https://github.com/juliandeans/collector
Obsidian Quick Capture App for MacOS
https://github.com/juliandeans/collector
macos note-taking obsidian rust svelte tauri
Last synced: 15 days ago
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Obsidian Quick Capture App for MacOS
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/juliandeans/collector
- Owner: juliandeans
- License: mit
- Created: 2025-12-29T00:35:35.000Z (6 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-06-03T16:06:49.000Z (21 days ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-06-03T17:14:35.751Z (21 days ago)
- Topics: macos, note-taking, obsidian, rust, svelte, tauri
- Language: Svelte
- Homepage:
- Size: 5 MB
- Stars: 13
- Watchers: 2
- Forks: 1
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
- License: LICENSE
- Roadmap: ROADMAP.md
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README
# Collector - Obsidian Quick Capture for macOS
Collector is a macOS menu bar app for fast text and image capture into Obsidian. It lets you save notes, screenshots, and pasted content into your vault without opening the full Obsidian app first.
## Features
- Edge activation: move the cursor to a screen edge to open the capture window instantly
- Global shortcut: configurable system-wide hotkey, default `Cmd+Shift+N`
- Quick capture: append to the Daily Note, any other note or save a new note directly into your vault
- Section targeting — captures land under a specific heading in your Daily Note, top or bottom of the section
- Image capture — drop or paste screenshots into the capture window with automatic compression
- Reader Panel — tab-based reading view with your Daily Note, pinned notes, and on-demand tabs
- Wikilink navigation — follow [[links]] inside the Reader, open in new tab with Cmd+Click
- Inline search — find and step through matches in the current note with Cmd+F
- Command palette — open any vault note with Cmd+P or Cmd+K
- Content filters — hide frontmatter, Dataview blocks, inline fields, callouts, HTML, and comments
- Menu bar app: runs quietly in the background and stays one shortcut away
Capture Window
Reader Window
## Settings
- Separate window sizing for the capture window and Reader window
- Custom colors for accents, internal links, and external links
- Adjustable glass effect, transparency, blur, and brightness
- Edge activation controls including cooldown, modifier keys, and excluded apps
- Configurable note paths, templates, image folder, and compression limit
## Requirements
- macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) or newer
- Apple Silicon Mac
- Obsidian installed
## Changelog
See CHANGELOG.md for the full version history.
## Installation
### Download
**[Direct Download](https://github.com/juliandeans/Collector/releases/latest/download/Collector_aarch64.app.tar.gz)**
[View All Releases](https://github.com/juliandeans/Collector/releases)
1. Open the GitHub Releases page
2. Download the latest `.dmg` or archive for Apple Silicon
3. Open the installer and move Collector into `Applications`
## Note Window
## Reader Window
## macOS Security on First Launch
Because the app is currently not code-signed or notarized, macOS may block it the first time. That is expected for an open-source desktop app.
To open the app:
1. Recommended: right-click the app and choose `Open`
2. Alternative: go to `System Settings > Privacy & Security` and click `Open Anyway`
3. Terminal fallback:
```bash
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Collector.app
```
You only need to do this once.
## Permissions
Collector needs Accessibility access for global shortcuts.
1. Open `System Settings`
2. Go to `Privacy & Security > Accessibility`
3. Unlock the settings
4. Enable Collector
5. Restart the app
## Configuration
Open the menu bar icon and choose `Settings...`.
### Path Variables
These placeholders can be used in paths and file names:
- `YYYY` - year
- `MM` - month
- `DD` - day
- `HH` - hour
- `mm` - minute
- `ss` - second
### Capture Screenshots
Take a screenshot with `Cmd+Shift+4` and drag the floating thumbnail to the configured screen edge. Collector opens, compresses the image, and inserts it into your vault.
### Default Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
| --- | --- |
| `Cmd+Enter` | Save to Daily Note |
| `Shift+Cmd+Enter` | Save as a new note |
| `Esc` | Close without saving |
| `Cmd+F` | Search inside the Reader |
| `Cmd+P` / `Cmd+K` | Open the Reader command palette |
## Troubleshooting
### Vault not found
- Make sure the vault name exactly matches the one in Obsidian
- Make sure the vault contains an `.obsidian` folder
- Make sure Collector has read and write access
### Global shortcut does not work
- Check Accessibility permission
- Restart Collector
- Try a different shortcut if the current one is already in use
### Images are not saved
- Check the image folder path in settings
- Make sure the vault is writable
- The target folder is created automatically if it does not exist
### Daily Note is not created
- Make sure the configured path format is valid
- Check vault permissions in `System Settings > Privacy & Security`
## Development
### Requirements
- Node.js 18+
- Rust 1.70+
- Xcode Command Line Tools
### Setup
```bash
git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/Collector.git
cd Collector
npm install
```
### Development Mode
```bash
npm run tauri dev
```
### Production Build
```bash
npm run tauri build
```
The macOS app bundle is created in `src-tauri/target/release/bundle/`.
### Project Structure
```text
collector/
|-- src/ # Svelte frontend
|-- src-tauri/ # Rust backend and Tauri setup
|-- public/ # Static assets
|-- package.json
`-- vite.config.js
```
## Legal
Collector is licensed under the MIT License.
Obsidian is a trademark of Dynalist Inc. This project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Dynalist Inc.