The video describes how Nick Milo combined Obsidian Bases and Workspaces into four distinct “modes” of Obsidian—Inner Guide, Producer, Synthesizer, and Creative—and shows concrete dashboards and sidebars for each mode.youtube​

Video Outline

1. Setup and core idea

2. Prerequisite: Workspaces configuration

3. Mode 1 – Inner Guide (Dynamic Days)

4. Inner Guide – Dynamic Reviews

5. Mode 2 – Producer (Dynamic Projects)

6. Producer – Dynamic E&Ps (Efforts & Projects)

7. Mode 3 – Synthesizer (Dynamic Relationships)

8. Synthesizer – Dynamic ACE

9. Synthesizer – Dynamic Maps

10. Mode 4 – Creative (Dynamic Dots)

11. Creative – Dynamic Garden

12. Closing mindset and invitation

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3KHlz89cRs&t=206s
From this video, can you give me a step-by-step tutorial on how to setup a workspace and then a base in Obsidian? You can use outside sources, too, if it help to clarify the steps to set up an obsidian base.

To set this up, first create a workspace layout, then create a base that powers what you see in the middle pane and sidebars.youtube​obsidian+1​

Tutorial

Enable and configure Workspaces

  1. Turn on Workspaces core plugin

  2. Assign hotkeys for managing layouts

    • Go to Settings → Hotkeys and search for “Workspaces”.obsidian​youtube​

    • Set a hotkey for “Manage workspace layouts” (Nick uses Command+Control+Option+5 on Mac; choose something similar on your system).youtube​

    • Set a second hotkey for “Save layout” (he uses the same modifiers + 8 so the keys are physically separated).youtube​

  3. Create a basic workspace

    • Arrange Obsidian the way you want (e.g., one central note, sidebars visible/hidden, specific panes open).notes.nicolevanderhoeven​youtube​

    • Use your Manage workspace layouts hotkey and click Save. Give it a name like base blank slate.obsidian​youtube​

    • Optionally make a second workspace base blank with recents by opening a Recents/base view in the sidebar, then saving that layout as a different workspace.youtube​

  4. Switch between workspaces

    • Hit your Manage workspace layouts hotkey and select any saved workspace (e.g., Inner Guide – Dynamic Days, Producer – Dynamic Projects if you create them).youtube​

    • Obsidian will rearrange to that exact set of tabs and panes with one command.obsidian​youtube​

Enable Bases and create your first base

  1. Turn on the Bases plugin

  2. Create a base file (table of notes)
    You have three main options; pick whichever fits:

    • From the File explorer: Right‑click a folder (e.g., Atlas/Sources) and choose New base. This creates a .base file in that folder.obsidian+1​

    • From the Command Palette: Press Command/Control+P → type “Bases” → choose Bases: Create new base to create a standalone base in the active file’s folder.youtube​obsidian​

    • Insert into an existing note: Command/Control+P → Bases: Insert new base to create a base and embed it directly into the current note.youtube​obsidian​

  3. Open and inspect the base

    • Click the new base file; you will see a table view listing notes (by default, all files or all files in that folder).practicalpkm​youtube​

    • Use the column header menu to show/hide properties like file.name, file.path, file.created, file.modified, tags, or any frontmatter fields you already have.youtube​practicalpkm​

Filter and shape what the base shows

  1. Add global filters (All views)

    • In the base toolbar, click the Filter button.obsidian​youtube​

    • Under All views, add conditions such as:

      • Property: file.path → operator: starts with → value: Atlas/Sources (or your folder path) to limit the base to that folder.obsidian+1​

      • Or filter by tag, e.g. tags contains #project.obsidian​

    • These filters apply to every view in this base.obsidian​

  2. Create specific views (per‑use slices)

    • In the base, add a new View (e.g., “Active Projects”, “Books”, “Days by Month”).obsidian+1​

    • For each view, you can:

      • Choose View type (table, list, cards, depending on your Obsidian version).practicalpkm​youtube​

      • Under This view filters, add extra conditions; e.g.:

        • status = "active"

        • folder starts with Efforts/Projects/Active.obsidian​youtube​

    • Adjust sorting (e.g., rank descending, then file.created descending) and grouping (e.g., group by created month for daily notes).obsidian​youtube​

  3. Edit properties inline in the base

    • Click into a cell (e.g., rank, status, author) and edit it directly; the base will re‑sort instantly.youtube+1​

    • This is how Nick promotes/demotes projects in his Producer mode by changing the rank property.youtube​

