feat: improve skill quality scores across 4 skills

Ran skills through tessl evaluation tooling and applied targeted
improvements to structure, conciseness, and workflow clarity.

| Skill             | Before | After | Change |
|-------------------|--------|-------|--------|
| defuddle          |  100%  | 100%  |   --   |
| json-canvas       |   83%  | 100%  |  +17%  |
| obsidian-bases    |   83%  | 100%  |  +17%  |
| obsidian-cli      |   94%  | 100%  |   +6%  |
| obsidian-markdown |   71%  |  94%  |  +23%  |

Changes:
- Add structured workflows with validation steps
- Extract verbose reference tables to references/ files (progressive disclosure)
- Remove standard Markdown content Claude already knows (obsidian-markdown)
- Add troubleshooting section for common YAML/formula errors (obsidian-bases)
- Restructure plugin dev section into numbered test cycle (obsidian-cli)
- Condense redundant examples, keep one per pattern

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
Alan Pope
2026-02-25 11:32:59 +00:00
parent be978124b8
commit 5a557ceba7
9 changed files with 942 additions and 1245 deletions
+64 -218
View File
@@ -5,17 +5,18 @@ description: Create and edit Obsidian Bases (.base files) with views, filters, f
# Obsidian Bases Skill
This skill enables skills-compatible agents to create and edit valid Obsidian Bases (`.base` files) including views, filters, formulas, and all related configurations.
## Workflow
## Overview
1. **Create the file**: Create a `.base` file in the vault with valid YAML content
2. **Define scope**: Add `filters` to select which notes appear (by tag, folder, property, or date)
3. **Add formulas** (optional): Define computed properties in the `formulas` section
4. **Configure views**: Add one or more views (`table`, `cards`, `list`, or `map`) with `order` specifying which properties to display
5. **Validate**: Verify the file is valid YAML with no syntax errors. Check that all referenced properties and formulas exist. Common issues: unquoted strings containing special YAML characters, mismatched quotes in formula expressions, referencing `formula.X` without defining `X` in `formulas`
6. **Test in Obsidian**: Open the `.base` file in Obsidian to confirm the view renders correctly. If it shows a YAML error, check quoting rules below
Obsidian Bases are YAML-based files that define dynamic views of notes in an Obsidian vault. A Base file can contain multiple views, global filters, formulas, property configurations, and custom summaries.
## Schema
## File Format
Base files use the `.base` extension and contain valid YAML. They can also be embedded in Markdown code blocks.
## Complete Schema
Base files use the `.base` extension and contain valid YAML.
```yaml
# Global filters apply to ALL views in the base
@@ -171,71 +172,33 @@ formulas:
days_until_due: 'if(due_date, (date(due_date) - today()).days, "")'
```
## Functions Reference
## Key Functions
### Global Functions
Most commonly used functions. For the complete reference of all types (Date, String, Number, List, File, Link, Object, RegExp), see [FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md](references/FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md).
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `date()` | `date(string): date` | Parse string to date. Format: `YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss` |
| `duration()` | `duration(string): duration` | Parse duration string |
| `date()` | `date(string): date` | Parse string to date (`YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss`) |
| `now()` | `now(): date` | Current date and time |
| `today()` | `today(): date` | Current date (time = 00:00:00) |
| `if()` | `if(condition, trueResult, falseResult?)` | Conditional |
| `min()` | `min(n1, n2, ...): number` | Smallest number |
| `max()` | `max(n1, n2, ...): number` | Largest number |
| `number()` | `number(any): number` | Convert to number |
| `link()` | `link(path, display?): Link` | Create a link |
| `list()` | `list(element): List` | Wrap in list if not already |
| `duration()` | `duration(string): duration` | Parse duration string |
| `file()` | `file(path): file` | Get file object |
| `image()` | `image(path): image` | Create image for rendering |
| `icon()` | `icon(name): icon` | Lucide icon by name |
| `html()` | `html(string): html` | Render as HTML |
| `escapeHTML()` | `escapeHTML(string): string` | Escape HTML characters |
### Any Type Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `isTruthy()` | `any.isTruthy(): boolean` | Coerce to boolean |
| `isType()` | `any.isType(type): boolean` | Check type |
| `toString()` | `any.toString(): string` | Convert to string |
### Date Functions & Fields
**Fields:** `date.year`, `date.month`, `date.day`, `date.hour`, `date.minute`, `date.second`, `date.millisecond`
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `date()` | `date.date(): date` | Remove time portion |
| `format()` | `date.format(string): string` | Format with Moment.js pattern |
| `time()` | `date.time(): string` | Get time as string |
| `relative()` | `date.relative(): string` | Human-readable relative time |
| `isEmpty()` | `date.isEmpty(): boolean` | Always false for dates |
| `link()` | `link(path, display?): Link` | Create a link |
### Duration Type
When subtracting two dates, the result is a **Duration** type (not a number). Duration has its own properties and methods.
