https://github.com/ryanbbrown/obsidian-drift
Diff viewer for changes to markdown files in Obsidian made by external sources (primarily coding agents)
https://github.com/ryanbbrown/obsidian-drift
Last synced: 24 days ago
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Diff viewer for changes to markdown files in Obsidian made by external sources (primarily coding agents)
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/ryanbbrown/obsidian-drift
- Owner: ryanbbrown
- License: 0bsd
- Created: 2026-02-15T19:38:19.000Z (4 months ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-12T15:52:36.000Z (2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-04-12T17:31:17.488Z (2 months ago)
- Language: TypeScript
- Size: 3.9 MB
- Stars: 2
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 1
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
- Agents: AGENTS.md
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README
# Drift
A VS Code-style side-by-side diff viewer that lives inside Obsidian. Automatically detects external file changes (including AI coding agents) and shows you a before/after view with per-chunk accept/reject, accept all/reject all, and collapsible unchanged regions.
## Features
- **Instant detection** — No polling or delays. Uses CodeMirror 6 transaction monitoring to detect external changes the moment they happen.
- **Per-chunk accept/reject** — Cherry-pick individual changes, not just all-or-nothing. Revert buttons on each diff chunk let you keep what you want and undo what you don't.
- **Accept all / Reject all** — Bulk actions when you have multiple files with pending diffs.
- **Persistence** — Pending diffs survive Obsidian restarts. Stale diffs (file deleted or reverted) are automatically discarded on reload.
- **Edit protection** — Editing a file with pending diffs shows a warning modal, preventing accidental data loss.
- **Tool-agnostic** — Works with any tool that modifies vault files: AI coding agents, sync services, scripts, other plugins.
## Installation
Install Drift from the [Obsidian community plugin directory](https://community.obsidian.md/plugins/drift).
### Manual install
1. Download `main.js`, `manifest.json`, and `styles.css` from the [latest release](https://github.com/ryanbbrown/obsidian-drift/releases)
2. Create a folder `VaultFolder/.obsidian/plugins/drift/`
3. Copy the downloaded files into that folder
4. Restart Obsidian and enable the plugin in **Settings → Community plugins**
## Usage
Once enabled, the plugin runs automatically. When an external tool modifies a markdown file in your vault:
1. A **Drift** tab opens in the background showing the side-by-side diff
2. Use **Accept All** to keep the new content, or **Reject All** to revert to the original
3. Use the **revert button** on individual chunks to selectively undo specific changes
4. Use the **Open diff viewer** command to reopen the tab if you close it
## Commands
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Open diff viewer** | Open or focus the diff viewer tab |
| **Toggle external change detection** | Enable/disable external change detection |