Wire bases into a workspace layout

  1. Place the base in the center pane

    • Open your base file in the main tab group and choose the view you want for this mode (e.g., Calendar table, Projects table).youtube​

    • Optionally open a daily note or project note in another tab group if you want note + base side‑by‑side.obsidian​youtube​

  2. Embed base views in sidebars

    • Create or open a note that will act as your dashboard (e.g., Inner Guide – Dynamic Days).youtube​

    • Embed specific base views using standard embed syntax, for example:

      • ![[Calendar base#Days table by month]] for the left sidebar.obsidian​youtube​

      • ![[Calendar base#Days list by month]] for the right sidebar.youtube​

    • Drag that dashboard note into the left or right sidebar so it becomes a pinned pane.obsidian​youtube​

  3. Save this as a workspace mode

    • With the central base and sidebar dashboards arranged, use your Save layout hotkey.obsidian​youtube​

    • Name it something like Inner Guide – Dynamic Days or Producer – Dynamic Projects.youtube​

    • Repeat with other combinations (different bases/views in center and sidebars) to build multiple modes you can switch between in one keystroke.youtube​

Minimal “from scratch” recipe

If you tell which first base you want (e.g., Projects, Calendar, Sources), a concrete YAML/property setup for that exact use case can be sketched next.

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3KHlz89cRs&t=206s
  2. https://help.obsidian.md/plugins/workspaces
  3. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/create-base
  4. https://notes.nicolevanderhoeven.com/obsidian-playbook/Obsidian+Plugins/Core+Plugins/Workspaces
  5. https://help.obsidian.md/plugins
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpyIuLmEidQ
  7. https://practicalpkm.com/bases-plugin-overview/
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yt52zJIIG0
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFNVt5Gdjcg
  10. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/views
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwTHj8in6e4
  12. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/syntax
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiI1ekkiB2k
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPCcaL3nd9s
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOHlSgcvUPM
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWUQbK8KlOo
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOsL2eP-N6g
  18. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1mjfeci/how_to_create_a_dynamic_filter_of_a_base_using/
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW3kXErkJk
  20. https://docs.obsidian.md/plugins/guides/bases-view
  21. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1eq71l8/a_guide_to_obsidian_core_plugins/
I'd like to set up a Calendar base. Can you help me with that?

Calendar Base Setup

Yes. Here’s a concrete, minimal way to build a Calendar base similar to what Nick shows, assuming you’re already using Daily Notes.youtube​obsidian​

1. Prepare your daily notes

2. Enable the Bases plugin

3. Create a Calendar base file

  1. In the File explorer, right‑click your daily-notes folder (e.g. Calendar or Calendar/Daily).practicalpkm+1​

  2. Choose New base.

  3. Give it a name like Calendar base. This creates a .base file and opens it as a table.obsidian​

You should now see a list of notes in a table view (one row per note).youtube​practicalpkm​

4. Filter the base to only daily notes

  1. In the Calendar base toolbar, click Filter.obsidian+1​

  2. Under All views (global filters), add a condition:

    • Property: file.path

    • Operator: starts with

    • Value: Calendar/Daily (or your actual daily-notes folder path).obsidian+1​

  3. Confirm. The table should now only show daily notes.obsidian​

5. Add useful columns and sorting

This gives you a simple “Days list” base like Nick’s center pane.youtube​

6. Create “Days by month” and “On This Day” views

A. Days by month (grouped table)

  1. In the Calendar base, create a new View and name it Days by month.obsidian​

  2. Use View type: Table.obsidian​

  3. Under Group, choose file.created (or your date property) and group by month. This will stack November, October, etc., as sections.youtube​obsidian​

  4. Keep the same sort (latest first).

This mimics Nick’s left sidebar “Days table by month”.youtube​

B. On This Day (same calendar day across years)

  1. Create another View called On this day.obsidian​

  2. Use View type: Table.

  3. Add a This view filter (keep your folder filter from step 4):

    • Property: your date property or file.name (if it includes the date).

    • Logic: filter to notes whose month and day match today.

    • Because Bases UI is evolving, the simplest workaround right now is:

      • Either use a separate date property (e.g. day-of-year) computed beforehand.

