> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://herwaka.shesharp.org.nz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set up your tools

> Install Gemini CLI, Obsidian, and optionally Wispr Flow — everything you need to control your notes with natural language.

Before we start capturing, let's get all your tools installed and connected.

<Warning>
  **You will need:** a laptop with internet access. No coding experience is required — we will guide you through every step.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Node.js">
    <Info>
      **Already have Node.js?** If you installed it for a previous tutorial, skip this step. Run `node --version` in your terminal to check — you should see a version number like `v22.x.x`.
    </Info>

    Node.js is a free tool that lets you run Gemini CLI on your computer.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Windows">
        1. Go to [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org)
        2. Click the big green **LTS** button to download the installer
        3. Open the downloaded `.msi` file
        4. Click **Next** through all the screens — the default settings are fine
        5. Click **Install**, then **Finish**
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="macOS">
        1. Go to [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org)
        2. Click the big green **LTS** button to download the installer
        3. Open the downloaded `.pkg` file
        4. Click **Continue** through all the screens — the default settings are fine
        5. Click **Install**, then **Close**
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    <Accordion title="How do I know it worked?">
      Open your terminal and type:

      ```bash theme={null}
      node --version
      ```

      You should see a version number like `v22.x.x`. If you see an error, try closing and reopening your terminal, then run the command again.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Gemini CLI">
    <Info>
      **Already have Gemini CLI?** If you installed it for a previous tutorial, skip this step. Just run `gemini` in your terminal to check it still works.
    </Info>

    Gemini CLI is Google's free AI assistant. It runs in your terminal and helps you with tasks based on your descriptions.

    Open your terminal and type:

    ```bash theme={null}
    npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
    ```

    Wait for the installation to finish. Then start it by typing:

    ```bash theme={null}
    gemini
    ```

    The first time you run it, Gemini CLI will ask you to sign in:

    * Choose **"Sign in with Google"**
    * A browser window will open — sign in with your Google account
    * Come back to the terminal when it says you're connected

    <Info>
      **Free tier:** 60 requests per minute, 1,000 requests per day — more than enough for this tutorial and everyday use.
    </Info>

    <Accordion title="'npm' is not recognised">
      This means Node.js isn't installed correctly. Go back and reinstall Node.js. After reinstalling, **close your terminal completely and open a new one** before trying again.
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="Permission denied error">
      **Windows:** Close PowerShell and reopen it by right-clicking and choosing **"Run as Administrator"**. Then try the install command again.

      **macOS:** Add `sudo` before the command:

      ```bash theme={null}
      sudo npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
      ```

      Enter your computer password when prompted (you won't see characters as you type — that's normal).
    </Accordion>

    Type `/quit` to exit Gemini CLI for now. We will start it again once everything else is set up.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Obsidian and enable the CLI">
    Obsidian is a free note-taking app that stores your notes as plain text files on your computer. The CLI lets you control it from the terminal.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Windows">
        1. Go to [obsidian.md/download](https://obsidian.md/download) and click **Download for Windows**
        2. Run the installer and follow the prompts
        3. Open Obsidian — if this is your first time, click **Create new vault**, give it a name (e.g. "My Notes"), and choose where to save it
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="macOS">
        1. Go to [obsidian.md/download](https://obsidian.md/download) and click **Download for macOS**
        2. Drag Obsidian to your **Applications** folder
        3. Open Obsidian — if this is your first time, click **Create new vault**, give it a name (e.g. "My Notes"), and choose where to save it
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    <Info>
      **Already have Obsidian?** Make sure you are running version **1.12.4 or later**. Go to **Settings** → **General** → check the version number at the top. If you need to update, download the latest installer from [obsidian.md/download](https://obsidian.md/download).
    </Info>

    Now enable the CLI:

    1. In Obsidian, open **Settings** (gear icon in the bottom-left)
    2. Go to **General**
    3. Find **Command line interface** and toggle it **on**
    4. Follow the prompt to register the CLI
    5. **Close and reopen your terminal** for the changes to take effect

    Test it by opening your terminal and typing:

    ```bash theme={null}
    obsidian help
    ```

    You should see a list of available commands. If you do, the CLI is ready.

    <Accordion title="'obsidian' command not found">
      Restart your terminal after enabling the CLI — the PATH changes only take effect in new terminal windows.

