Alternative Explorer

Alternative Explorer is an Apple Notes–style sidebar for browsing folders and notes in Obsidian. Switch between an expandable folder tree and a notes list — a compact alternative to the built-in File Explorer.

Folders

• Browse the folder tree, open All notes for a vault-wide list, and use Reveal current note to jump to the active note's folder.
• Expand or fold the whole tree, including its sections, in one action.
• Group root folders into named, collapsible sections that exist only in this sidebar.
• Drag sections, root folders, and smart folders to change their sidebar order. Drop a folder onto another folder, or back to the vault root, to nest or un-nest it in the vault.
• Sort folders by name, modified time, created time, or a custom order. Set the default in Settings → Alternative Explorer, and override it for an individual folder from the explorer.

Notes

• Open a folder to see its notes, with immediate subfolders listed above. Toggle between this folder only and every note below it.
• Sort notes by name, modified time, or created time. Override the default for a folder, a smart folder, or All notes.
• Group notes by modified or created date, with an optional group for pinned notes.
• Move through the notes list with Up and Down, and press Enter to open the selection.
• Create a New note or New folder from the sidebar: at the vault root from the folder tree, or inside the folder you are viewing.

Smart folders

• Create saved searches from rules for tags, properties, name, path, created or modified dates, and pinned status.
• Match all or any of the rules, and nest a smart folder under a real folder or a section.

Install and open

1. In Obsidian, open Settings → Community plugins.
2. Search for Alternative Explorer, select Install, and then select Enable.
3. Select the Alternative Explorer ribbon icon or run Alternative Explorer: Open explorer view from the command palette.

Good to know

• Sections, smart folders, sidebar order, and sort overrides are stored in plugin settings. They do not create vault folders.
• Dropping a folder onto another folder, or a nested folder back to the vault root or a section, moves that folder in the vault.
• Pin notes through Obsidian's core Bookmarks plugin. If Bookmarks is disabled, pinned groups are empty and pinning is unavailable.
• Vault files that Obsidian cannot open appear in the notes list. A second click or Enter opens them in the system default application when available.
• Alternative Explorer does not search note contents, and it does not rename or delete existing notes.
• Alternative Explorer has been tested only on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Other platforms may work but have not been verified.
• The minimum supported Obsidian version is 1.7.2.

Acknowledgements

Alternative Explorer was inspired by Apple Notes and Notebook Navigator (GitHub).

License

Alternative Explorer is released under the MIT License.