How to sync your Obsidian vault using GitHub: A complete guide

To sync notes across devices in Obsidian, a free and secure alternative to the paid sync service is using GitHub. This guide explains how to set up GitHub synchronization for an Obsidian vault on desktop or mobile. Before starting, you need an Obsidian installation, a GitHub account, and basic familiarity with Git concepts. First, create a private GitHub repository to store your notes and generate a personal access token with the necessary permissions. Then, create a new vault in Obsidian and remove any default files. Next, install and configure the Git plugin in Obsidian by enabling community plugins and searching for the Git plugin. On mobile devices, set up the repository by entering your GitHub username and personal access token in the Git plugin settings, then use the command palette to clone the existing remote repository. On desktop, use terminal commands to set up the repository. It's also important to manage the .gitignore file to prevent synchronization conflicts. Once everything is set up, syncing becomes straightforward by staging changed files, committing changes, and pushing and pulling updates. This setup provides version control for your notes and complete control over your data, allowing you to focus on capturing and developing your ideas in Obsidian.