ASCII Tree Generator for Obsidian

Transform indented outlines into beautiful ASCII tree diagrams directly in your Obsidian notes. Perfect for technical documentation, project hierarchies, or mind-mapping.

Features:

• Simple Syntax: Use either standard markdown lists or = characters to indicate nesting levels
• Automatic Hierarchy Detection: Converts markdown code blocks into ASCII trees
• Multi-Level Support: Handles unlimited nesting levels with proper indentation
• Clean Formatting: Produces professional-looking trees with proper box-drawing characters
• Dual-Mode Display: Renders trees in both preview and editing modes
• Native Markdown Compatible: Works with standard markdown list indentation

How to Use:

Method 1: Using markdown lists

1. Create a code block with tree keyword as a language identifier.
2. Use standard markdown list syntax:
   • Unordered lists with -, *, or +
   • Ordered lists with numbers (1., 2., etc.)
   • Standard tab indentation for nesting levels

Method 2: Using equals signs

1. Create a code block with tree keyword as a language identifier.
2. Indent hierarchy levels using = signs:
   • Each = represents one level of nesting
   • Example: ==subitem → two levels deep

Example usage:

Example 1 (with markdown lists):

Project
- Documentation
  - README.md
  - Changelog.md
- Source
  - Frontend
    - Components
      - Header
      - Footer
  - Backend
    - API
      - User
      - Product
- Tests
  - Unit
  - Integration

Output:

Project
├── Documentation
│   ├── README.md
│   └── Changelog.md
├── Source
│   ├── Frontend
│   │   └── Components
│   │       ├── Header
│   │       └── Footer
│   └── Backend
│       └── API
│           ├── User
│           └── Product
└── Tests
    ├── Unit
    └── Integration

Example 2 (with equals signs):

Project
=Documentation
==README.md
==Changelog.md
=Source
==Frontend
===Components
====Header
====Footer
==Backend
===API
====User
====Product
=Tests
==Unit
==Integration

Output:

Project
├── Documentation
│   ├── README.md
│   └── Changelog.md
├── Source
│   ├── Frontend
│   │   └── Components
│   │       ├── Header
│   │       └── Footer
│   └── Backend
│       └── API
│           ├── User
│           └── Product
└── Tests
    ├── Unit
    └── Integration

Available Commands:

This plugin provides three convenient commands accessible through the Command Palette (Ctrl/Cmd + P):

Convert selection to tree code block

• Usage: Select text and run this command to wrap it in a tree code block
• Behavior:
  • With text selected: Wraps selection in tree code block
  • Without selection: Wraps the current line in tree code block
• Perfect for: Converting existing lists or hierarchies into tree format

Convert tree block back to text

• Usage: Place cursor anywhere within a tree code block and run this command
• Behavior: Removes the tree wrapper, leaving just the plain text content

Toggle tree block

• Usage: Smart command that automatically chooses between adding or removing a tree code block
• Behavior:
  • If cursor is inside a tree block → removes the tree block
  • If cursor is outside a tree block → converts selection/line to tree block

💡 Tip: Assign keyboard shortcuts to these commands in Obsidian's Hotkeys settings for even faster workflow.

Settings:

The plugin settings page (Obsidian Settings → Community Plugins → ASCII Tree Generator) lets you configure:

• Connector dashes — how many ─ characters follow each ├ or └. Default is 2, giving the classic ├── style. Can be set between 1 and 10.
• Auto-append / to folders — automatically adds a trailing / to any item that has children in the tree.

Per-block connector width

You can override the global connector width for a specific block by adding a number after tree on the opening fence line:

```tree 4
Project
- src
  - main.ts
- docs
  - README.md
```

This produces ├──── connectors just for that block, while all other blocks keep using the global setting.

Installation:

1. Available through Obsidian's Community Plugins
2. Search for "ASCII Tree Generator"
3. Enable plugin after installation