How to Start With Sidian Sidekick

Getting started with Sidian Sidekick is straightforward once the initial setup is in place. This guide walks you through everything from your welcome email to your first daily reports.

1. Check Your Welcome Email

After you subscribe, you’ll receive a welcome email.

You’ll also get an invitation to the Digital Journaler Club, where you can:

• Introduce yourself
• Ask setup questions
• Get support if you get stuck

We may run weekly onboarding workshops in the future, but they are not currently active.

2. Create (or Use) a GitHub Account

Your setup instructions include a GitHub step.

If you don’t already have an account, create one first. You’ll need it to host your journal vault repository.

3. Clone the Template Vault

You’ll be asked to clone the template vault repository.

Recommended approach:

• Clone the template
• Rename the repository to something meaningful for you
• Set it to private, since your journal includes personal thoughts and plans

4. Connect the Vault in Obsidian

Open Obsidian, select “Open folder as vault”, and choose the folder you just cloned (the one connected to your GitHub repository).

Then verify your sync flow:

• Create a test note
• Commit/push (or trigger your sync workflow)
• Confirm the new file appears on GitHub

5. Bring in Existing Notes (Optional)

Most people already have notes they care about.

Move over what makes sense now. You don’t need to migrate everything on day one. Keep sensitive account or private docs out of this vault if you prefer.

Start lean; add more later.

6. Complete Your First Sync

Once your first sync (from step 4) is complete, Clara sends a welcome email to confirm she can read your vault.

That confirms your system is working end to end.

7. Review the Two Core Root Files

At the root of your vault, you’ll see two important files:

Guide.md

This file contains instructions for agents on how to handle your notes.

You can edit it anytime to customize behavior. Add rules, remove rules, and tune the system as your workflow evolves.

Inbox.md

This is your capture space for quick thoughts, reminders, and ideas (especially from your phone).

Clara reviews inbox items and can involve other agents when needed. If they make mistakes, you can correct the notes in Inbox.md and simply ask the agents to update your Guide.md so they don’t repeat the mistake—or just update the Guide yourself.

You can also use your Inbox to ask Clara and Nova on-demand to research new topics or brainstorm ideas with you. They’ll drop their findings right back to your vault.

8. Start Journaling Normally

From here, keep your normal journaling flow.

Clara and Nova will:

• Send daily email updates
• Add reports to your Reports folder

9. Add Goals and Projects

Create a few notes in your Goals folder.

Then add one or more supporting projects in your Projects folder. Clara will use your daily writing to help you stay aligned and gently remind you of what matters.

10. Join the Community

When you’re ready, come to the Digital Journaler Club to share your experience and learn from others.

The best setups evolve through practice and conversation.

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Welcome aboard.

Enjoy the experience!

With deep respect and joy that you will join me,

Zeljko (Jake) Dakic