Nova is an AI writing partner for Obsidian that enables direct, in-place editing of your documents. Unlike traditional AI tools that require copying and pasting, Nova writes exactly where you want it—right in your notes with real-time streaming updates.
Getting Started
First-Time Setup
1. Configure AI Providers
Nova supports multiple AI providers. You'll need to set up at least one:
- Claude (Anthropic): Requires API key from console.anthropic.com
- OpenAI: Requires API key from platform.openai.com
- Google AI: Requires API key from Google AI Studio
- Ollama: Local AI models (no API key needed)
To add API keys:
- Open Obsidian Settings → Community Plugins → Nova
- Select your preferred provider from the dropdown
- Enter your API key in the corresponding field
- Test the connection by starting a conversation
2. Understanding Nova's Core Philosophy
Nova operates on a direct editing principle:
- ✅ Selection-based editing: Right-click selected text for quick transformations
- ✅ Cursor-based chat: AI writes exactly at your cursor position
- ✅ Streaming updates: See text appear in real-time as AI generates it
- ❌ No copy-paste workflow: Nova edits your document directly
3. Your First Edit
Try this quick example:
- Write a sentence in any note: "The cat sat on the mat."
- Select the text
- Right-click and choose "Improve Writing"
- Watch Nova enhance it in real-time
Selection-Based Editing
Selection-based editing is perfect for quick transformations of existing text. Simply select any text and right-click to access Nova's transformation menu.
The Five Core Transformations
1. Improve Writing
- Purpose: Makes text clearer, more concise, with better flow
- Best for: Rough drafts, unclear sentences, verbose writing
- Example:
- Original: "The thing that I wanted to say is that the meeting was not very productive"
- Improved: "The meeting was unproductive"
2. Make Longer
- Purpose: Expands ideas with more detail and examples
- Best for: Brief notes that need elaboration, outline expansion
- Example:
- Original: "Exercise is good for health"
- Expanded: "Regular exercise provides numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular function, stronger bones and muscles, better mental health through endorphin release, and enhanced immune system function that helps prevent disease"
3. Make Shorter
- Purpose: Condenses text to essential points
- Best for: Long paragraphs, wordy explanations, summary creation
4. Change Tone
Purpose: Adjusts writing style and tone
Available tones:
- Formal: Professional, structured language for business/academic contexts
- Casual: Relaxed, conversational tone for informal communication
- Academic: Scholarly, precise language with technical vocabulary
- Friendly: Warm, approachable tone that builds connection
5. Custom Instructions ("Tell Nova...")
- Purpose: Give specific instructions for transformation
- Best for: Unique requirements not covered by other options
- Examples:
- "Rewrite this as bullet points"
- "Make this sound more confident"
- "Convert to a numbered list"
- "Add more technical detail"
When to Use Selection vs Chat
Use Selection when:
- You have existing text that needs improvement
- You want quick, standard transformations
- Working on mobile (easier than typing commands)
- Making final polish edits
Use Chat when:
- Adding new content
- Combining multiple operations
- Need more control over the editing process
Chat Commands & Cursor-Based Editing
Nova's chat system is designed around cursor-based editing with intelligent intention detection. Place your cursor where you want Nova to work and describe what you need—Nova automatically determines whether you want a conversational response or direct document editing.
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
add tags: productivity, writing, AI
Adds specific tags to the document
add suggested tags
Analyzes content and suggests relevant tags
clean up tags
Removes duplicates and optimizes tag structure
remove tag: draft
Removes specific tags from the document
Frontmatter Operations
set status to complete
Updates frontmatter properties
add creation date
Adds date fields to document metadata
update the title property
Modifies document properties in frontmatter
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:
- Won't create new frontmatter for general metadata operations (only exception is for tags)
- Won't add new properties to documents without existing frontmatter
- Won't edit other documents - only the current active file
- 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 "Tell Nova..." 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
Document Context System
Nova can work with multiple documents simultaneously by referencing them in your conversations. This enables cross-document editing and analysis.
Document Reference Syntax
Basic Reference: [[document name]]
- 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
AI Provider Management
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
Advanced Features
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
Troubleshooting
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:
- Check provider settings and API key
- Test internet connection
- Try switching providers
- Wait if rate limited, then retry
Text appears garbled or incomplete
Solutions:
- Stop generation and retry
- Reduce context by removing document references
- Switch to provider with larger context limits
- Check network stability
Selection menu doesn't appear
Solutions:
- Ensure text is clearly selected
- Restart Obsidian
- Disable other AI plugins temporarily
- Check for plugin updates
Best Practices
- Start with selection-based editing for quick improvements to existing text
- Use chat commands for new content
- Reference documents strategically - add context only when needed
- Monitor token usage to avoid hitting limits
- Experiment with different providers to find what works best