Journalit Installation Guide for Obsidian

This installation guide shows how to install the Journalit Obsidian plugin with BRAT or with the manual file method. If you are new to Obsidian, follow it from top to bottom without skipping steps.

Recommended path

Install Journalit through BRAT unless you have a specific reason to manage plugin files manually.

What you need first

Obsidian installed

Download and open Obsidian before starting the plugin setup.

Community plugins enabled

Journalit is installed as a community plugin, so that switch must be turned on first.

Internet connection

You only need this for the initial installation and any later updates.

Install via BRAT (recommended)

BRAT handles community plugins that are distributed outside the official Obsidian store. It is the fastest and least error-prone path.

Install BRAT

Open Settings in Obsidian.
Go to Community Plugins and select Browse.
Search for BRAT by TfTHacker.
Install it, then enable it.

Add Journalit

Open Settings and go to BRAT.
Click Add Beta Plugin.
Paste Cursivez/journalit.
Choose Latest version.
Click Add Plugin.

Enable the plugin

Go back to Settings and open Community Plugins.
Find Journalit.
Toggle it on.
Confirm the Journalit icons appear in the left ribbon.

Expected outcome

This path usually takes about two minutes from start to finish.

Updating Journalit

When Journalit is installed through BRAT, updates are handled from inside Obsidian.

Automatic updates

BRAT usually checks for updates when Obsidian starts and installs the latest Journalit release automatically.

Manual refresh

If the latest version does not appear, open BRAT in Obsidian and use its refresh or check-for-updates action to fetch the current release.

Restart if needed

After updating, restart Obsidian if the Journalit interface does not reflect the latest version immediately.

Manual installs need manual updates

If you installed Journalit by copying release files into your vault, download the latest main.js and manifest.json files and replace the old files in .obsidian/plugins/journalit.

Method 2: Manual Installation

Use this only if you prefer managing plugin files directly.

Step 1: Download Release Files

Download the latest release files from the Journalit repository:

main.js
manifest.json

Step 2: Install Files

Create the plugin folder inside your vault and place the downloaded files there.

main.js

manifest.json

Step 3: Enable Plugin

Restart Obsidian

Close and reopen Obsidian so the plugin files are picked up.

Turn Journalit on

Open Settings → Community Plugins, then enable Journalit.

Post-Installation Setup

Recommended Obsidian Settings

Editor → Display

Set Properties in document to Hidden so metadata does not clutter your notes.

Files & Links

Enable Automatically update internal links so Journalit note links stay valid after renames.

Initial Configuration

Confirm the ribbon icons appear

After the plugin is enabled, Journalit should add its icons to the ribbon.

Run onboarding

The onboarding wizard should open automatically. Follow it to create your first trading account.

Check the guided workspace

After setup, Journalit can open a navigation sidebar for fast access to core views, and major views include contextual guides you can replay later with Replay guide for current view.

Make sure it worked

Ribbon icons visible

You can see Journalit in the left sidebar ribbon.

Settings available

Settings → Journalit opens the plugin configuration.

Onboarding launches

The setup wizard opens and guides you through the first account.

Guides are available

Home, Dashboard, Trade Log, accounts, and Layout Builder can walk you through the interface inside the app.

Troubleshooting Installation

Installation Complete

You are ready to start journalling trades.

Continue with the Quick Start guide.

Installing Journalit