      • Or manually set a filter for a specific day while you’re experimenting (e.g. file.name contains 12-28).obsidian+1​

Nick’s “Dynamic Days” workspace uses a similar On This Day style view to surface many years of daily notes for the same date.youtube​

7. Embed Calendar views into a dashboard note

  1. Create a note called Inner Guide – Dynamic Days.youtube​

  2. Inside, embed your views:

# Dynamic Days

Left (month view):
![[Calendar base#Days by month]]

Right (list view):
![[Calendar base#Default view]]  <!-- or "On this day", etc. -->
  1. Open this dashboard note twice and drag one copy into the left sidebar and one into the right sidebar, picking the appropriate embedded view in each pane.obsidian​youtube​

Now you have the “Calendar in center + left/right sidebars” pattern from the video.youtube​

8. Save as a workspace (optional but powerful)

  1. Arrange panes as you like:

    • Center: Calendar base in your preferred view.

    • Left sidebar: dashboard note showing Days by month.

    • Right sidebar: dashboard note showing On this day or “Days list”.youtube​

  2. Use Workspaces:

    • Ensure Workspaces is enabled in Settings → Core plugins.obsidian​

    • In Settings → Hotkeys, assign a hotkey to Manage workspace layouts and Save layout.obsidian​youtube​

    • Press your Save layout hotkey and name this workspace Inner Guide – Dynamic Days.youtube​

From now on, one hotkey gives you a live calendar dashboard over all daily notes, just like in the video.youtube​

If you tell how your daily notes are currently named and where they live, a concrete filter expression and property set for your exact vault can be sketched next.

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3KHlz89cRs&t=206s
  2. https://help.obsidian.md/plugins/daily-notes
  3. https://help.obsidian.md/plugins
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpyIuLmEidQ
  5. https://practicalpkm.com/bases-plugin-overview/
  6. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/create-base
  7. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/views
  8. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/syntax
  9. https://forum.obsidian.md/t/base-calendar-view/104383
  10. https://practicalpkm.com/on-this-day-with-bases/
  11. https://help.obsidian.md/plugins/workspaces
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs1msUGolqs
  13. https://forum.obsidian.md/t/new-plugin-daily-note-calendar/92087
  14. https://www.valerieburzynski.com/blog/how-to-generate-a-calendar-for-obsidian/
  15. https://planettash.com/2025/05/26/how-to-use-daily-notes-in-obsidian-for-journaling-and-planning/
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMtSiNB7_10
  17. https://github.com/liamcain/obsidian-calendar-plugin
  18. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1ozl3li/bases_calendar_view_on_the_roadmap_incredible/
  19. https://github.com/702573N/Obsidian-Tasks-Calendar
  20. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1irkx4o/get_started_with_daily_notes_in_obsidian/
  21. https://obsidian.md/plugins?search=Calendar
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNj9gWAylYY
  23. https://vaultofjosh.com/blog/obsidian-periodic-notes/
  24. https://www.obsidianstats.com/plugins/every-day-calendar
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny8lksaQ5A8
  26. https://www.obsidianstats.com/plugins/daily-note-calendar
  27. https://forum.obsidian.md/t/dataview-full-calendar-for-daily-agenda/44185
  28. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/yumj17/how_do_i_get_the_calendar_plugin_to_create_my/

You can set up a Projects base by first organizing a Projects folder, then creating a base filtered to that folder with views for Active, Simmering, and Sleeping projects.youtube​obsidian​

Projects Base

1. Prepare your Projects folders and note template

  1. In your vault, create an Efforts/Projects structure (or adapt names to your system):tfthacker.substack​youtube​

    • Efforts/Projects/Active

    • Efforts/Projects/Simmering

    • Efforts/Projects/Sleeping

  2. Create a project note template (used when you start new projects) with frontmatter like:

---
type: project
status: active        # active | simmering | sleeping
rank: 5.0             # priority; higher = more important
area:                  # optional: Area of Effort
up:                    # optional: parent project/effort
---

# {{title}}

- **Status:** active
- **Rank:** 5.0
- **Area:** 
- **Up:** 

## Why this project matters

## Next actions

- [ ]

## Notes

This gives Bases consistent properties to display and sort.obsidian​youtube​

2. Enable Bases and create the Projects base

  1. Ensure Bases is enabled in Settings → Core plugins.obsidian+1​

  2. In the File explorer, right‑click the top Projects folder (e.g. Efforts/Projects).obsidian​

  3. Choose New base and name it Projects base.obsidian​

  4. Open Projects base; you should see a table of all notes under Efforts/Projects.obsidian​

3. Filter the base to only project notes

  1. In Projects base, click Filter.obsidian+1​

  2. Under All views (global filters), add:

    • Property: file.path

    • Operator: starts with

    • Value: Efforts/Projects (adjust if your folder is named differently).obsidian+1​

  3. Optionally, add another global filter to ensure only project notes are shown:

    • Property: type

    • Operator: =

    • Value: project.obsidian​

Now the base lists only project notes in your Projects folders.obsidian​

4. Add useful columns and default sorting

  1. In the header row of the table, use the column menu to show:obsidian+1​

    • file.name

    • file.path

    • rank

    • status

    • area

    • up

    • file.modified

  2. In Sort, configure:youtube​obsidian​

    • Primary: rank descending (higher rank at top).