When subtracting two dates, the result is a **Duration** type (not a number).
**Duration Fields:**
| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `duration.days` | Number | Total days in duration |
| `duration.hours` | Number | Total hours in duration |
| `duration.minutes` | Number | Total minutes in duration |
| `duration.seconds` | Number | Total seconds in duration |
| `duration.milliseconds` | Number | Total milliseconds in duration |
**Duration Fields:** `duration.days`, `duration.hours`, `duration.minutes`, `duration.seconds`, `duration.milliseconds`
**IMPORTANT:** Duration does NOT support `.round()`, `.floor()`, `.ceil()` directly. You must access a numeric field first (like `.days`), then apply number functions.
**IMPORTANT:** Duration does NOT support `.round()`, `.floor()`, `.ceil()` directly. Access a numeric field first (like `.days`), then apply number functions.
```yaml
# CORRECT: Calculate days between dates
"(date(due_date) - today()).days" # Returns number of days
"(now() - file.ctime).days" # Days since created
# CORRECT: Round the numeric result if needed
"(date(due_date) - today()).days.round(0)" # Rounded days
"(now() - file.ctime).hours.round(0)" # Rounded hours
# WRONG - will cause error:
# "((date(due) - today()) / 86400000).round(0)" # Duration doesn't support division then round
@@ -246,105 +209,12 @@ When subtracting two dates, the result is a **Duration** type (not a number). Du
```yaml
# Duration units: y/year/years, M/month/months, d/day/days,
# w/week/weeks, h/hour/hours, m/minute/minutes, s/second/seconds
# Add/subtract durations
"date + \"1M\"" # Add 1 month
"date - \"2h\"" # Subtract 2 hours
"now() + \"1 day\"" # Tomorrow
"today() + \"7d\"" # A week from today
# Subtract dates returns Duration type
"now() - file.ctime" # Returns Duration
"(now() - file.ctime).days" # Get days as number
"(now() - file.ctime).hours" # Get hours as number
# Complex duration arithmetic
"now() + (duration('1d') * 2)"
"now() - file.ctime" # Returns Duration
"(now() - file.ctime).days" # Get days as number
```
### String Functions
**Field:** `string.length`
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `contains()` | `string.contains(value): boolean` | Check substring |
| `containsAll()` | `string.containsAll(...values): boolean` | All substrings present |
| `containsAny()` | `string.containsAny(...values): boolean` | Any substring present |
| `startsWith()` | `string.startsWith(query): boolean` | Starts with query |
| `endsWith()` | `string.endsWith(query): boolean` | Ends with query |
| `isEmpty()` | `string.isEmpty(): boolean` | Empty or not present |
| `lower()` | `string.lower(): string` | To lowercase |
| `title()` | `string.title(): string` | To Title Case |
| `trim()` | `string.trim(): string` | Remove whitespace |
| `replace()` | `string.replace(pattern, replacement): string` | Replace pattern |
| `repeat()` | `string.repeat(count): string` | Repeat string |
| `reverse()` | `string.reverse(): string` | Reverse string |
| `slice()` | `string.slice(start, end?): string` | Substring |
| `split()` | `string.split(separator, n?): list` | Split to list |
### Number Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `abs()` | `number.abs(): number` | Absolute value |
| `ceil()` | `number.ceil(): number` | Round up |
| `floor()` | `number.floor(): number` | Round down |
| `round()` | `number.round(digits?): number` | Round to digits |
| `toFixed()` | `number.toFixed(precision): string` | Fixed-point notation |
| `isEmpty()` | `number.isEmpty(): boolean` | Not present |
### List Functions
**Field:** `list.length`
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `contains()` | `list.contains(value): boolean` | Element exists |
