How to connect Obsidian to Grok
Grok can search, read and edit the notes in your Obsidian vault once you add Shard Connector as a custom connector on grok.com. Shard Connector runs in the cloud and reads your vault through Obsidian Sync, so 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 Grok:
- A Grok account on grok.com. xAI makes connectors available to all Grok users.
- In a Grok Business or Enterprise team, an admin adds connectors in the xAI console first.
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 Grok reaches.
https://mcp.shardconnector.com/mcp
Add Obsidian to Grok
-
Open Connectors
Go to grok.com/connectors. Click New Connector, then choose Custom.
Screenshot needed: grok-new-connector-custom.webp
The Connectors page on grok.com with New Connector clicked and the Custom option highlighted
-
Enter the name and URL
Name it Obsidian, paste
https://mcp.shardconnector.com/mcpunder Server URL and click Add Connector.Screenshot needed: grok-custom-connector-form.webp
Grok’s Custom Connector form with Name set to Obsidian and the Shard Connector URL under Server URL
-
Allow access and sign in
Grok opens a Shard Connector page asking you to allow access. Click Allow and sign in with the Google account you use on this site. Grok then lists the vault tools under the connector.
The Shard Connector page Grok opens when you add the connector. -
Ask Grok about your notes
Start a chat and name the connector in your request, for example “Use my Obsidian connector to find my notes about the garden.”
Screenshot needed: grok-chat-obsidian.webp
A Grok chat where Grok calls the Obsidian connector and answers from notes in the vault
Things to ask
- “Use my Obsidian connector to find notes about my reading list and tell me what’s on them.”
- “Use my Obsidian connector to read this week’s daily notes and summarize what I worked on.”
- “Use my Obsidian connector to add a task to my Inbox note: call the dentist on Friday.”
Troubleshooting
Grok answers without using your notes. Grok tends to answer from what it already knows. Name the connector in the request, for example “use my Obsidian connector to…”.
Grok asks for a client ID and secret. Grok couldn’t register itself with Shard Connector. Check that the URL is exactly https://mcp.shardconnector.com/mcp, with no trailing slash, then delete the connector and add it again.
Grok 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. Delete the connector, add it again and pick the right account.
What Grok can do in your vault
Grok 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
Is this the same as Grok Bot?
No. Grok Bot keeps its own connectors, so a connector you add on grok.com doesn’t show up there. Use the Grok Bot guide for it.
Does it work in the Grok mobile apps?
Yes. Connectors you add on grok.com also show up in the Grok apps for iPhone and Android, under Settings, Connectors.
Do I need an API key?
No. You sign in with Google when Grok connects, and Shard Connector finds your space from your account.
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 Grok delete my notes?
No. It can move a note to a Trash/ folder in your vault, where you can move it back.