Feature Request: Category-Based Graph Views (Strict/Poetic/Full Modes)

Help
1

Feature Request: Category-Based Graph Views (Strict/Poetic/Full Modes)

Problem

Currently, Obsidian’s graph view displays all connections equally, making it difficult to focus on specific types of relationships. For users working with diverse content (scientific notes, poetry, personal reflections), this creates information overload where important structural connections get lost among casual associations.

Proposed Solution

Implement three graph visualization modes controlled through YAML frontmatter categories:

1. Strict Mode

  • Shows only connections between notes with scientific/technical categories
  • Categories: science, philosophy, history, technical
  • Hides poetic associations and emotional connections
  • Ideal for academic research and logical analysis

2. Poetic Mode

  • Shows only connections between creative/expressive notes
  • Categories: poetry, lyrics, dreams, creative
  • Hides technical details and factual connections
  • Perfect for writers and artists exploring emotional associations

3. Full Mode (Current Default)

  • Shows all connections without filtering
  • Useful for comprehensive overviews

Implementation Details

  1. YAML Frontmatter Support
---
categories: 
  - science
  - philosophy
graph_view: strict  # strict | poetic | full
---
  1. Category Management
  • Add category selection checkboxes in note properties panel
  • Allow users to define custom categories in settings
  • Include visual indicators for note categories in file explorer
  1. Graph Controls
  • Add mode selector (strict/poetic/full) to graph view controls
  • Category filter buttons that highlight notes by category
  • Visual distinction between category types (color coding)

Benefits

For Researchers:

  • Isolate factual connections from emotional associations
  • Focus on logical structure without distraction
  • Better identify knowledge gaps in specific domains

For Writers:

  • Explore creative connections without technical constraints
  • See emotional pathways between ideas
  • Maintain separation between drafting and editing phases

For Students:

  • Switch between study mode (strict) and creative brainstorming (poetic)
  • Organize notes by subject without creating separate vaults
  • Visualize how different disciplines connect in full mode

Why This Matters

Many users work across multiple domains but need to toggle between analytical and creative mindsets. This feature provides the flexibility to see only what’s relevant for the current task while maintaining all connections in the background.

The implementation builds on existing metadata features (YAML frontmatter) with minimal UI changes, making it a natural extension of Obsidian’s current capabilities rather than a disruptive change.

This would significantly enhance Obsidian’s value for multidisciplinary thinkers while maintaining the simplicity that makes it powerful.

2

You can do this with graph filters. For convenience you can bookmark the graph. Each time you bookmark the graph, it saves the current configuration in the bookmark so you can load it later by visiting the bookmark.

2 Likes