Nova User Guide

How Intention Detection Works

Nova analyzes your message to understand your intent:

✅ Editing Commands (Nova edits your document):

• "add a conclusion here"
• "insert a methodology section"
• "create a methodology section"
• "add tags: productivity, writing"

💬 Chat Responses (Nova responds conversationally):

• "what should I write about?"
• "explain the difference between X and Y"
• "help me brainstorm ideas"
• "what's the best approach for this?"

Cursor-Based Document Editing

When Nova detects an editing intent, it writes directly at your cursor position with real-time streaming updates.

Adding New Content

Place your cursor and describe what you want:

• add a paragraph about the benefits of exercise
• create an introduction for this chapter
• write a conclusion summarizing the key points
• insert a methodology section here
• add literature review using [[Research Notes]]
• create dialogue showing tension between these characters
• add error handling examples from [[API Guidelines]]
• write a detailed analysis of the current market trends
• develop a comprehensive project timeline
• create a character backstory with psychological depth

Nova can generate sophisticated content at your cursor position, from simple paragraphs to complex sections that incorporate context from referenced documents. The AI draws on its training to create detailed, contextually appropriate content based on your specific request.

Document Operations

Nova can modify document metadata and properties:

• add tags: productivity, writing
• set status to complete
• update the title property
• clean up tags

Tag and Metadata Commands

Nova includes specialized commands for document properties:

Tag Management

Frontmatter Operations

What Tag Commands Edit:

• ✅ Current document's frontmatter - Tags and properties in the active file
• ✅ Document metadata - YAML frontmatter fields
• ❌ Other documents - Commands only affect the current file
• ❌ File names or folders - Only document content and properties

❌ Protected Fields (Nova Won't Edit These)

Creation Date Fields:

• created, date-created, created-date, creation-date

Modification Date Fields:

• modified, last-modified, updated, date-modified

Identifier Fields:

• id, uuid, uid, permalink, url, link

These fields are protected because they're typically:

• System-generated (like creation/modification dates)
• Unique identifiers that shouldn't be changed
• Permanent references (permalinks, URLs)

Additional Restrictions

Beyond these protected fields, Nova also has these limitations:

1. Won't create new frontmatter for general metadata operations (only exception is for tags)
2. Won't add new properties to documents without existing frontmatter
3. Won't edit other documents - only the current active file
4. Won't modify file names or folder structures

The protection is case-insensitive, so variations like Created, CREATED, or Date-Created are all protected.

Natural Language Flexibility

Nova understands natural language variations. These all work for adding content:

• "add a conclusion"
• "write a summary at the end"
• "create a new section about results"
• "I need a paragraph explaining the process"

For selection-based custom instructions, use the "Custom prompt" menu option for maximum flexibility with existing text.

Undo Integration

Nova integrates seamlessly with Obsidian's native undo system:

• First Ctrl/Cmd+Z: Removes Nova's addition
• Second Ctrl/Cmd+Z: Restores original content (if text was replaced)
• Works exactly like any other Obsidian edit
• No special Nova-specific undo needed

When Chat Responds vs. Edits

Nova Edits Your Document When You:

• Give specific instructions about content creation
• Place cursor and request new content to be added
• Use action words: add, create, write, edit, fix, improve, rewrite

Nova Responds in Chat When You:

• Ask questions or seek advice
• Request explanations or clarifications
• Brainstorm or discuss ideas
• Use inquiry words: what, why, how, should, could, explain

Placeholder Syntax

Smart Fill uses HTML comment syntax for placeholders:

Basic Format:

<!-- nova: your instruction here -->

Single-Line Examples

<!-- nova: write a brief introduction -->

<!-- nova: summarize the key findings -->

<!-- nova: add a code example in Python -->

<!-- nova: explain the methodology -->

Multiline Instructions

For complex requirements, use multiline placeholders:

<!-- nova:
Write a detailed analysis that:
- Covers market trends
- Includes data from Q4 2025
- References the methodology section
-->

Insert Placeholder Command

You can also insert a placeholder using the "Nova: Insert smart fill placeholder" command, available via the command palette (Cmd/Ctrl+P) or the right-click context menu. This inserts a blank <!-- nova: --> template at your cursor so you can type your instruction directly.

