obsidian-bases_skill

Overview

This skill creates and edits Obsidian Bases (.base) files to define dynamic, database-like views of notes. It produces valid YAML for views, filters, formulas, properties, and summaries so you can build tables, cards, lists, and maps inside Obsidian. Use it to author or modify Bases reliably and consistently.

How this skill works

The skill generates or updates .base YAML structures: global filters, formulas, property display settings, summary formulas, and multiple views (table, cards, list, map). It validates common schema elements (filters with and/or/not, formula syntax patterns, view order/grouping/limits) and emits ready-to-save YAML blocks or embedded code blocks for Markdown. It can produce example views, filter expressions, and formula snippets tailored to the user's vault metadata.

When to use it

• You want a reusable .base file to present notes as tables, cards, lists, or maps.
• You need help writing complex filter expressions (and/or/not) for a view.
• You want to add computed columns using formulas or reusable formula properties.
• You want consistent property display names, summaries, or groupings across views.
• You need a starter Base for task tracking, reading lists, or project notes.

Best practices

• Define global filters for broad constraints, then narrow with per-view filters to avoid repetition.
• Name formulas clearly and reference them as formula.my_name in view order and summaries.
• Use properties section to set displayName for cleaner column headers and card labels.
• Keep complex filter logic readable by nesting and/or/not rather than long single-line expressions.
• Test formulas with simple examples (dates, arithmetic, if()) before applying to large datasets.

Example use cases

• Create a Task Tracker Base with formulas for days until due, overdue flag, and priority labels.
• Build a Reading List Base that shows covers in cards and calculates estimated reading time.
• Assemble a Project Notes Base grouping by project status and summarizing link counts.
• Convert a folder of meeting notes into a table view with attendee, date, and action-item summaries.
• Produce a Map view for notes with latitude/longitude properties using the Maps plugin.