Version Control for Obsidian
Not another Git wrapper. Not automatic backup. This is version control for your thoughts.
If you’re a writer, a perfectionist, or someone who iterates through multiple drafts before finding the right words—this plugin was made for you. It’s for those moments when you want to save something meaningful, not because a timer went off, but because you decided this version is worth keeping.
A Different Philosophy
Git is amazing, but it wasn’t designed for writers. Git treats your entire vault as a single branch, but when you’re writing, you don’t want to version a folder—you want to version a note. A single piece of writing. A specific idea.
This plugin flips that model:
- Git versions folders → This plugin versions individual files
- Git treats a vault as a branch → This plugin treats each note as its own repository
- Git makes you leave the file to branch → This plugin lets you branch within the note
Think of it this way: you’re writing a note about a complex idea. You want to explore two different angles—maybe a technical explanation vs. a philosophical one. With Git, you’d need to create separate files or switch branches. With this plugin, you branch your thoughts right there in the same note, each with its own independent history.
The Core Philosophy: Conscious Milestones
At its heart, this plugin is about intentionality—saving versions when you decide they’re worth saving. When you’ve reached a milestone. When you’ve captured something meaningful that you might want to return to later.
- For perfectionists: Save each iteration as you refine your ideas, without cluttering your vault with “Copy of…” files.
- For writers: Mark meaningful drafts (“First complete thought,” “After research,” “Final before rewrite”) instead of generic timestamps.
- For thinkers: Branch your ideas to explore different directions, then merge back what works.
This intentional approach to version control is the core philosophy of this plugin—it’s designed for people who want to be in control of their creative evolution.
But we also have your back. Alongside intentional Version History, this plugin offers an optional Edit History feature—automatic, passive snapshots that work in the background as a safety net. You get the best of both worlds: conscious milestones when you want them, and invisible protection when you need it.
Works With Git, Not Against It
Because this plugin operates at the file level (not the vault level), it plays perfectly alongside Git:
- Use Git to manage your vault structure, sync across devices, and track large-scale changes
- Use this plugin to manage the fine-grained evolution of individual notes, with meaningful milestones and experimental branches
No conflicts. No competition. Two complementary tools for different scales of version control.
What This Plugin Supports
As of now, this plugin provides version control for:
Markdown files (.md) – Your notes, your writing, your ideas- Obsidian Bases (
.base) – Yes, these too! 
Canvas files (.canvas) – Planned for future releases
Key Features That Transform Your Workflow
Save Intentional Snapshots
Create meaningful version milestones with custom names and descriptions. Save “First complete thought,” “After research,” “Final before rewrite” – exactly when YOU decide it’s worth preserving.
Preview & Restore with Confidence
Quickly glance at any old version’s content without leaving your current file. When you find something you want, restore it with a single click. The plugin automatically saves a backup of your current content before restoring, so you can experiment fearlessly.
Advanced Comparison (Diff) Engine
See exactly what changed between any two versions with multiple comparison modes:
- Line Diff: Traditional line-by-line comparison
- Word Diff: See exactly which words changed
- Character Diff: Catch even the smallest modifications
- Smart Diff: Intelligent comparison that understands context
- Panel or Window View: Choose how you want to review changes
Create Deviations (New Notes)
Turn any old version into a completely separate file. Perfect for major rewrites, spin-off ideas, or exploring completely different directions without losing your original work.
Branch Within the Same Note
Need to try a different direction within the same file? Create branches to work on parallel ideas. Each branch has its own independent history, so you can experiment freely without affecting your main draft.
Dual History System
Version History (intentional snapshots you control) + Edit History (automatic background protection). Choose what works best for your workflow—or use both for maximum flexibility.
Timeline View
See your note’s evolution as a chronological list with:
- Event cards showing version history (intentional) vs edit history (automatic)
- Expandable details showing exactly what changed between versions
- Search functionality to find specific changes or time periods
- Combined or separate views of Version and Edit history
Smart Management
Keep your history tidy with intelligent cleanup, bulk operations, and customizable retention policies that preserve important milestones while managing storage efficiently.
