Obsidian is the go-to application reminiscent of Winamp in the realm of productivity tools. If nostalgia strikes a chord, you might recall how that classic music player captivated users with its diverse array of plugins and customizable themes, crafted by enthusiastic developers.

While Obsidian performs admirably as a standalone note-taking application, packed with features such as folder organization and note linking, its true potential emerges through its vast ecosystem of plugins. Presently, there are over 2,000 plugins available, empowering users to morph Obsidian into a personalized powerhouse tailored to their needs.

Although many plugins cater to specific functions, some boast extensive capabilities that can replace entire applications. Here are four productivity tools that can be effectively substituted with Obsidian plugins.

Your Kanban Solution

This fictional kanban board serves as a placeholder, as my actual board contains private information.
Image Credit: Justin Pot

Once a loyal user of Trello, a tool that pioneered personal kanban planning, the platform has transformed dramatically over time into something entirely different, thanks to years of added features and commercialization. However, transitioning to Obsidian has proven far more effective for managing tasks, particularly with the Obsidian Kanban plugin.

This plugin allows for the creation of numerous Kanban boards within Obsidian, with each card supporting extensive text and formatting, just like other notes. Users can integrate links to project management pages directly within the cards.

For instance, as a freelance journalist contributing to various publications, managing around 20 articles per month requires organized oversight of multiple projects. Utilizing an Obsidian Kanban board assists in tracking all tasks efficiently. Columns dedicated to “Planned This Month,” “Planned This Week,” “Outlined,” “Submitted for Edits,” “Edited but Not Invoiced,” “Invoiced but Not Paid,” and “Paid” provide a clear view of ongoing work, facilitating progress monitoring. Organizing work in this manner is invaluable, and since writing is done directly within Obsidian, switching from the dashboard to a project is seamless.

This example is just one of many possible applications. Notably, each Kanban board in Obsidian is essentially a markdown document that consolidates lists, making it easy to export and archive, even if Obsidian is no longer in use.

Your Journaling Companion

Image Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Over the years, DailyHackly has featured numerous journaling applications, and extensive experimentation has revealed both advantages and drawbacks in each. While it may not suit everyone’s preferences, Obsidian has become the preferred choice for personal journaling.

For additional guidance on leveraging Obsidian for journaling, refer to my colleague Kamosh’s article here. For optimal journaling, consider adding the Journal Review plugin, which allows for regular reflections on past entries. Additionally, Obsidian’s template feature is handy for maintaining a consistent journaling format, and can be customized to include daily reflections or prompts.

Your Reading List App

Image Credit: Justin Pot

Recently, Obsidian introduced the Obsidian Clipper, designed to save web pages directly into your personal “vault.” This browser extension allows the archiving of entire articles from the internet, making it particularly beneficial for research purposes or serving as a substitute for traditional read-it-later services like Pocket or Instapaper. Simply designate a specific vault for articles you intend to read later, configure the plugin to direct these articles to that vault, and you can easily catch up on your reading backlog. Notably, highlighting and adding personal notes during reading sessions is possible without the need for a paid subscription.

Your Task Management App

Image Credit: Obsidian Tasks

Many individuals struggle with finding a to-do application that meets their specific organizational needs, which is why DailyHackly continues to explore various options. If you find yourself in search of a more tailored to-do experience and are a regular Obsidian user, consider the Tasks plugin. This tool scans through every note in your vault, capturing and organizing all markdown task lists in one cohesive view. It’s an exceptional enhancement for those who already utilize Obsidian for project outlines. Furthermore, it facilitates the addition of due dates, supports recurring tasks, and enables priority settings.