AutoSync

This section was written very quickly. I will update it with more detail later.

Step 1: AutoSync Bash Script

We’ll need a script that automates the entire sync process and logs the outcome for you.
I have created a script, all you need to do is save it somewhere on your computer and add your Vault locations to the script. I know the use of emojis in software development is controversial, but I like them for logs. You can remove them, they start/end with :

AutoSync Bash Script

#!/bin/bash
#######################################
# Configuration
#######################################
# Add your vault paths here
VAULT_PATHS=(
 "/Users/naderbaradar/Documents/context_core_obsidian_vault"
 "/Users/naderbaradar/Documents/nader_obsidian_vault"
)
 
# Master log file
MASTER_LOG="$HOME/obsidian-autosync-master.log"
 
#######################################
# Utility Functions
#######################################
# Log to master log file
log_master() {
 echo "$1" >> "$MASTER_LOG"
}
# Log to vault-specific log file
log_vault() {
 local vault_log="$1"
 local message="$2"
 echo "$message" >> "$vault_log"
}
# Get vault name from path
get_vault_name() {
 basename "$1"
}
# Get vault log path
get_vault_log_path() {
 local vault_name
 vault_name=$(get_vault_name "$1")
 echo "$1/${vault_name}_autosync.log"
}
# Get timestamp for master log (24-hour)
timestamp_master() {
 date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S'
}
 
# Get timestamp for vault logs (12-hour with AM/PM)
timestamp_vault() {
 date '+%Y-%m-%d %I:%M:%S %p'
}
 
#######################################
# Git Sync Function
#######################################
sync_vault() {
 local path="$1"
 local vault_name
 vault_name=$(get_vault_name "$path")
 local vault_log
 vault_log=$(get_vault_log_path "$path")
 
 log_master "=== [$vault_name] Sync started at $(timestamp_master) ==="
 log_vault "$vault_log" "=== [$vault_name] Sync started at $(timestamp_vault) ==="
 
 if [[ ! -d "$path/.git" ]]; then
   log_master ":x: [$vault_name] Not a Git repo. Skipping."
   log_vault "$vault_log" ":x: Not a Git repository. Skipping sync."
   return
 fi
 
 cd "$path" || {
   log_master ":x: [$vault_name] Path not found: $path"
   log_vault "$vault_log" ":x: Path not found: $path"
   return
 }
 
 # Pull
 git pull origin main >> "$vault_log" 2>&1
 log_master ":arrows_counterclockwise: [$vault_name] Pulled latest changes."
 
 # Stage
 git add . >> "$vault_log" 2>&1
 log_master ":inbox_tray: [$vault_name] Staged files."
 
 # Commit if there are changes
 if ! git diff --cached --quiet; then
   local now
   now=$(timestamp_master)
   git commit -m "Auto sync: $now" >> "$vault_log" 2>&1
   git push origin main >> "$vault_log" 2>&1
   log_master ":white_check_mark: [$vault_name] Synced successfully at $now"
   log_vault "$vault_log" ":white_check_mark: Synced at $(timestamp_vault)"
 else
   log_master ":warning: [$vault_name] No changes to commit."
   log_vault "$vault_log" ":warning: No changes to commit."
 fi
 
 log_master ""
}
 
#######################################
# Main Loop
#######################################
 
main() {
 log_master "========= Obsidian Autosync Run: $(timestamp_master) ========="
 for vault_path in "${VAULT_PATHS[@]}"; do
   sync_vault "$vault_path"
 done
 log_master "========= End Run: $(timestamp_master) ========="
 log_master ""
}
 
main

Specifically you need to tell it where your vaults are by giving it the file-path to your vault(s). Add it under the variable VAULT_PATHS

Step 2: CronJob for Script Automation

Then add that script to your crontab (MacOS)
This is very easy. Just open a terminal, issue this command:

crontab -e

Then you’ll see a text editor (vi) in your terminal:

Copy this to your clipboard

0 0,6,12,18 * * * /bin/bash /Users/naderbaradar/obsidian_autosync.sh

Then go back to the terminal and press i on your keyboard to enter “Insert” mode and paste the line:

Finally, press : (colon) to enter “Command” mode and then type in wq

This will write to the file and quit the text editor (vi). You have now scheduled your script to run automatically everyday at these times:

• 12:00 AM
• 06:00 AM
• 12:00 PM
• 06:00 PM

If you want to change the times/frequency you can play with the Crontab line.

Finally, you can validate that crontab registered your cronjob automation by issuing the crontab -l command, and you should see your cron job listed.

naderbaradar@Naders-MacBook-Air development_workspace % crontab -l

0 0,6,12,18 * * * /bin/bash /Users/naderbaradar/obsidian_autosync.sh

IMPORTANT

For crontab to work you may need to give it full disk access (depending on where your obsidian vault is stored. Mine is stored in my iCloud directory)

Steps:

1. Open System Settings
2. Go to Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access
3. Click the + button
4. Press Cmd + Shift + G and enter:
   /usr/sbin/cron