    • Secondary: file.modified descending (recently touched projects first).

This gives you a “Projects – All” view similar to Nick’s main Projects base.youtube​

5. Create views for Active, Simmering, and Sleeping

You’ll create three views that all share the global folder filter but slice by subfolder or status.obsidian​youtube​

  1. Active Projects view

    • Add a new View named Active.

    • Under This view filters, choose either:

      • file.path starts with Efforts/Projects/Active

      • or status = active (if you prefer status‑based).obsidian​youtube​

    • Keep the rank → file.modified sort.

  2. Simmering Projects view

    • Add a view named Simmering.

    • Filter: file.path starts with Efforts/Projects/Simmering or status = simmering.youtube​

  3. Sleeping Projects view

    • Add a view named Sleeping.

    • Filter: file.path starts with Efforts/Projects/Sleeping or status = sleeping.youtube​

You now have three tabs inside Projects base that match the three intensities.tfthacker.substack​youtube​

6. Use and update projects via the base

7. Optionally wire this into a “Producer – Dynamic Projects” workspace

If you share your existing folder names and any project properties you already use, the filters and columns can be tuned precisely to your vault.

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3KHlz89cRs&t=206s
  2. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/create-base
  3. https://tfthacker.substack.com/p/ace-an-exciting-framework-for-pkm
  4. https://help.obsidian.md/bases
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UZemN4EVA0
  6. https://help.obsidian.md/plugins
  7. https://practicalpkm.com/bases-plugin-overview/
  8. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/views
  9. https://forum.obsidian.md/t/bases-migration-quick-start-guide/101571
  10. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/syntax
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpyIuLmEidQ
  12. https://help.obsidian.md/plugins/workspaces
  13. https://forum.obsidian.md/t/projects-list-based-on-folder-and-subfolder-contents/52741
  14. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1lt6abo/how_to_easily_organize_projects_tasks_with/
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yt52zJIIG0
  16. https://hannahswainlovik.eu/2024/12/02/rethinking-work-efforts-matter-more-than-projects/
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEbZy3gw90w
  18. https://effortlessacademic.com/using-obsidian-bases-for-academic-note-taking/
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew7ZBu4r8vg
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwTHj8in6e4
  21. https://forum.obsidian.md/t/folders-vs-linking-vs-tags-the-definitive-guide-extremely-short-read-this/78468
  22. https://thesystemsthinker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Systems-Archetypes-I-TRSA01_pk.pdf
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmatz3wPEJo
  24. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1lo96wc/managing_folders_with_bases/
  25. https://forum.obsidian.md/t/the-ultimate-folder-system-a-quixotic-journey-to-ace/63483
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TECHXQRKWU
  27. https://www.reddit.com/r/gatewaytapes/comments/1emqnb6/boiling_down_the_monroe_method_to_the_absolute/
Lastly, I have a number of obsidian notes that are video outlines, with properties like image, Title, Creator, url, created (date), subject (list), description, and tags. I'd like to make a base for these so I can quickly find video by subject, date, creator, or simlarities. How do I set that up? We can start with workspaces and go from there!

Video Outlines Base

Set this up in two layers: a workspace for “video mode,” and a base that indexes your video-outline notes by properties like creator, subject, and date.obsidian​

1. Workspace for video notes

  1. Enable Workspaces (if not already)

    • Go to Settings → Core plugins and toggle Workspaces on.obsidian​

    • In Settings → Hotkeys, give Manage workspace layouts and Save current workspace convenient shortcuts.obsidian​

  2. Arrange a “Video Hub” layout

    • Open a few typical video notes in the main pane and side pane so you can see properties while taking notes.

    • Leave one empty pane (or tab) where your Videos base will live.

  3. Save the workspace

    • Use Save current workspace, name it something like Video – Dynamic Library.youtube​obsidian​

You will come back and drop the base into this workspace’s empty pane.

