync with the portable version?**
>
> Yes, but it's not necessary for most portable use cases:
>
> * **USB/Cloud Storage:** Your files are already portable
> * **Obsidian Sync:** Useful if you want encrypted cloud sync independent of file location
>
> To enable:
>
> 1. Create an Obsidian account
> 2. Subscribe to Obsidian Sync
> 3. Settings → Core plugins → Enable "Sync"
> 4. Configure sync settings
>
> Sync settings are stored portably in `Data/ObsidianAppData/`.

> **How do I backup my portable vault?**
>
> Your entire Obsidian Portable installation is already a backup! To create additional backups:
>
> **Simple Backup:**
>
> ```plaintext theme={null}
> Copy the entire ObsidianPortable folder to another location
> ```
>
> **Vault-Only Backup:**
>
> ```plaintext theme={null}
> Copy Data/Vaults/My Portable Notes/ to backup location
> ```
>
> **Version Control (Advanced):**
> Initialize a Git repository in your vault folder for version history.

> **What if I accidentally launch the wrong Obsidian.exe?**
>
> If you launch the `Obsidian.exe` inside the App directory instead of `ObsidianPortable.exe`:
>
> * It will use your system's default Obsidian data directory
>
> * Your portable vaults won't be visible
>
> * No data is lost - just launch the correct `ObsidianPortable.exe`
>
> > [!WARNING]
> >
> > Always use `ObsidianPortable.exe` in the root folder, not any other .exe files.

## Verify Your Portable Setup

Run this quick checklist to ensure everything is properly configured:

* [ ] Launched via `ObsidianPortable.exe` (not `Obsidian.exe`)
* [ ] Vault created inside `Data/Vaults/` directory
* [ ] Can create and edit notes
* [ ] Settings persist after closing and reopening
* [ ] Attachments save to portable location
* [ ] (USB users) Vault accessible after reconnecting drive with different letter

## Tips for Portable Success

**1. Keep Vaults Inside Data/**

Always create vaults in `Data/Vaults/` to ensure they move with your installation.

**2. Use Relative Paths**

When linking files, use relative paths or Obsidian's `[[link]]` syntax instead of absolute paths.

**3. Regular Backups**

Even though it's portable, maintain backups:

* Copy to another USB drive
* Upload to personal cloud storage
* Commit to a Git repository

**4. Safe USB Ejection**

Always "Safely Remove Hardware" before unplugging USB drives to prevent data corruption.

**5. One Instance at a Time**

If using cloud storage, only run one instance of Obsidian Portable at a time to avoid sync conflicts.

## Get Help

If you encounter issues:

* Check the [Troubleshooting Guide](https://papela-obsidian-portable.mintlify.site/guide/troubleshooting.md)
* Review [PortableApps.com Support](https://portableapps.com/support/portable_app)
* Visit [Obsidian Help Docs](https://help.obsidian.md/)
* Report issues on [GitHub](https://github.com/Papela/Obsidian-Portable/issues)

## What's Next?

Now that you're up and running:

1. **Explore Features**: Try the Graph View, Canvas, and other core features
2. **Install Plugins**: Discover community plugins to extend functionality
3. **Build Your System**: Develop your personal knowledge management workflow
4. **Learn Advanced Features**: Explore templates, daily notes, and dataview queries

Happy note-taking with Obsidian Portable!


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.