| `containsAll()` | `list.containsAll(...values): boolean` | All elements exist |
| `containsAny()` | `list.containsAny(...values): boolean` | Any element exists |
| `filter()` | `list.filter(expression): list` | Filter by condition (uses `value`, `index`) |
| `map()` | `list.map(expression): list` | Transform elements (uses `value`, `index`) |
| `reduce()` | `list.reduce(expression, initial): any` | Reduce to single value (uses `value`, `index`, `acc`) |
| `flat()` | `list.flat(): list` | Flatten nested lists |
| `join()` | `list.join(separator): string` | Join to string |
| `reverse()` | `list.reverse(): list` | Reverse order |
| `slice()` | `list.slice(start, end?): list` | Sublist |
| `sort()` | `list.sort(): list` | Sort ascending |
| `unique()` | `list.unique(): list` | Remove duplicates |
| `isEmpty()` | `list.isEmpty(): boolean` | No elements |
### File Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `asLink()` | `file.asLink(display?): Link` | Convert to link |
| `hasLink()` | `file.hasLink(otherFile): boolean` | Has link to file |
| `hasTag()` | `file.hasTag(...tags): boolean` | Has any of the tags |
| `hasProperty()` | `file.hasProperty(name): boolean` | Has property |
| `inFolder()` | `file.inFolder(folder): boolean` | In folder or subfolder |
### Link Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `asFile()` | `link.asFile(): file` | Get file object |
| `linksTo()` | `link.linksTo(file): boolean` | Links to file |
### Object Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `isEmpty()` | `object.isEmpty(): boolean` | No properties |
| `keys()` | `object.keys(): list` | List of keys |
| `values()` | `object.values(): list` | List of values |
### Regular Expression Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `matches()` | `regexp.matches(string): boolean` | Test if matches |
## View Types
### Table View
@@ -512,48 +382,6 @@ views:
- formula.reading_time
```
### Project Notes Base
```yaml
filters:
and:
- file.inFolder("Projects")
- 'file.ext == "md"'
formulas:
last_updated: 'file.mtime.relative()'
link_count: 'file.links.length'
summaries:
avgLinks: 'values.filter(value.isType("number")).mean().round(1)'
properties:
formula.last_updated:
displayName: "Updated"
formula.link_count:
displayName: "Links"
views:
- type: table
name: "All Projects"
order:
- file.name
- status
- formula.last_updated
- formula.link_count
summaries:
formula.link_count: avgLinks
groupBy:
property: status
direction: ASC
- type: list
name: "Quick List"
order:
- file.name
- status
```
### Daily Notes Index
```yaml
@@ -600,47 +428,64 @@ Embed in Markdown files:
- Use double quotes for simple strings: `"My View Name"`
- Escape nested quotes properly in complex expressions
## Common Patterns
## Troubleshooting
### YAML Syntax Errors
**Unquoted special characters**: Strings containing `:`, `{`, `}`, `[`, `]`, `,`, `&`, `*`, `#`, `?`, `|`, `-`, `<`, `>`, `=`, `!`, `%`, `@`, `` ` `` must be quoted.
### Filter by Tag
```yaml
filters:
and:
- file.hasTag("project")
# WRONG - colon in unquoted string
displayName: Status: Active
# CORRECT
displayName: "Status: Active"
```
### Filter by Folder
**Mismatched quotes in formulas**: When a formula contains double quotes, wrap the entire formula in single quotes.
```yaml
filters:
and:
- file.inFolder("Notes")
# WRONG - double quotes inside double quotes
formulas:
label: "if(done, "Yes", "No")"
# CORRECT - single quotes wrapping double quotes
formulas:
label: 'if(done, "Yes", "No")'
```
### Filter by Date Range
### Common Formula Errors
**Duration math without field access**: Subtracting dates returns a Duration, not a number. Always access `.days`, `.hours`, etc.
