Obsidian Aside
Overview
Obsidian Aside is a community plugin for Obsidian that adds a persistent AI chatbot panel to the sidebar. Users can ask questions, generate content, or get explanations without leaving their note-taking environment. It leverages large language models (LLMs) to provide context-aware responses based on the current note or vault content. The plugin is designed for power users who want to streamline their workflow by combining AI assistance with their knowledge base.
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Key Features
- Context-aware AI chat within Obsidian sidebar
- Supports multiple LLM backends (configurable)
- Automatically references current note content
- Customizable prompts and response style
- Lightweight and integrates with Obsidian's native UI
Pros
- Seamless integration with Obsidian ecosystem
- Enhances productivity by reducing app switching
- Open-source and extensible via plugin API
Cons
- Requires external API key for LLM access
- May have limited features compared to standalone AI chatbots
- Plugin stability depends on community updates
Who Is This Tool Best For?
Obsidian users who want an embedded AI chatbot to assist with writing, research, and note organization.
Pricing
Obsidian Aside has no published price in our listing on ToolFlect. The listing states no price tier; the plugin is free to install and running it costs whatever the connected model charges on your own account. Details are on the plugin page. Anything quoted here dates; ask the plugin page.
Alternatives
- A standalone chat assistant — Nothing to install, and you copy text in and out by hand.
- A built-in AI feature from a note app — Supported by the vendor, and it means moving your notes.
- A local model runner — Nothing leaves the machine, with real hardware requirements.
Our AI tools directory compares them.
Use cases
Drafting inside your notes
Writing with the assistant beside the note keeps the context where the work already is.
Asking about what you have written
Querying your own material without exporting it is the reason to have it in the vault at all.
Explaining a passage you saved
Getting an explanation next to a clipped paragraph is a small but frequent use.
The questions Obsidian Aside prompts
What is Obsidian Aside?
A community plugin for Obsidian that puts an AI chat panel in the sidebar, so you can ask questions or draft text without leaving the vault.
Who is it for?
Obsidian users whose notes are their working environment and who do not want to copy text into a separate chat window.
What does it cost?
The listing states no price tier. The plugin is free to install, and any cost comes from the model you connect it to, which is your own API account.
What should I consider before installing?
Two things. It is a community plugin, maintained by a person rather than a company, and it sends what you give it to a model provider — the vault is local, the conversation is not.
Before you rely on it
Read the plugin’s permissions
A community plugin runs inside your vault. Check what it asks for before granting it access.
Decide what may leave the machine
Your notes are local; the prompts are not. Keep anything confidential out of the chat panel.