Use case or problem
I sync my Obsidian vault across multiple Apple devices using iCloud, including an iPhone, an iPad, a MacBook, and a Mac Mini.
Obsidian already solves workspace conflicts between mobile and desktop by using a separate workspace-mobile.json file for iOS/Android. However, all desktop devices are forced to share a single workspace.json file.
Because my MacBook and Mac Mini have completely different screen sizes, resolutions, and physical monitor layouts, sharing a single workspace file causes friction. Every time I switch from my Mac Mini (large desktop monitor) to my MacBook (smaller laptop screen), my sidebar states, open tabs, and window panes are poorly scaled or misplaced, forcing me to manually re-adjust my layout every single time I switch devices.
Using the “Override config folder” workaround forces me to manually manage entirely separate configurations, which breaks plugin and hotkey syncing between my Macs.
Proposed solution
Implement a system where desktop layouts can be separated, similar to how mobile is separated from desktop.
Ideally, Obsidian could either:
- Generate device-specific workspace files (e.g.,
workspace-macbook.json,workspace-mini.json) based on a device identifier. - Introduce a configuration toggle or native desktop behavior that acts like
workspace-mobile.json, allowing multiple desktop profiles or recognizing different hostnames to keep the layouts isolated while keeping the rest of the.obsidianconfiguration unified.
Current workaround
The only current workaround is duplicating the .obsidian config folder into device-specific versions (e.g., .obsidian-macbook and .obsidian-mini) and using the Override config folder setting. However, this is suboptimal because it stops community plugins, core settings, and hotkeys from syncing between my two macOS devices.