> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/obsidianmd/obsidian-help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a vault

> Understand what an Obsidian vault is and learn how to create a new one, open an existing folder, or manage multiple vaults.

A vault is a folder on your local file system where Obsidian stores your notes. Because a vault is just a plain folder of Markdown files, you own your data completely — you can open it in any text editor, back it up with any tool, and move it wherever you like.

You can keep all your notes in a single vault, or create separate vaults for different projects or areas of your life.

<Note>
  Obsidian does not store your notes in the cloud or in a proprietary format. Everything lives in a regular folder on your device.
</Note>

## Create a new empty vault

When you open Obsidian for the first time, it asks you to add a vault. To create a brand-new vault:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Create">
    To the right of **Create new vault**, click **Create**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name your vault">
    In the **Vault name** field, enter a name for your vault.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a location">
    Click **Browse** to select the folder where your vault will be created.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Click **Create**. Obsidian will open the new, empty vault.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Open an existing folder as a vault

If you already have a folder of Markdown files you want to use — for example, notes from another app — you can open it directly as an Obsidian vault:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Open">
    To the right of **Open folder as vault**, click **Open**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the folder">
    In the file browser, navigate to and select the folder you want to use.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Click **Open**. Obsidian will treat that folder as your vault and display all Markdown files inside it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You don't need to do anything special to prepare a folder. If it contains `.md` files, Obsidian will recognise them immediately.
</Tip>

## Manage multiple vaults

You can switch between vaults or create additional ones at any time using the **vault switcher**.

* To open the vault switcher on desktop, click the vault icon at the bottom-left of the sidebar, or press `Ctrl+Shift+,` (`Cmd+Shift+,` on macOS).
* From the vault switcher you can create a new vault, open an existing folder, or switch to any vault you've previously opened.

<Info>
  Each vault has its own settings, plugins, and configuration. Changing the theme or installing a plugin in one vault does not affect other vaults.
</Info>

## How Obsidian stores data

Obsidian creates a hidden `.obsidian` folder inside your vault to store settings, plugins, themes, and workspace state. Your actual notes remain as plain `.md` files at the top level and in any subfolders you create.

This design means:

* Your notes are readable by any Markdown editor.
* You can use standard file-system tools (Finder, Explorer, `rsync`, Git) to back up or move your vault.
* Deleting the `.obsidian` folder resets Obsidian's settings but leaves your notes untouched.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create your first note" icon="file-pen" href="/getting-started/first-note">
    Start writing in your new vault.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Link notes" icon="link" href="/getting-started/link-notes">
    Connect your notes to build a network of ideas.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>