      **macOS:** Check that your `~/.zprofile` file contains this line:

      ```bash theme={null}
      export PATH="$PATH:/Applications/Obsidian.app/Contents/MacOS"
      ```

      If it is missing, add it manually, then restart your terminal.

      **Windows:** Make sure you are using the Obsidian 1.12.4+ installer. The installer adds a terminal redirector that allows the CLI to work. If the command still isn't found, try restarting your computer.
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="Obsidian must be running">
      The CLI connects to the running Obsidian app. Make sure Obsidian is open before running CLI commands. If Obsidian is not running, the first CLI command should launch it automatically — but this may take a few seconds.
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="I have multiple vaults">
      By default, the CLI uses the vault in your current terminal directory, or the most recently active vault. To target a specific vault, add `vault=<name>` before your command:

      ```bash theme={null}
      obsidian vault="My Notes" help
      ```
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Daily Notes">
    Daily notes give you a fresh page for each day — like a digital journal that creates itself.

    1. Open Obsidian
    2. Click the **Settings** icon (gear icon) in the bottom-left corner
    3. In the left sidebar, click **Core plugins**
    4. Find **Daily notes** in the list
    5. Toggle it **on**

    <Info>
      **What are daily notes?** Each day, Obsidian can create a new note with today's date as the title. It becomes your running log for the day — everything you capture goes here. Tomorrow, you get a fresh note automatically.
    </Info>

    <Accordion title="I can't find Daily notes in the list">
      Make sure you are looking under **Core plugins**, not Community plugins. Core plugins are built into Obsidian and are always available. Scroll through the list — Daily notes should be there.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Wispr Flow (optional)">
    <Info>
      **This step is optional.** Wispr Flow lets you speak instead of type — handy if you prefer talking over typing. Skip this step if you'd rather type your prompts.
    </Info>

    <Tip>
      **Sign up using this invite link to get a free month of Pro:**
      [https://wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115](https://wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115)

      Both you and the tutorial author benefit — you get a free month of Pro, and they get a free month when you dictate 2,000 words!
    </Tip>

    1. **Sign up** at [wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115](https://wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115)
    2. **Download and install** the app for your operating system
    3. **Configure settings** — enable these options for the best experience:
       * Experimental > **Command Mode** — Enable advanced voice commands
       * **Press Enter Command** — Automatically press enter when you say "press enter"
       * **Bulk Import** — Import snippets and dictionary items

    <Accordion title="What is Wispr Flow?">
      Wispr Flow is a voice-to-text tool that lets you dictate instead of type. It works in any application, including your terminal. Instead of typing a long prompt to Gemini CLI, you can just say it out loud. This is especially useful if you find typing slow or tiring.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test everything together">
    Let's make sure Gemini CLI can control Obsidian. Make sure Obsidian is open, then start Gemini CLI in your terminal:

    ```bash title="Copy this command" theme={null}
    gemini
    ```

    Now say (with Wispr Flow) or type this prompt:

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    Run the command obsidian daily to open today's note in Obsidian
    ```

    Gemini CLI should run the `obsidian daily` command for you, and Obsidian should open today's daily note. If Gemini asks for permission to run the command, type `y` and press **Enter** — this is normal.

    <Tip>
      **What just happened?** You asked Gemini CLI in plain language to open your daily note. It understood your request, ran the right command, and Obsidian responded. This is the core workflow — you describe what you want, and Gemini handles the rest.
    </Tip>

    <Accordion title="Gemini says it cannot run the command">
      Make sure Obsidian is running and the CLI is enabled. Test the CLI directly by running `obsidian help` in a separate terminal window. If that works, try the Gemini prompt again.
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="I see an error about the vault">
      Make sure Obsidian is open and you have at least one vault set up. A vault is simply a folder where Obsidian stores your notes. If you have not created one yet, open Obsidian and follow the prompts to create your first vault.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify your setup

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Node.js installed">
    Run `node --version` in your terminal. You should see a version number.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Gemini CLI installed and signed in">
    Run `gemini` in your terminal. It starts up and shows a prompt where you can type.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Obsidian installed and CLI working">
    The app opens and you can run `obsidian help` in your terminal without errors.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Daily notes enabled">
    The Daily notes core plugin is toggled on in Settings → Core plugins.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Gemini CLI can control Obsidian">
    Asking Gemini to open your daily note works — it runs the command and Obsidian responds.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  All set? Head to [Capture, track, and review](/tutorial/obsidian-daily/capture) to start using your daily notes with natural language.
</Note>