Export Your History
Export your work in multiple formats:
- Markdown: Human-readable format that works anywhere
- JSON: Structured data for programmatic use
- NDJSON: Streaming JSON format for large datasets
- Plain Text: Simple text format
Flexible Interface
Choose between viewing modes that fit your workflow:
- Card View: Rich cards showing all version details at a glance
- List View: Compact, minimal interface for focused work
- Dark/Light Mode: Automatically adapts to your Obsidian theme
- Customizable Display: Show/hide names, descriptions, timestamps, and statistics
Granular Settings & Automation
Customize every aspect with global or per-note settings:
- Auto-save settings: Save versions automatically on file save or at intervals
- Smart triggers: Save only when significant changes occur (word count, line count, character count)
- Watch mode: Background monitoring with customizable intervals
- Path filtering: Automatically register or exclude notes based on file paths
Mobile-First Design
Unlike Git, this plugin works seamlessly across all your devices with full feature parity, touch-optimized interface, and responsive design that adapts to any screen size.
Privacy & Data Control
Your data stays yours with local storage only, portable Markdown format, persistent data that survives plugin removal, and optional compression for space efficiency.
How is this different from Obsidian’s File Recovery?
Obsidian File Recovery: A basic, passive safety net for “oops” moments.
Version Control (This Plugin): A comprehensive toolkit—intentional milestones for your creative workflow plus automatic edit tracking for peace of mind.
Here’s the key differences:
| Aspect | File Recovery | This Plugin |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Automatic snapshots only | Manual, intentional milestones + automatic protection |
| Naming | No custom names | Meaningful names like “Brainstorming complete” |
| UI | Hidden modal | Always-visible sidebar interface |
| Purpose | Disaster recovery | Creative workflow enhancement |
| Features | Basic restore | Branching, diffing, timeline, export, deviations |
| Visibility | On-demand | Integrated into your daily workflow |
Two Types of History
This plugin offers two complementary approaches:
Version History (Intentional Snapshots)
- When: Only when you explicitly choose to save
- Purpose: Creative milestones and meaningful drafts
- Storage:
.versiondbfolder (in your vault) - Format: Full Markdown copies
- Best for: Perfectionists and conscious creators
Edit History (Automatic Snapshots)
- When: Based on your settings (file save, intervals, change thresholds)
- Purpose: Safety net and session recovery
- Storage:
.versiondbfolder (in your vault) - Format: Compressed diffs (space-efficient)
- Best for: “Oops” moments and seeing how you evolved
The key insight: When you’re writing, you don’t want to version a folder—you want to version a thought. This plugin gives you that focused control.
Quick Start Guide
For immediate use:
- Save your first version: Click the
+button in the bottom-right corner - Switch between histories: Click “Version History” or “Edit History” in the header
- Access settings: Click the gear icon in the top-right corner
- View timeline: Click the menu button (☰) → “Timeline”
- Create branches: Click the menu button (☰) → “Branches”
Platform Support
- Mobile (iOS & Android)
- Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Download
To jump straight to the Version Control plugin in Obsidian, try this:
- Click the URI: Copy and paste or click this link, which should launch the app: obsidian://show-plugin?id=version-control
- Alternatively (Search): If the link doesn’t work, go to your Obsidian Settings and search for ‘Version-Control’ in the Community Plugins list.
Final Thoughts
This plugin was born from my own workflow frustrations. As someone who constantly modifies and perfects the same note, creating many variations until I’m satisfied, I needed a solution that gave me control. Not vault-wide version tracking. Not hidden modals. Just simple, intentional milestones for my ideas—with the option for automatic protection when I want it.
If that resonates with you—if you’re someone who wants to consciously manage how your thoughts evolve, while also having a safety net for those inevitable “oops” moments—then this plugin might be exactly what you need.
Made with 
for writers, perfectionists, and conscious creators.