Syncing Obsidian Via Local WebDAV

A terminal-driven guide for mobile and Windows integration without cloud services

Highlights

Setup Local WebDAV Server: Learn to configure a secure, local environment using either NAS devices or standalone servers.
Terminal and Plugin Integration: Understand how to use terminal commands and plugins such as Remotely Save to synchronize your Obsidian vaults.
Cross-Platform Sync: Set up configurations on both Windows and mobile platforms for a reliable two-way sync.

Introduction

When it comes to syncing your Obsidian notes between your mobile device and Windows system without relying on cloud services, a local WebDAV server combined with terminal-based operations offers an efficient and secure solution. This method leverages WebDAV, a protocol that allows networked file management, which is ideal for creating a self-hosted synchronization environment. By using terminal commands alongside tools like the Remotely Save plugin for Obsidian, users can maintain a robust, offline ecosystem to keep their data in sync.

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough to set up a local WebDAV server, configure the Obsidian application on both Windows and mobile, and use terminal utilities to facilitate the synchronization process. The process is designed for easy implementation and minimal reliance on cloud services, ensuring privacy and greater control over your data.

Setting Up a Local WebDAV Server

A local WebDAV server acts as a centralized repository where your Obsidian vault resides. Setting this up is the first step in ensuring that both your mobile and Windows devices can access and update your notes consistently.

Installation Options

There are several methods to install and configure a local WebDAV server, depending on your operating system and hardware:

Using NAS Devices

If you have a NAS device such as Synology, you can enable WebDAV directly through the device’s control panel. For example, in Synology:

Create a new shared folder dedicated to your Obsidian vault.
Navigate to the File Services section and enable the WebDAV protocol.
Set up authentication by specifying a username and password to secure your connection.

Using Apache or Nginx

For those preferring a more manual setup, installing a WebDAV server on a dedicated Windows or Linux machine using Apache or Nginx offers flexibility. If you choose Apache:

Install Apache: Download and install Apache HTTP Server.
Enable DAV Modules: Modify configuration files (typically httpd.conf) to load necessary modules:
LoadModule dav_module modules/mod_dav.so
LoadModule dav_fs_module modules/mod_dav_fs.so

Configure the Directory: Define a directory block where WebDAV is enabled and set authentication:


# Example Apache DAV configuration
Alias /webdav "C:/path/to/your/obsidian/vault"
<Directory "C:/path/to/your/obsidian/vault">
    Dav On
    AuthType Basic
    AuthName "Obsidian Vault"
    AuthUserFile "C:/path/to/.htpasswd"
    Require valid-user
</Directory>

Testing Your Server

Once installation is complete, verify that your local WebDAV server is operational:

Use a WebDAV client or even your web browser to access the URL (e.g., http://localhost:port/webdav/your-vault).
Ensure you can upload, modify, and download files without errors.

Configuring Obsidian for Syncing

Setup on Windows

On your Windows machine, you will need to configure Obsidian to recognize the WebDAV server location as your vault directory. Follow these steps:

Initial Vault Setup

Open the Obsidian application and create a new vault, or choose an existing one. Instead of storing your vault in a default local directory, navigate to the network location provided by your WebDAV server (e.g., http://localhost:port/webdav/your-vault).

Using Terminal for Sync Commands

Terminal commands can further streamline the synchronization process. For example, you can use utilities like curl or cadaver to directly interact with your WebDAV server. A sample curl command might look like:


# Example command to upload a file to WebDAV server using curl
curl -T "C:/path/to/file.md" -u username:password http://localhost:port/webdav/your-vault/file.md

Similarly, you can script periodic sync operations using batch files or shell scripts to ensure that every change in your vault is reflected across devices.

Setup on Mobile Devices

While Obsidian mobile does not have native WebDAV support, employing a third-party plugin, such as Remotely Save, can bridge the gap.

Installing and Configuring the Plugin

To enable WebDAV in Obsidian mobile:

Download the Plugin: In the mobile version of Obsidian, navigate to the Community Plugins section and install Remotely Save.
Configure Cloud Settings Locally: Within the plugin settings, specify your WebDAV server URL (e.g., http://local-ip:port/webdav/your-vault), along with your login credentials.
Synchronize Manually: Since automatic syncing may not be fully integrated into the mobile interface, you may need to manually trigger the sync process by tapping the respective button in the plugin.

