Getting started

You use Obsidian to read and write your notes, an AI agent to help maintain them, and the Lifebase CLI to install and update the workspace. Each has a separate role; installing the CLI alone does not start an AI assistant.

What you need

Have Node.js 20 or newer with npm, Obsidian, a Lifebase license key, and internet access for activation and downloads. The CLI supports macOS, Windows, and Linux. Linux sign-in also needs an installed and unlocked Secret Service-compatible credential store with secret-tool.

Install the AI agent you intend to use separately. Its account, model access, subscription, or API charges are separate from Lifebase. The agent guide explains how to connect an existing tool.

Your first installation

1. Install Lifebase through the terminal wizard. Choose the content language and a release available to your license.
2. Open the installed folder as a vault in Obsidian and enable its bundled community plugins when prompted.
3. Open that same folder in your AI agent and start onboarding.
4. Review your first daily note and verify that the required daily maintenance job is registered and tested.

The website language does not select your vault language. The CLI wizard uses English prompts and asks separately which content language to install. Available releases depend on your license and the release catalog.

What belongs where

Journal holds daily records and schedules. Tasks holds actions and work that needs progress tracking. Knowledge holds sources, topic notes, and study records. Life, Career, and Ideas hold notes about other parts of your life, while _Profile holds personal context you choose to keep.

You do not need to fill every folder or complete a detailed profile to begin. Onboarding establishes the required basics, then offers personalization and optional setup. Synchronization, independent backup setup, Git, and importing old notes can be handled separately.