> ## 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 with the CLI plugin, and optionally Wispr Flow for voice input. Then verify everything works by talking to your vault.

Before we start organising, let's make sure all your tools are installed and working.

<Warning>
  **You will need:** a laptop and Obsidian installed with the CLI plugin enabled. No coding experience is required — we will guide you through every step.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  **Already set up?** If you completed the [Voice-Control Your Notes](/tutorial/obsidian-daily/overview) tutorial, you are already set up! Skip to Step 5 to check your vault.
</Tip>

<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>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Obsidian and enable the CLI">
    <Info>
      **Already done this?** If you installed the Obsidian CLI plugin in a previous tutorial, skip this step. Run `obsidian version` in your terminal to check — you should see a version number.
    </Info>

    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="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="Check your vault">
    Let's make sure Gemini CLI can talk to your Obsidian vault. Start Gemini CLI:

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

    Then say or type this prompt:

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    How many files and folders are in my Obsidian vault?
    ```

    Gemini CLI should return information about your vault — the number of files, folders, and possibly the vault name and path. If it does, everything is connected.

    <Info>
      **Multiple vaults?** If you have more than one vault, Obsidian CLI uses your default vault. You can switch vaults in the Obsidian app settings.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create sample notes if your vault is empty">
    If you have a fresh vault with no notes, give Gemini CLI these prompts one at a time. This creates sample notes so the tutorial has material to work with.

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    Create a note in Obsidian called 'Meeting Notes - March 15' with a heading Team Meeting, some discussion points about the project timeline, two checkbox tasks about reviewing the budget and sending an update to Sarah, and tag it with meeting and work
    ```

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    Create a note called 'Recipe - Banana Bread' with ingredients list and tag it recipe and baking
    ```

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    Create a note called 'Book Notes' with a reading list of Atomic Habits and The Lean Startup, tagged books and reading
    ```

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    Create a note called 'Project Ideas' with three career-related ideas, tagged ideas and career
    ```

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    Create a note called 'Untitled' with some random unstructured text and no tags
    ```

    <Info>
      **Already have notes?** Skip this step. These sample notes are only for people starting with an empty vault so the tutorial has something to work with.
    </Info>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify your setup

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Node.js installed">
    Running `node --version` in your terminal shows a version number.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Gemini CLI installed and signed in">
    Running `gemini` in your terminal starts the AI assistant and shows a prompt where you can type.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Obsidian CLI is working">
    Running `obsidian version` in your terminal shows a version number.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vault info is visible">
    Asking Gemini CLI about your vault returns file and folder counts.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Wispr Flow installed (optional)">
    You can speak and see text appear in your terminal.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  All set? Head to [Search, audit, and organise](/tutorial/obsidian-organise/organise) to start exploring your vault.
</Note>