Core Notes Academy

Is Core Notes an App or available in the Obsidian plugin store?

No, Core Notes is a paid premium plugin for the Obsidian app (which itself is 100% free). Its integrated plugin store requires developers to completely open-source their code. Because Core Notes is a proprietary, commercial premium plugin that protects its source code, it cannot be distributed in Obsidian's store. To deliver it securely, we bypass the store completely: after buying, you'll immediately receive your personal download link and simple instructions for a quick, one-time manual installation.

So you need to download and install the Obsidian app, which is available for free, for all platforms at https://obsidian.md. Their official app installation guide can be found here: Install. Please note that we are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Obsidian or Dynalist Inc.

How do I set up the plugin across multiple Obsidian vaults?

Due to Obsidian's strict, privacy-first security architecture, plugins are never installed globally across the Obsidian app. Instead, Obsidian treats each vault as a strictly isolated container. This means plugins must be stored, updated and enabled separately within each local vault.

The solution is simple: If you want to use Core Notes in multiple vaults or devices, you just manually copy & paste the complete Core Notes plugin folder into the .obsidian/plugins/ directory of each additional vault, and enable it in the settings. All you need is a single license.

The plugin is not working / I don't see the buttons. What's wrong?

There are two common reasons for this:

Can I use Core Notes offline?

Yes, absolutely. Just like Obsidian itself, Core Notes is strictly designed with a local-first approach to protect your privacy. All your data, notes, and configurations are stored securely on your own local hard drive—we never see your vaults contents. The plugin strictly needs an internet connection for only two tasks: checking if a new version is available, and downloading that update directly into your vault. That's why there are six JavaScript libraries in the plugin folder.

How does the AI support note taking, and is it available offline?

Core Notes features a dual-track AI system designed to act as your personal assistant. You can choose to run it entirely offline (using small local LLMs) or connect to the cloud (to integrate larger/faster LLMs).

The primary purpose of the AI integration is to instantly generate complex code and markup for specialized academic visual tools. Instead of memorizing and manually writing complex syntax—which is almost impossible when taking notes during live lectures—you can simply prompt the AI to build:

• Mathematical formulas (LaTeX & MathJax)
• Chemical molecules structures (Any molecule via SMILES & LaTeX mhchem)
• Interactive charts and graphs (40+ types via Plotly)
• Flowcharts and diagrams (29+ types via Mermaid)
• Advanced structuring (for Obsidian Markdown objects, like tables, codeblocks, etc.)
• Automated flashcards (on any topic)

To give you full control over your privacy and workflow, we built two separate ways to use these AI features:

Can I use this on mobile?

Technically yes, the plugin will run on mobile devices and tablets. However, we strongly recommend against it for your core workflow.

Certain features – in particular, running a free local AI – require a certain amount of RAM and CPU capacity. Furthermore, the best possible user experience requires an Obsidian split-screen setup (as shown in our animations & screenshots), which is completely lost on small screens under 10 inches.

How do I update the plugin?

Core Notes handles updates seamlessly. Whenever a new version is released, the plugin will notify you within Obsidian. Just click the update button in the Core Notes settings. Our servers will then securely deliver the update directly into your active vault.

Using Core Notes on multiple vaults or devices?
Because our plugin is closed-source, we have to handle updates outside of Obsidian's native store. So, we designed a custom update process to keep things smooth: once you update your first vault, a 30-minute window opens, allowing you to conveniently update up to 5 additional vaults or devices right away.

Pro Tip: To make the most of this feature, we recommend having your other devices powered on and ready before you trigger the first update. This keeps your multi-vault setup completely effortless! They will securely sync to the new version. If you miss this window, please see the FAQ below.

I missed the 30-minute update window for my secondary vaults. What now?

If you attempt to update a secondary vault or device after the 30-minute window has expired, the update request will simply be declined.

Because Obsidian intentionally walls off each vault for privacy, a third-party plugin cannot break out of its isolated container to automatically push updates to your other vaults. To update your secondary installations after the window has closed, choose one of these methods:

Manual & Automated Sync Methods:

I lost my plugin file (e.g., computer crash). How do I recover it?

Because of our strict zero-knowledge privacy architecture, we do not store your cleartext email address in our databases, and we automatically delete all generated plugin files from our delivery servers after 24 hours.

To request a new, freshly generated download link for your personalized plugin file, please send an email to .

Volume & Educational Licensing

The standard checkout process is optimized for single-user licenses. If you represent a team, business, or educational institution and require more than one license, please do not use the standard checkout.

Instead, contact our team directly at to request a custom invoice and volume delivery setup. Please include the number of licenses required and your organization details.

What happens after 3 years?

Your purchase is a perpetual lifetime license. You can use the version you own, on all devices you own, forever. The purchase price includes 36 months of access to our OTA (Over-The-Air) update servers for new features and compatibility patches. After 3 years, you can choose to renew your update period, or simply continue using your current version.