Generating Content

Nova provides four ways to fill placeholders:

1. Using the /fill Slash Command

1. Add one or more placeholders to your document
2. Open the Nova sidebar chat and type /fill
3. Nova processes placeholders sequentially from top to bottom
4. Watch as content streams in real-time, replacing each placeholder

2. Using the Command Palette

1. Press Cmd/Ctrl+P to open Obsidian's command palette
2. Search for "Nova: Smart fill (/fill)"
3. Press Enter to fill all placeholders in the document
4. Great for keyboard-focused workflows

3. Using the Right-Click Context Menu

1. Right-click anywhere in your document
2. Select "Nova: Smart fill (/fill)" from the context menu
3. All placeholders in the document are filled
4. Convenient when your hands are already on the mouse

4. Using the Margin Indicator

When placeholders are present, a 📝 icon appears in the editor margin:

• Click the 📝 icon next to any placeholder
• Nova fills that specific placeholder immediately
• Perfect for filling placeholders one at a time
• Most precise method for selective fills

Key Features

Contextual Awareness

Smart Fill understands your document's context:

• Reads surrounding content to maintain consistency
• Adapts tone and style to match existing writing
• References earlier sections when needed
• Maintains document structure and formatting

Sequential Processing

When using /fill, placeholders are processed in order:

• Top-to-bottom execution ensures logical flow
• Earlier fills inform later ones
• Each placeholder sees the completed content above it
• Creates coherent, connected sections

Real-Time Streaming

• Content appears progressively as it's generated
• See exactly what's being written in real-time
• Cancel at any time with Cmd+. or Ctrl+.
• Undo with standard Cmd/Ctrl+Z

Visual Feedback

• 📝 icon shows placeholder locations in the margin
• Active placeholder highlights during generation
• Progress indication for multiple placeholders
• Clear visual state for completed fills

Writing Effective Instructions

✅ Do: Be Specific and Clear

<!-- nova: write a 3-paragraph introduction explaining the benefits of AI writing assistants -->

<!-- nova: create a comparison table of the top 5 features -->

<!-- nova: add Python code example showing how to implement authentication -->

❌ Don't: Be Vague or Ambiguous

<!-- nova: add something here -->

<!-- nova: write stuff -->

<!-- nova: continue -->

Best Practices:

1. Specify length: "Write a 2-paragraph summary" vs "Write a summary"
2. Define scope: "Explain the authentication flow" vs "Explain this"
3. Set tone: "Write a formal analysis" vs "Write an analysis"
4. Include examples: "Add a Python code example using FastAPI"
5. Reference context: "Summarize the findings from the methodology section above"

Canceling and Undo

Stopping Generation

Cancel placeholder fills at any time:

• Keyboard shortcut: Cmd+. (Mac) or Ctrl+. (Windows/Linux)
• Stop button: Click the stop button in Nova's interface
• Partially generated content is preserved
• Placeholder comment remains if generation was incomplete

Undoing Fills

Smart Fill integrates with Obsidian's undo system:

• First Cmd/Ctrl+Z: Removes the generated content
• Second Cmd/Ctrl+Z: Restores the original placeholder
• Works like any other edit in Obsidian

Error Handling

If placeholder generation fails:

• Placeholder preservation: The original placeholder comment stays in place
• Error notification: Nova displays a clear error message
• Continuation: When using /fill, remaining placeholders continue processing
• Retry option: Simply run /fill again or click the 📝 icon

Common Issues:

• API errors: Check your provider settings and API key
• Rate limiting: Wait briefly and retry
• Context too large: Reduce document size or remove document references
• Network issues: Check internet connection

Best Practices

Document Structure

• Use Smart Fill for repetitive sections across similar documents
• Place placeholders in logical order (top to bottom)
• Group related placeholders together
• Use descriptive instructions that reference surrounding context

Template Workflows

Create reusable templates with Smart Fill placeholders:

• Meeting notes: Placeholders for agenda, discussion points, action items
• Project docs: Sections for overview, requirements, technical details
• Research papers: Introduction, methodology, findings, conclusion
• Blog posts: Hook, main points, examples, call-to-action

Iterative Refinement

1. Start with broad placeholder instructions
2. Generate initial content with /fill
3. Review and refine the generated sections
4. Use selection-based editing or chat commands for polish
5. Save successful patterns as templates

Integration with Templater

Smart Fill works seamlessly with the Templater plugin:

• Template creation: Add Smart Fill placeholders to Templater templates
• Dynamic content: Combine Templater variables with Smart Fill instructions
• Workflow: Insert template → Fill Templater variables → Run /fill

Example Template

---
title: <% tp.file.title %>
date: <% tp.date.now("YYYY-MM-DD") %>
---

# <% tp.file.title %>

<!-- nova: write an introduction based on the title -->

## Key Points
<!-- nova: generate 3-5 key discussion points -->

Performance Considerations

Document Size

• Smart Fill works best with documents under 10,000 words
• Larger documents may process slower or hit context limits
• Consider splitting very large documents into sections

Placeholder Limits

• No hard limit on placeholder count
• Processing 5-10 placeholders at once is typically optimal
• Very large batches may take longer or hit rate limits
• Use margin indicators to fill placeholders individually for fine control

Rate Limits

• AI providers have different rate limits
• If rate limited, wait briefly and retry
• Consider spreading large fill operations over time

Settings

Smart Fill can be configured in Nova settings:

• Enable/Disable: Toggle Smart Fill feature on or off
• Margin indicators: Show or hide 📝 icons in the editor
• Auto-remove placeholders: Automatically remove placeholder comments after successful fill
• Confirmation prompts: Require confirmation before filling multiple placeholders