Ensuring Consistent Connectivity

Both mobile devices and Windows should be connected to the same local network. This ensures that the WebDAV service is reachable, and that files can be uploaded or downloaded without interruption.

Terminal-Based Synchronization Workflow

Integrating your terminal into your synchronization workflow offers a robust way to manage updates, especially if you are comfortable using command-line tools. Below is an in-depth look at how you can leverage terminal operations:

Basic Terminal Commands

The fundamental idea is to use a combination of local file synchronization tools and WebDAV commands. You might automate tasks to monitor changes in your Obsidian vault and trigger file uploads. A basic script might check for changes, then use curl to update the remote server.

Example Sync Script

Here is a sample shell script for Linux or macOS that can be modified for Windows using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or a bash emulator:


#!/bin/bash
# Monitor the Obsidian vault for changes
VAULT_DIR="/path/to/obsidian/vault"
WEB_DAV_URL="http://localhost:port/webdav/your-vault"
USERNAME="your_username"
PASSWORD="your_password"

# Upload changes using curl command
for file in $(find "$VAULT_DIR" -type f); do
    # Upload each file individually
    curl -T "$file" -u $USERNAME:$PASSWORD "$WEB_DAV_URL/$(basename "$file")"
done

This script illustrates the process: for every file in your vault folder, it uses curl to upload to the local WebDAV server. You can automate this script to run at regular intervals using cron (on Linux/macOS) or Task Scheduler (on Windows).

Automation and Scheduling

Automation is key when syncing across multiple devices, ensuring that no changes are missed. You can schedule the above script to execute every few minutes or whenever you detect file modifications. This can be done via:

Cron Jobs: For Unix-like systems, add an entry to your crontab file.
Task Scheduler: On Windows, use the built-in Task Scheduler to run a batch script that calls the bash script.

Manual Syncing Options

Even with automation, there might be scenarios where manual syncing becomes necessary, such as after significant note additions or updates. In such cases, you simply trigger the script manually from your terminal:


# Run the sync script manually
bash /path/to/your/sync_script.sh

This approach provides an additional safety net to ensure that all data is synchronized across your devices.

Additional Considerations and Troubleshooting

While setting up a local WebDAV server and terminal-based sync system is powerful, consider a few critical points to maximize reliability:

Backup Your Data

Before making any changes or starting the synchronization process, always create backups of your Obsidian vault. This ensures that you have a fallback in case of any accidental file deletions or unforeseen errors during synchronization.

Network Stability

Since this method relies on the devices being on the same local network, ensure that your network is stable. Any interruptions might result in sync failures or incomplete file transfers.

Consistent Application Versions

Make sure that the same version of Obsidian is running on both your Windows and mobile devices. Different versions may lead to compatibility issues, especially with plugins handling WebDAV connections and terminal sync operations.

Security Practices

Although you are using a local solution, consider securing your WebDAV connection with strong authentication and, if possible, encryption. Prevent unauthorized file access by regularly updating your passwords and monitoring network activity.

Using a Table for Quick Reference

Task	Tool/Command	Platform
Install WebDAV Server	Apache, Nginx, Synology NAS	Windows/Linux/macOS/NAS
Configure Obsidian Vault	Remotely Save Plugin	Windows, Mobile (iOS/Android)
Terminal Upload	curl, cadaver	Linux/macOS/WSL on Windows
Automation	Cron Jobs, Task Scheduler	All systems

Conclusion

In summary, syncing Obsidian between mobile devices and Windows through a local WebDAV server using terminal commands can be both secure and efficient. By setting up a WebDAV server—whether via a NAS device or a dedicated software solution like Apache or Nginx—you establish a local repository for your Obsidian vault that is accessible over your local network. Configuring the Obsidian applications with the proper URLs, credentials, and using a plugin removes the reliance on cloud services, thereby enhancing privacy and control.

The integration of terminal commands further streamlines the process, offering a scriptable approach to file synchronization. Whether you prefer automation through cron jobs or manual overrides via the terminal, this method covers all bases for maintaining data consistency across different devices. Incorporating reliable backup routines and ensuring network stability are essential practices to avoid data loss or corruption. Overall, this method offers a highly customizable and private sync solution ideal for those who are proficient with terminal operations and desire full control over their syncing environment.