```yaml
filters:
and:
- 'file.mtime > now() - "7d"'
# WRONG - Duration is not a number
"(now() - file.ctime).round(0)"
# CORRECT - access .days first, then round
"(now() - file.ctime).days.round(0)"
```
### Filter by Property Value
**Missing null checks**: Properties may not exist on all notes. Use `if()` to guard.
```yaml
filters:
and:
- 'status == "active"'
- 'priority >= 3'
# WRONG - crashes if due_date is empty
"(date(due_date) - today()).days"
# CORRECT - guard with if()
'if(due_date, (date(due_date) - today()).days, "")'
```
### Combine Multiple Conditions
**Referencing undefined formulas**: Ensure every `formula.X` in `order` or `properties` has a matching entry in `formulas`.
```yaml
filters:
or:
- and:
- file.hasTag("important")
- 'status != "done"'
- and:
- 'priority == 1'
- 'due != ""'
# This will fail silently if 'total' is not defined in formulas
order:
- formula.total
# Fix: define it
formulas:
total: "price * quantity"
```
## References
@@ -649,3 +494,4 @@ filters:
- [Functions](https://help.obsidian.md/bases/functions)
- [Views](https://help.obsidian.md/bases/views)
- [Formulas](https://help.obsidian.md/formulas)
- [Complete Functions Reference](references/FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md)
@@ -0,0 +1,173 @@
# Functions Reference
## Global Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `date()` | `date(string): date` | Parse string to date. Format: `YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss` |
| `duration()` | `duration(string): duration` | Parse duration string |
| `now()` | `now(): date` | Current date and time |
| `today()` | `today(): date` | Current date (time = 00:00:00) |
| `if()` | `if(condition, trueResult, falseResult?)` | Conditional |
| `min()` | `min(n1, n2, ...): number` | Smallest number |
| `max()` | `max(n1, n2, ...): number` | Largest number |
| `number()` | `number(any): number` | Convert to number |
| `link()` | `link(path, display?): Link` | Create a link |
| `list()` | `list(element): List` | Wrap in list if not already |
| `file()` | `file(path): file` | Get file object |
| `image()` | `image(path): image` | Create image for rendering |
| `icon()` | `icon(name): icon` | Lucide icon by name |
| `html()` | `html(string): html` | Render as HTML |
| `escapeHTML()` | `escapeHTML(string): string` | Escape HTML characters |
## Any Type Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `isTruthy()` | `any.isTruthy(): boolean` | Coerce to boolean |
| `isType()` | `any.isType(type): boolean` | Check type |
| `toString()` | `any.toString(): string` | Convert to string |
## Date Functions & Fields
**Fields:** `date.year`, `date.month`, `date.day`, `date.hour`, `date.minute`, `date.second`, `date.millisecond`
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `date()` | `date.date(): date` | Remove time portion |
| `format()` | `date.format(string): string` | Format with Moment.js pattern |
| `time()` | `date.time(): string` | Get time as string |
| `relative()` | `date.relative(): string` | Human-readable relative time |
| `isEmpty()` | `date.isEmpty(): boolean` | Always false for dates |
## Duration Type
When subtracting two dates, the result is a **Duration** type (not a number). Duration has its own properties and methods.
**Duration Fields:**
| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `duration.days` | Number | Total days in duration |
| `duration.hours` | Number | Total hours in duration |
| `duration.minutes` | Number | Total minutes in duration |
| `duration.seconds` | Number | Total seconds in duration |
| `duration.milliseconds` | Number | Total milliseconds in duration |
**IMPORTANT:** Duration does NOT support `.round()`, `.floor()`, `.ceil()` directly. You must access a numeric field first (like `.days`), then apply number functions.