2. Standardize properties on your video notes

Make sure your video-outline notes share consistent properties so the base can filter and group them well.youtube​

Example frontmatter for each video note:

---
type: video
Title: The Biggest Obsidian Upgrade I’ve Made in Years…
Creator: Nick Milo
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KekL4cLtpuc
image: https://img.youtube.com/vi/KekL4cLtpuc/hqdefault.jpg
created: 2025-12-28        # date you created the note
subject:
  - Obsidian
  - Bases
  - PKM
description: >
  Walkthrough of the Home Base note and how it connects Atlas, Calendar, and Efforts.
tags:
  - yt/video
  - obsidian
  - bases
---

3. Create a “Videos” base

  1. Enable Bases

    • In Settings → Core plugins, turn on Bases.obsidian​

  2. Create the base file

    • In the File explorer, right‑click the folder that holds your video notes (e.g. Atlas/Videos).

    • Choose New base and name it Videos base.obsidian+1​

    • Open Videos base; you should see a table of notes.

  3. Global filter: only video notes

    • In the base toolbar, click Filter.obsidian​

    • Under All views, add:

      • file.path starts with Atlas/Videos (or your actual folder).

      • type = video if you use type: video in frontmatter.retypeapp.github​

This base is now your master index of video-outline notes.obsidian​

4. Add key columns and default sorting

  1. Show useful columns

    • Use the column menu to add: Title, Creator, created, subject, tags, url, image.practicalpkm​

    • You can also keep file.name and file.path visible for debugging.

  2. Sort defaults

    • In Sort, set:

      • Primary: created descending (newest videos first).

      • Secondary: Title ascending.obsidian​

Now you can already scan by date and quickly see creator and subjects.obsidian​

5. Create views for subject, creator, and date

A. “By subject” view (filter or group)

  1. Add a new View in Videos base named By subject.obsidian​

  2. Keep View type: Table.

  3. To scan by subject, you have two options:

This makes it easy to see all videos related to “Obsidian”, “AI”, “History”, etc.obsidian​

B. “By creator” view

  1. Add a view named By creator.

  2. Use View type: Table.

  3. Use either:

    • Filter: Creator = Nick Milo (or any creator), which you can change on the fly.

    • Or Group by: Creator so you get one section per creator.productivematters.substack​

C. “Timeline” view (by created date)

  1. Add a view named Timeline.

  2. Keep View type: Table.

  3. Sort by created descending, and optionally group by year or month if your Bases version supports date grouping.productivematters.substack+1​

Now you can scan: “What videos did I process in November?” or “Which notes came from 2023?”.practicalpkm​

6. Use similarity views (same subject or creator)

To find “similar” videos, combine filters on subject and Creator.obsidian​

For more flexible “similarity,” you can keep a general By subject view and just tweak the filter interactively each time.youtube​

7. Drop the base into your video workspace

  1. Open your Video – Dynamic Library workspace.obsidian​

  2. In the empty pane you reserved, open Videos base and choose the view you want by default (e.g. Timeline or By subject).youtube​

  3. Save the workspace again so it remembers that Videos base is part of the layout.obsidian​

Optional:

# Video Library

All videos:
![[Videos base#Default]]

By subject:
![[Videos base#By subject]]

By creator:
![[Videos base#By creator]]

If you share the exact folder path of your video notes and whether subject is always a list, a precise set of filter/group choices (and example screenshots in words) can be tailored to match your vault structure.

  1. https://help.obsidian.md/bases
  2. https://help.obsidian.md/plugins/workspaces
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3KHlz89cRs&t=206s
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTousqjQM0w
  5. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/create-base
  6. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/views
  7. https://retypeapp.github.io/obsidian/bases/syntax/
  8. https://practicalpkm.com/bases-plugin-overview/
  9. https://productivematters.substack.com/p/obsidian-110-insider-group-by-list
  10. https://practicalpkm.com/on-this-day-with-bases/
  11. https://help.obsidian.md/bases/syntax
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwTHj8in6e4
  13. https://forum.obsidian.md/t/dynamic-base-filter-by-property/104778
  14. https://blog.optional.page/misc/bases/
  15. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1mjfeci/how_to_create_a_dynamic_filter_of_a_base_using/
  16. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1mk9zti/set_formula_for_filtering_base_within_property/
  17. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1p5h2qx/base_and_individual_grouping_by_properties/
  18. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1kty3q0/bases_vs_dataview_how_to_filter_from_front_matter/
  19. https://blacksmithgu.github.io/obsidian-dataview/queries/data-commands/
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWUQbK8KlOo
  21. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1l86us2/discussion_regarding_metadataproperties_does/
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSqGAuvqC8Y
  23. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1l4sx07/first_look_at_the_obsidian_bases_core_plugin_full/
  24. https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/168cu6r/obsidian_graph_view_filter_and_properties/