Use case or problem
I organize files across macOS/iOS with native filesystem tags but can’t manage or view these tags within Obsidian. Having to switch to Finder/Files.app to handle tags is inconvenient. These tags provide a very convenient and visual way to label notes at a glance.
Proposed solution
Add support for native macOS/iOS filesystem tags in Obsidian:
- Allow adding/removing tags via context menu or command palette
- Display colored tag indicators next to note names in file explorer, matching appearance in Finder/Files.app
- (Optional) Add tag filter/search capabilities in file explorer
- (Optional) Expose filesystem tag operations through Obsidian API for plugin developers
Given that Obsidian strives for feature parity across platforms, this request is specifically about displaying, setting, and removing filesystem tags - not using them for any Obsidian-specific functionality. The need not be displayed on other platforms.
This integration would leverage the OS’s built-in tagging system rather than creating another proprietary solution. This is preferable because:
- Tags persist even if viewing files outside Obsidian
- It’s future-proof, relying on OS features rather than third-party implementations
- Allows organizing Obsidian notes together with files outside Obsidian
Current workaround
Must switch to Finder/Files app to manage tags.