> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://marc-saurette.gitbook.io/historical-game-studies-2024/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://marc-saurette.gitbook.io/historical-game-studies-2024/course-info/digital-tools/obsidian/installing-obsidian.md).

# Installing Obsidian\*

To install Obsidian on your computer or device, navigate to <https://obsidian.md>. The landing page will ask you to download files or will link you to an App store. Click on the button (in my case, since I'm using a Mac, it suggests I should download the version for macOS. You can also locate the best install package for your computer at <https://obsidian.md/download>.

![The website will likely auto-detect what your device is and what version you should download. ](https://1273882212-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjgXfV5BJRJ9ezuJvT43v%2Fuploads%2F5MmeSTgS1BA5N3Jk4u4X%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-07-17%20at%2010.30.33%20AM.png?alt=media\&token=234aac21-ec7e-4f87-bc6d-9c567f56139e)

Do what you need to do to install it. In macOS, I needed to double click on the downloaded file, and then drag the Obsidian app file into my applications folder. If you're using Windows or Linux, this will look a bit different, but should be relatively easy (and similar) to do.&#x20;

![It is a pretty easy basic install. The complexity comes later!](https://1273882212-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjgXfV5BJRJ9ezuJvT43v%2Fuploads%2FbIm4VoBMOqsJAsGzDbTq%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-07-17%20at%2011.01.18%20AM.png?alt=media\&token=b3d155ba-ce50-4939-9bf5-34c73a4e5d75)

When you successfully install Obsidian and get it running, it will open with a window that looks like this; except if you're using it for the first time you won't have any "vaults" in the sidebar. You can create your own to test out how it works, but I will also create a starter vault for the course for you to download (with readings, templates etc.).

<figure><img src="https://1273882212-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjgXfV5BJRJ9ezuJvT43v%2Fuploads%2FQUFgFtaUhUqemgIzUiTb%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-09-13%20at%202.03.42%20PM.png?alt=media&amp;token=3f707202-f710-40aa-8499-b516e798f8b1" alt=""><figcaption><p>The sidebar shows my various vaults which I use with Obsidian. Yours will likely be empty unless you created a vault already. </p></figcaption></figure>