Read Only ViewRead-only notes in Obsidian

Get started ​

In Obsidian, open Settings → Community plugins → Browse, search for Read Only View, then select Install and Enable. Requires Obsidian 1.10.3 or newer; supports desktop and mobile.

1. Open Settings → Read Only View, keep Enabled on, and select Only matched paths to protect selected notes and folders.
2. Keep Advanced → Matching → Use glob patterns off. Under Path rules, add an enabled Include for a note such as Reference/Handbook.md or a folder such as Reference/.
3. Wait for Saved., then check a note with Path tester. An enabled Exclude takes priority. Folder rules also cover Markdown notes in subfolders.

Feature availability ​

Lock → Reading / Unlock, Explain read-only status, and Show protection indicators are available in Read Only View 1.1.3 and newer. Update the plugin if these options are missing. Protection indicators are optional and off by default.

To protect notes without typing their paths, follow the Lock and Unlock guide. The screenshot below shows the File Explorer shortcut.

Find your workflow ​

• Lock and Unlock from File Explorer: manage protection from the context menu.
• How do I keep all Obsidian notes in Reading view?: use All Markdown files or an Include glob **.
• Make one note read-only: keep a reference note in Reading view.
• Make a folder read-only: protect Reference/ or Archive/ while leaving drafts editable.
• Explain why a note is read-only: inspect matching rules and folder exceptions.
• Show protected notes in File Explorer: enable optional lock indicators.
• Prevent accidental editing: separate reading from deliberate editing.
• Use Reading view on mobile: browse notes on a phone or tablet.

For the difference between normal Reading view and enforced protection, see prevent accidental editing.

See Path rules for matching syntax and Path tester for diagnostics.

Questions about path rules ​

• How do I keep daily notes editable in a read-only vault?

• How do I protect a folder without its subfolders?

• Why is my note read-only or still editable?

• Can I protect a folder but leave one note editable?

• Can I use an Obsidian URL, system path, or vault path?

• Can I temporarily disable a rule without deleting its path?

• How do I check whether a note will be read-only?

• Can I use wildcards in path rules?

• Can I make path matching case-sensitive?

What protection means ​

Read Only View returns matching Markdown notes to Reading view and blocks editor input in supported Markdown editors. It changes Obsidian view behavior; it does not change filesystem permissions, rewrite your Markdown files, or prevent other applications from editing them. See the FAQ for limitations and temporary editing.