Nova – AI Writing for Obsidian

AI editor for Obsidian that sharpens your writing in place. Select text, refine it, challenge your own thinking — without leaving your document. Not a generator. An editor.

Privacy-first: Use local AI (Ollama, LM Studio) or your own API keys (Claude, OpenAI, Gemini). Nova never sees your content.

Free core features: All writing functionality works with your own keys. Paid supporters get early access to experimental features (1-2 months) before they become free.

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How It Works

Selection-Based Editing

Select text → Right-click → Choose transformation → Watch it change in place. The AI edits exactly what you selected, nothing else.

Challenge Your Thinking

Select any argument or claim → Right-click → "Challenge This." Nova identifies logical gaps, unsupported claims, and counter-arguments. It doesn't rewrite — it asks the hard questions so you can write better.

Smart fill — AI placeholders for structured documents

Use <!-- nova: instruction --> comments as AI placeholders. Place them throughout your document, then generate all sections at once.

Example:

## Executive Summary
<!-- nova: Write compelling 2-sentence summary -->

## Problem Statement
<!-- nova: Describe the problem in 150 words -->

How it works:

1. Place <!-- nova: instruction --> placeholders in your document
2. Generate content using any method:
   • Type /fill in your document (generates all placeholders)
   • Open command palette (Cmd/Ctrl+P) → "Smart fill" (generates all)
   • Right-click in editor → "Nova: Smart fill" (generates all)
   • Click margin indicators (📝) to fill individual placeholders
3. Nova streams content that matches your document's context and style

Features:

• Processes placeholders sequentially (top to bottom) with real-time streaming
• Uses full document context for coherent content
• Margin indicators (📝) show placeholder locations and enable click-to-fill
• Writing insights detect passive voice and weak words

Works with Templater

Smart fill pairs naturally with the Templater plugin. Use Templater for dynamic values (dates, file names, metadata) and Nova placeholders for AI-generated content. Insert a template, then generate all sections with /fill or command palette.

Chat with Cursor Awareness

Ask for content at your cursor position. "Add a methodology section here" writes exactly where your cursor is, not in a separate chat window.

Auto-Context: Your Knowledge Graph, Built In

Nova automatically understands your knowledge graph. When you open a note, Nova resolves its outgoing wikilinks and optionally its backlinks, pulling linked notes into the AI's context window — no manual references in chat required.

• Section links like [[Note#Heading]] include only that section, keeping token usage tight.
• Large documents are intelligently truncated to their most relevant sections.
• Backlinks can be enabled for bidirectional awareness.
• The Context Quick Panel at the top of the sidebar shows everything: document list, token counts, budget bar, and toggle controls.

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Privacy That Matches Your Principles

Local AI First: Use Ollama or LM Studio – your documents never leave your computer. Perfect for sensitive research, confidential writing, or simply preferring complete privacy.

Your Keys, Your Control: Cloud AI uses YOUR keys – Claude, OpenAI, Gemini. Nova never sees your content, never stores your conversations.

Zero Analytics: No tracking, no usage analytics, no "telemetry." What you write stays between you and your chosen AI provider.

Privacy-first writing for people who chose Obsidian for the same reason.

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Core Features Free Forever. No Tracking. No Catch.

Everything works with your own keys — Nova doesn't hold your writing hostage.

Every core writing feature works with your own API keys:

• Selection-based transformations with real-time streaming
• Chat commands with cursor targeting
• Multi-document context and references
• All AI providers (local and cloud)
• Cross-platform writing (desktop and mobile)
• Complete privacy control

Support development if Nova improves your writing:

• Early access to new features (1-2 months before general release)
• Priority support and feature requests
• Community of serious writers
• Sustainable development

Philosophy: Thoughtful tools for the modern writer. All features graduate to free tier after Supernova early access period. Support only if it changes how you write.

Payment & Early Access

Nova is free to use with all core features included. Some advanced features require payment for early access during the Supernova supporter period (1-2 months) before graduating to the free tier.

Plugin includes promotional messages for Supernova support within the settings interface, clearly separated in a dedicated "Supernova" tab.

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Get Started

Install Nova in 2 minutes:

1. Obsidian → Community Plugins → Search "Nova" → Install
2. Add your API key (or setup local AI)
3. Select any text → Right-click → Try it

Want to see it in action? Search "Nova" in Community Plugins and try "Improve Writing" on any note.

Need help? Read the full Nova User Guide

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Roadmap

Coming Soon (Early Access → Free Tier):

• Writing Modes – Context-aware tone shifting (blog → academic)
• Style Mirroring – AI that matches your writing voice

Supernova supporters get 1-2 months early access before features become free.

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© 2026 Shawn Duggan • Built with pride in Halifax, NS 🇨🇦