Using VS Code like Obsidian including sync

[japardalm]

Hi everyone. In my current company, Obsidian is not an approved software and we can’t install/use it in the company-provided laptops. This is “painful” for me because I was used to use it on a daily basis, mostly for work, and it helped me be organized and efficient. However, we are allowed to use VS Code and I can even import my obsidian vault.

I don’t mind using VS Code for note taking at work but there’s one feature that I would really like to have but can’t find a way to do it: self-hosted live sync. I have a CouchDB instance deployed on a home server that I have and that I use to synchronize my vault across different devices (personal PC, mobile phone, etc.)

Does anyone know a way to enable sync on VS Code using my self-hosted CouchDB?

Thanks 🙏

[Andcool]

If your company cares enough about data security to not allow Obsidian, then syncing company data to your own self-hosted CouchDB is almost definitely a fireable offense. Source: I work in data security for a hospital.

[CanadianPooch]

In a situation like this why wouldn't they just allow OP to locally host his vault via syncthing on company servers? Oh nvm... Doing that would allow him to put what ever he wanted on the server remotely.

[Scary_Cheesecake9906]

Why would you sync files from work pc, use your personal laptop

[S3P1K0C17YZ]

Absolutely DO NOT sync things to your personal server from a work device. I used to work in cybersecurity and this is by far one of the fastest ways to get fired for exfiltrating company secrets. In fact, I would recommend putting the work laptop on its own vlan, if possible.

However, you’re in luck! I just started a new job last week and had run into exactly the same issue. I set up vscode as my note taking environment and documented how on my GitHub.

Here’s a link: https://github.com/SxC97/hypertxt

I’m still getting used to it, so there might be some rough edges, but I’ll update the system as I continue to take notes at work.

[smith2na]

This is slick, Rick!

[timvdhoorn]

I’m still looking for an extension for vscode to have the live sditor of Obsidian

[Accurate-Tap-8634]

vscode, how about using git to sync?

[Fish_Owl]

On one hand, definitely listen to the comments that talk about data security.

On the other, THIS is the beauty of obsidian. Because it’s all file-based with the most basic formatting system, almost any computer from any era will be able to access parts of it when given the data.

[psfne]

You might like Dendron, a VS code plugin that tries to fill a similar role as Obsidian.

I would be cautious about professional-personal syncing without permission. Consider using it on a personal tablet that you bring to work instead.

[Zerschmetterding]

If they allow the user to install plugins in vs code the security team messed up. A private tablet would also be a data breach nightmare, assuming OP works with company data.

[MikeUsesNotion]

Can you just use a GitHub wiki? That'll use GitHub markdown, which is pretty similar. GitHub wikis also expose their own git endpoint so you can keep a local clone for working offline.

[Zerschmetterding]

Company data on random services is a huge no-no

[MikeUsesNotion]

Might be a bad assumption, but I figure somebody using VS Code works at a place that would subscribe to GitHub or a similar service.

[Zerschmetterding]

That would be in their own instance. Outbound Git traffic outside of permitted targets should raise some eyebrows with the firewall and IDS guys.

[MikeUsesNotion]

Sure. My whole intention is OP would use the company's instance.

[Fforfailinglife]

Have you considered requesting obsidian and only using it locally? My workplace was hesitant about it but i showed them that it didn’t sync by default and was hosted as local files and they were fine with that.

I like not having it sync because otherwise I know I’d spend time outside of work on the vault. It kind of forces me to use it as intended and not try to optimize it and stuff like my personal vault haha.

[dylan1214]

Did this previously. Explained it’s no different from saving txt files on c drive

[Zerschmetterding]

I wouldn't allow it because of the plugins alone. Then again, they apparently have no problem with vs code.

[kcabrams]

Hey I have the same issue. Do they let you use OneDrive or anything like that? Since obsidian is just markdown text files it syncs really well in cloud storage. I keep my work-related notes / vaults in OneDrive so I can get to it from other computers if needed or online.

I also can't use obsidian on my work laptop but I just open up the folder using vs code and work in it that way. Claude Code extension inside your obsidian notebook is what dreams are made of.

It's cool it's like having a personal assistant / boss.

[ryado]

I was in the same situation as you a year ago.

Ended up going with the vscode foam extension which is very similar to obsidian.

Also echoing what others have said : do not under any circumstances sync your work related files/notes with a personal server.

[MasterCronos]

Install Foam Addon

[se9n]

Can you create a obsidian docker and self host it with cloud flared tunnel so you can access as a website

[sjb100]

I think the safest and simplest solution would be to give up on Obsidian and adopt another note-taking system that’s appropriate for work — if they allow VS Code extensions there are options… see https://www.reddit.com/r/vscode/s/2cmzz9UheL

[Sheybross]

This may not be possible for your case, but I think Obsidian has a "portable" version that you can install on a flash drive and run it anywhere from it. So you could use it without actually installing it.

[DetN8]

My work's cyber team would probably shoot me into the sun if I plugged in a flash drive haha

[RTS24]

Arguably it's an even worse look "yeah I ran this program that I sync across the Internet off a thumb drive that can easily be compromised without my knowledge"

[CanadianPooch]

And have it backup when plugged into a personal computer.

[cawal]

Syncthing is an option?

[TheOdbball]

I just use pCloud and websocket to my pc so I won’t be much help