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shard connector

How to connect Obsidian to Claude

Claude can search, read and edit the notes in your Obsidian vault once you add Shard Connector as a custom connector. You add it once on claude.ai or in Claude Desktop, and it’s there in the iPhone and Android apps too. Nothing runs on your computer, and Obsidian doesn’t need to be open.

Updated

Before you start

You need an Obsidian vault you sync with Obsidian Sync, and a Shard Connector space with that vault connected. Sign in with Google to set it up: it’s $2.99 a month after a 3-day free trial. For Claude:

  • Any Claude plan. The Free plan allows one custom connector.
  • On Team and Enterprise plans, an owner adds the connector for the organization first. Members then connect to it, as described below.

When your dashboard shows the space as ready, copy the server URL. It’s the same for everyone; the Google sign-in decides whose vault Claude reaches.

https://mcp.shardconnector.com/mcp
Shard Connector dashboard showing the vault connected, the space ready and the MCP server URL with a Copy button
Your dashboard once the vault is connected and the space is ready.

Add Obsidian to Claude

The quick way: Add to Claude opens Claude’s Add custom connector dialog with the name and URL filled in. Check them and carry on from step 2.

  1. Open Connectors

    In Claude, open Customize, then Connectors (claude.ai/customize/connectors). Click + Add, then Add custom connector.

    Screenshot needed: claude-add-custom-connector.webp

    Claude’s Customize, Connectors page with the + Add menu open and Add custom connector highlighted

  2. Enter the name and URL

    Name it Obsidian, paste https://mcp.shardconnector.com/mcp as the URL and click Continue. If your dialog shows the name, URL and Advanced settings on one screen, leave Advanced settings empty and click Add.

    Screenshot needed: claude-custom-connector-dialog.webp

    The Add custom connector dialog with the name Obsidian and the Shard Connector URL filled in

  3. Keep the sign-in defaults

    Claude shows the sign-in settings it detected. Keep them: Shard Connector needs no OAuth client ID, secret or request headers. Click Continue, then Add.

  4. Allow access and sign in

    Claude opens a Shard Connector page asking you to allow access. Click Allow and sign in with the Google account you use on this site. If Claude doesn’t open it right away, click Connect next to Obsidian in the connector list.

    Shard Connector page asking: Allow Claude to access your Obsidian vault? with Deny and Allow buttons
    The Shard Connector page Claude opens when you connect.

  5. Turn it on in a chat

    In a chat, click + at the bottom left of the message box, open Connectors and make sure Obsidian is switched on. Then ask about your notes.

    Screenshot needed: claude-chat-connectors-toggle.webp

    A Claude chat with the + menu open on Connectors and the Obsidian toggle switched on

Team and Enterprise plans

An owner adds the connector under Organization settings, Connectors: click Add, hover Custom, choose Web and enter the same name and URL. Each member then finds Obsidian under Customize, Connectors with a Custom label, clicks Connect and signs in with their own Google account, which reaches their own vault.

Things to ask

  • “Search my Obsidian vault for notes about my reading list and tell me what’s on it.”
  • “Find the notes in my Obsidian vault that mention Project Atlas and list their open tasks.”
  • “Create a note in Obsidian at Ideas/Weekend hike.md with a packing list for two days of hiking.”

Troubleshooting

Claude says you’ve reached the connector limit. Remove the connector you have under Customize, Connectors, or move to a paid plan.

Claude doesn’t use your notes. Check that Obsidian is switched on under +, Connectors in that chat, and mention Obsidian in the request.

Claude says the vault is syncing. Your space sleeps while nobody uses it and catches up with Obsidian Sync when it wakes. Wait a few seconds and ask again.

Sign-in says there’s no vault for your account. You signed in with a different Google account than the one on your dashboard, or your vault isn’t connected yet. Click Disconnect on the connector, then Connect and pick the right account.

What Claude can do in your vault

Claude works in the one vault you connected. It can search, read, create and edit notes and folders, and move notes to a Trash/ folder, but it can’t delete anything for good, see .obsidian or open images and PDFs. See the full list.

Questions

Does it work on the Claude Free plan?

Yes. The Free plan allows one custom connector, and Obsidian can be that one.

Does it work in the Claude mobile app?

Yes. Once you’ve connected on claude.ai or in Claude Desktop, the connector is available the next time you sign in to the Claude app on iPhone or Android.

Do I need to edit claude_desktop_config.json?

No. That file is for servers that run on your own computer. Shard Connector is a remote connector, so you add it in Claude’s settings and it works in Claude Desktop and on the web alike.

Does Obsidian need to be open?

No. Shard Connector reads and writes your vault through Obsidian Sync from the cloud, and the changes show up in Obsidian on every device the next time it syncs.

Can Claude delete my notes?

No. It can move a note to a Trash/ folder in your vault, where you can move it back.

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