Obsidian Brain OS - Claude Build Prompt

Instructions for Claude

Your task: Build a complete knowledge management system in the user's Obsidian vault using the framework below. Create all folders, starter files, MOCs (Maps of Content), and wire up cross-links so the graph view shows connected clusters.

Want the full prompt file? Download the complete .md file to paste directly into Claude:

Download obsidian-brain-os.md

Before you start, ask the user:

What is the path to your Obsidian vault?
What are 2-3 main areas of your life/work?
Do you have existing notes to organize, or is this a fresh vault?

Then walk them through the Folder Customization questions in Part 1 before building anything.

The Framework

Part 1: The 00-09 Numbered Folder System

The full system uses 10 numbered folders (00-09). Some are essential, others are optional depending on your workflow.

Why numbers? Obsidian sorts alphabetically. Numbers force consistent ordering. Inbox is 00 so it's always first.

The Full System:

VAULT_ROOT/
├── 00_inbox/           # Zero friction capture
├── 01_thinking/        # Your notes, synthesis, MOCs
│   └── mocs/           # Maps of Content live here
├── 02_reference/       # External knowledge
├── 03_creating/        # Content/projects in progress
├── 04_published/       # Finished work archive
├── 05_archive/         # Inactive/old content
├── 06_system/          # Templates, tools, config
│   └── templates/
├── 07_projects/        # Active project workspaces
├── 08_journal/         # Daily notes, reflections
└── 09_personal/        # Private (family, health, faith)

Core Folders (Always Include):

Folder	Purpose	Why it's essential
`00_inbox/`	Zero friction capture	ONE place to capture fast. No thinking, just dump.
`01_thinking/`	Your notes, synthesis, MOCs	Where YOUR ideas live. MOCs act as hub pages.
`06_system/`	Templates, tools, config	Keeps your system running consistently.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ 00 │ 01 │ 02 │ 03 │ 04 │ 05 │ │ │inbox │think │ ref │creat │ pub │archive │ │ │ ↓ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ MOCs │ │ │ │ │ ├──────┴──────┴──────┴──────┴──────┴──────────┤ │ 06 │ 07 │ 08 │ 09 │ │ │system│projct│journl│persn │ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Part 2: MOCs (Maps of Content)

What they are: Hub notes that link to everything related to one topic.

Create one MOC per major life/work area in 01_thinking/mocs/

MOC Template:

---
aliases: [TOPIC MOC, TOPIC Hub]
tags: [moc, TOPIC_TAG]
---

# TOPIC Map of Content

> Hub note for everything related to TOPIC.

## Active Projects
- [[Project 1]]

## Key Notes
- [[Important Note 1]]

## Reference
- [[Book or Article 1]]

## Ideas / Inbox
- [[Idea to explore]]

┌─────────────┐ │ MOC Hub │ └──────┬──────┘ ┌───────────────┼───────────────┐ │ │ │ ▼ ▼ ▼ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ │Project │ │ Note │ │Reference│ └───┬────┘ └───┬────┘ └────────┘ │ │ ▼ ▼ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ │Sub-note│◄────►│Sub-note│ └────────┘ └────────┘

Part 3: Tag Taxonomy

Category	Tags
Type	`#moc` `#template` `#reference` `#project`
Status	`#active` `#someday` `#archive`
Utility	`#idea` `#tool` `#daily`

Part 4: Cross-Linking

Every note should link to:

Its parent MOC
1-3 related notes

Related: [[Parent MOC]] | [[Related Note 1]] | [[Related Note 2]]

Part 5: Graph View Goal

BEFORE (scattered): AFTER (connected): • • • •──•──• • • • │╲ │ ╱│ • • • •──MOC──• │╱ │ ╲│ (isolated dots) •──•──• (web around hubs)

Optional Power-Ups

Daily Journal & Reflection System - Structured daily notes
Daily Tracking Sheet - Habit and metric tracking
Session Log - Work session records
Kanban Task Board - Visual task management

Success Criteria

Organized folders customized to their life
3-5 MOC hub notes with 5+ links each
Graph view showing connected clusters
Templates ready for daily use