Access settings: Obsidian Settings → Community Plugins → Nova → Smart Fill

Troubleshooting

Placeholders Not Detected

Solutions:

• Verify exact syntax:

<!-- nova: instruction -->

• Ensure "nova:" prefix is present with colon
• Check for typos in the comment syntax
• Make sure Smart Fill is enabled in settings

Margin Icons Not Appearing

Solutions:

• Check Nova settings for margin indicator toggle
• Restart Obsidian to refresh the editor
• Verify placeholders use correct syntax

Generated Content Doesn't Match Instructions

Solutions:

• Make instructions more specific and detailed
• Add context references to surrounding sections
• Try a different AI provider or model
• Use Cmd/Ctrl+Z to undo and refine the placeholder instruction

/fill Command Not Working

Solutions:

• Ensure at least one valid placeholder exists in the document
• Check AI provider configuration and API key
• Verify internet connection
• Try clicking individual 📝 margin icons instead

Quick Reference

Create a placeholder:

<!-- nova: instruction -->

Or use the "Nova: Insert smart fill placeholder" command (command palette or right-click) to insert a blank template at your cursor.

Fill all placeholders (4 methods):

• Type /fill in the Nova sidebar chat
• Command palette: "Nova: Smart fill (/fill)"
• Right-click context menu: "Nova: Smart fill (/fill)"
• Click 📝 icon in margin (fills specific placeholder)

Cancel generation:

Cmd/Ctrl + .

Undo fill operation:

Cmd/Ctrl + Z

Auto-Context

Nova's Auto-Context system automatically pulls in relevant notes from your vault as you write. This ensures the AI has the most up-to-date information without manual copying.

• Outgoing Links: Nova reads all notes linked in your current document.
• Backlinks: When enabled, Nova also reads notes that link back to your current document.
• Toggle: You can enable or disable Auto-Context at any time from the Nova sidebar.

Quick Panel

The Quick Panel in the Nova sidebar provides a real-time view of your current context.

• Collapsed/Expanded: Click the context header to toggle the visibility of active documents.
• Context List: See exactly which notes are being used as context for the current turn.
• Manual Toggles: Temporarily disable specific notes from the context without removing links.

Document Reference Syntax

Basic Reference: [[document name]]

Manual references still work perfectly alongside Auto-Context. If you mention a note using wikilinks, Nova prioritizes that content.

• Compare this section with [[Project Requirements]]
• Use the methodology from [[Research Notes]] to improve this

Managing Context

• Adding Documents: Type [[document name]] anywhere in your message
• Context Panel: Shows which documents are currently in context
• Context Limitations: Each AI provider has different context limits

Supported Providers

Claude (Anthropic)

• Best for: Complex reasoning and analysis
• Setup: Requires API key from console.anthropic.com
• Context limit: 200K tokens (very large)

OpenAI

• Best for: Balanced performance and creativity
• Setup: Requires API key from platform.openai.com
• Context limit: Varies by model (8K-128K tokens)

Google AI (Gemini)

• Best for: Fast responses and research
• Setup: Requires API key from Google AI Studio
• Context limit: 1M tokens (extremely large)

Ollama (Local)

• Best for: Local privacy and offline use 🔒
• Setup: Install Ollama locally, no API key needed
• Context limit: Varies by model and system resources

Streaming Text with Magical Scroll

Nova provides real-time streaming updates as the AI generates text:

• Text appears letter-by-letter as the AI writes
• Your view automatically scrolls to follow the cursor
• Smooth, uninterrupted writing experience

Tag Management

Nova includes specialized commands for managing document tags:

• Adding suggested tags: "add suggested tags"
• Cleaning up tags: "clean up tags"
• Specific operations: "add tags: productivity, writing, AI"

Mobile-Specific Features

Optimized for mobile:

• Touch-friendly selection menus
• Command palette for easier command entry
• Simplified interface for smaller screens
• Voice-to-text support for commands

Mobile best practices:

• Use selection-based editing when possible
• Leverage command palette for complex commands
• Take advantage of voice input for longer instructions

Common Issues and Solutions

Nova doesn't respond to commands

Possible causes:

• No AI provider configured
• Invalid API key
• Network connectivity issues
• Rate limiting

Solutions:

1. Check provider settings and API key
2. Test internet connection
3. Try switching providers
4. Wait if rate limited, then retry

Text appears garbled or incomplete

Solutions:

1. Stop generation and retry
2. Reduce context by removing document references
3. Switch to provider with larger context limits
4. Check network stability

Selection menu doesn't appear

Solutions:

1. Ensure text is clearly selected
2. Restart Obsidian
3. Disable other AI plugins temporarily
4. Check for plugin updates

Best Practices

1. Start with selection-based editing for quick improvements to existing text
2. Use chat commands for new content
3. Reference documents strategically - add context only when needed
4. Monitor token usage to avoid hitting limits
5. Experiment with different providers to find what works best