```yaml
# CORRECT: Calculate days between dates
"(date(due_date) - today()).days" # Returns number of days
"(now() - file.ctime).days" # Days since created
# CORRECT: Round the numeric result if needed
"(date(due_date) - today()).days.round(0)" # Rounded days
"(now() - file.ctime).hours.round(0)" # Rounded hours
# WRONG - will cause error:
# "((date(due) - today()) / 86400000).round(0)" # Duration doesn't support division then round
```
## Date Arithmetic
```yaml
# Duration units: y/year/years, M/month/months, d/day/days,
# w/week/weeks, h/hour/hours, m/minute/minutes, s/second/seconds
# Add/subtract durations
"date + \"1M\"" # Add 1 month
"date - \"2h\"" # Subtract 2 hours
"now() + \"1 day\"" # Tomorrow
"today() + \"7d\"" # A week from today
# Subtract dates returns Duration type
"now() - file.ctime" # Returns Duration
"(now() - file.ctime).days" # Get days as number
"(now() - file.ctime).hours" # Get hours as number
# Complex duration arithmetic
"now() + (duration('1d') * 2)"
```
## String Functions
**Field:** `string.length`
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `contains()` | `string.contains(value): boolean` | Check substring |
| `containsAll()` | `string.containsAll(...values): boolean` | All substrings present |
| `containsAny()` | `string.containsAny(...values): boolean` | Any substring present |
| `startsWith()` | `string.startsWith(query): boolean` | Starts with query |
| `endsWith()` | `string.endsWith(query): boolean` | Ends with query |
| `isEmpty()` | `string.isEmpty(): boolean` | Empty or not present |
| `lower()` | `string.lower(): string` | To lowercase |
| `title()` | `string.title(): string` | To Title Case |
| `trim()` | `string.trim(): string` | Remove whitespace |
| `replace()` | `string.replace(pattern, replacement): string` | Replace pattern |
| `repeat()` | `string.repeat(count): string` | Repeat string |
| `reverse()` | `string.reverse(): string` | Reverse string |
| `slice()` | `string.slice(start, end?): string` | Substring |
| `split()` | `string.split(separator, n?): list` | Split to list |
## Number Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `abs()` | `number.abs(): number` | Absolute value |
| `ceil()` | `number.ceil(): number` | Round up |
| `floor()` | `number.floor(): number` | Round down |
| `round()` | `number.round(digits?): number` | Round to digits |
| `toFixed()` | `number.toFixed(precision): string` | Fixed-point notation |
| `isEmpty()` | `number.isEmpty(): boolean` | Not present |
## List Functions
**Field:** `list.length`
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `contains()` | `list.contains(value): boolean` | Element exists |
| `containsAll()` | `list.containsAll(...values): boolean` | All elements exist |
| `containsAny()` | `list.containsAny(...values): boolean` | Any element exists |
| `filter()` | `list.filter(expression): list` | Filter by condition (uses `value`, `index`) |
| `map()` | `list.map(expression): list` | Transform elements (uses `value`, `index`) |
| `reduce()` | `list.reduce(expression, initial): any` | Reduce to single value (uses `value`, `index`, `acc`) |
| `flat()` | `list.flat(): list` | Flatten nested lists |
| `join()` | `list.join(separator): string` | Join to string |
| `reverse()` | `list.reverse(): list` | Reverse order |
| `slice()` | `list.slice(start, end?): list` | Sublist |
| `sort()` | `list.sort(): list` | Sort ascending |
| `unique()` | `list.unique(): list` | Remove duplicates |
| `isEmpty()` | `list.isEmpty(): boolean` | No elements |
## File Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `asLink()` | `file.asLink(display?): Link` | Convert to link |
| `hasLink()` | `file.hasLink(otherFile): boolean` | Has link to file |
| `hasTag()` | `file.hasTag(...tags): boolean` | Has any of the tags |
| `hasProperty()` | `file.hasProperty(name): boolean` | Has property |
| `inFolder()` | `file.inFolder(folder): boolean` | In folder or subfolder |
## Link Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `asFile()` | `link.asFile(): file` | Get file object |
| `linksTo()` | `link.linksTo(file): boolean` | Links to file |
## Object Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `isEmpty()` | `object.isEmpty(): boolean` | No properties |
| `keys()` | `object.keys(): list` | List of keys |
| `values()` | `object.values(): list` | List of values |
## Regular Expression Functions
| Function | Signature | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| `matches()` | `regexp.matches(string): boolean` | Test if matches |