How to Quickly Copy Obsidian External Symbolic Links from Finder Using Shortcuts.app on macOS
If you’re an Obsidian user who often works with external symbolic links (symlinks) on macOS, this quick guide will help you streamline your workflow using the built-in Shortcuts.app. The shortcut configuration below allows you to instantly generate and copy Obsidian-style external symlink markdown links directly from Finder, saving you time and keeping your note references clean and consistent.
What This Shortcut Does
- Receives files or text input from Finder (or other Quick Actions)
- Extracts the file name from the selected file path
- URL-encodes the file name to ensure compatibility in links
- Formats the output as an Obsidian external link:
[FileName](file:///URL-Encoded-Path) - Copies the formatted link directly to your clipboard for immediate pasting
Step-by-Step Setup & Usage
-
Select a File in Finder
Highlight the file or folder you want to link to in Obsidian. -
Run the Shortcut
Trigger the shortcut from the Finder Quick Actions menu (right-click > Quick Actions > Copy Obsidian Link).
Tip: Pin the shortcut to your menu bar for faster access. -
Get the Link in Clipboard
The shortcut grabs the file name, encodes the path, and formats the markdown link, then copies it to your clipboard. -
Paste in Obsidian
Simply paste (Cmd + V) the link into your Obsidian note. It will look like this:
[My File](file:///path/to/My%20File)
Tips for Optimizing Your Shortcut Workflow
- Pin to Menu Bar: Keep the shortcut always accessible without digging through menus.
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Assign a custom keyboard shortcut in Shortcuts.app for lightning-fast access.
- Batch Processing: Select multiple files at once to generate multiple links (requires slight modification).
- Customize Link Text: Modify the shortcut’s Text action if you want to display something other than the file name.
- Test URL Encoding: Ensure special characters in file names are properly encoded to avoid broken links.
Potential Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Spaces and Special Characters: Without URL encoding, links break. This shortcut handles encoding automatically—don’t skip this step.
- File Path Changes: External symlinks break if the target file moves or is renamed. Keep your files organized.
- Shortcut Permissions: Ensure Shortcuts.app has permission to access Finder and clipboard.
- Input Type: This shortcut expects file input from Finder. Running it without selecting a file may cause errors or unexpected output.
Why Use External Symlinks in Obsidian?
External symlinks let you reference files outside your vault without importing or duplicating them. This keeps your vault lightweight and organized, especially when working with large media or project files stored elsewhere.
Final Thoughts
This shortcut is a simple but powerful tool to bridge macOS Finder and Obsidian’s markdown linking system. It cuts out manual steps and guesswork, letting you focus on building your knowledge base efficiently.
Try it out, tweak it to your needs, and watch how much smoother your workflow gets.
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