---
name: obsidian-sorter
description: File notes into Sam's Obsidian vault. Use when adding, capturing, or organizing notes in Obsidian; when asked "sort my inbox", "add this to my notes", "where does this go", or when a thought/idea/plan should be recorded. Handles the proposal-and-approve workflow where the vault owner ticks a checkbox before anything moves.
---

# Obsidian Sorter

Files notes into Sam's Obsidian vault at `~/obsidian` **on host `.27`**.

**Nothing is ever filed without the owner's approval.** You write a note into
the inbox; a watcher writes a *proposal* into the note's frontmatter; Sam ticks
`approved: true` in Obsidian; the watcher files it.

## Where things live

| Thing | Location |
|-------|----------|
| Vault | `.27` → `~/obsidian` (synced to Gitea `sam/obsidian-vault`) |
| Sorter code | `.27` → `~/obsidian-sorter/` |
| Watcher service | `.27` → `systemctl --user obsidian-sorter` (always running, 10s poll) |
| Command | `.27` → `~/bin/obsidian-sort` |
| Sort log | `.27` → `~/obsidian/010 inbox/_sort log.md` |

The sorter runs **on `.27`** because that is where the vault lives. From another
machine, reach it over SSH:

```bash
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'obsidian-sort scan'
```

## The taxonomy — type mirrors folder

Refer to the existing folder listing to see subfolders — this table is the
reference for the pattern.

| Folder | Type | Meaning |
|--------|------|---------|
| `200 projects/` | `project` | Work in progress — something being built |
| `300 areas/` | `area` | Ongoing interest with documentation and notes |
| `400 Personal Family/` | `family` | Family / strictly non-work |
| `100 Table of Contents/` | `index` | Navigation notes only |
| `000 daily/` | `daily` | Chronological daily notes |
| `500 archive/` | `archive` | Inactive material |
| `Clippings/` | `clipping` | Browser-extension captures |
| `010 inbox/` | `note` | Unsorted placeholder |

**A note's `type` always equals its folder.** Never invent a type. These are
**retired** and must not be used: `subject`, `tool`, `container`, `machine`,
`backup-system`, `website`, `service`, `storage`, `network-component`, `person`.

### The lifecycle

```
IDEA (not started)   -> 200 projects/260 Ideas to Build Create Make
BEING BUILT          -> 200 projects/250 Electronics
FINISHED             -> 300 areas/...
```

## Adding a note

Write it into `010 inbox/` on `.27` using the generic template. **Do not choose
a folder or a type** — the sorter decides.

```yaml
---
created: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM
type: note
tags: []
aliases: []
---
# [[Note Title]]

A paragraph or two describing what this actually is. The more clearly you
describe it, the better it files.
```

Write it via SSH, e.g.:

```bash
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'cat > "$HOME/obsidian/010 inbox/My Note.md"' << 'MD'
---
created: 2026-01-01 12:00
type: note
tags: []
aliases: []
---
# [[My Note]]

The content.
MD
```

Within ~10 seconds the watcher adds a proposal:

```yaml
proposed_folder: 200 projects/250 Electronics
proposed_toc: 100 Table of Contents/Projects.md → Ideas
proposed_tags: [electronics, bluetooth]
confidence: 0.87
approved: false
```

## Triggering a check

The watcher polls every 10 seconds, so normally you do nothing. To force it:

```bash
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'obsidian-sort watch --once'   # one pass
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'obsidian-sort'                # dry run: show plans
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'obsidian-sort apply'          # file (prompts)
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'obsidian-sort apply --yes'    # file, no prompt
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'obsidian-sort scan'           # vault summary
```

## Steering the sorter

**Sam's own tags always win.** Tag a note and the sorter obeys:

| Tag on the note | Effect |
|-----------------|--------|
| `project` | constrained to the `200 projects/` bucket |
| `family` / `personal` | constrained to `400 Personal Family/` |
| `business-idea` | pinned to `400 Personal Family/410 Business Ideas` |
| `recipe` | pinned to `400 Personal Family/450 Recipes` |

Tag pinning costs **$0** — no model call is made.

## Rules

- **Never** set `type` to anything other than `note` when adding to the inbox.
- **Never** move notes into folders yourself — that is the sorter's job.
- **Never** modify `proposed_*` or `approved` fields. That is Sam's decision.
- **Never** touch `.trash/`.
- Files starting with `_` in the inbox are internal (the sort log) — ignore them.
- If asked where something belongs, use `propose` rather than guessing:

```bash
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'obsidian-sort propose "010 inbox/My Note.md" --jev'
```

## Troubleshooting

```bash
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'systemctl --user status obsidian-sorter'
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'journalctl --user -u obsidian-sorter -n 50'
ssh sam@192.168.20.27 'cat "$HOME/obsidian/010 inbox/_sort log.md" | tail -30'
```

If the service is stopped: `systemctl --user start obsidian-sorter`.