Better Explorer

Better Explorer adds VS Code-style sticky folder headers to the built-in file explorer.

When you scroll through a large vault, expanded parent folders stay pinned at the top of the file explorer and nested folders stack underneath them. The result is a small quality-of-life improvement: you can always see where you are without replacing Obsidian's native file explorer.

Demo

Features

• Sticky headers for expanded folders in Obsidian's core file explorer.
• Nested stacking for parent, child, and deeper open folders.
• Works with the existing file explorer instead of adding a separate view.
• Lightweight DOM enhancement; no vault scans on startup.
• No settings required.
• No network requests, telemetry, or data collection.
• Mobile-compatible in principle; the plugin does not use desktop-only APIs.

Installation

Community plugins

This plugin is not yet listed in Obsidian's community plugin directory.

Once it is available there:

1. Open Settings → Community plugins in Obsidian.
2. Disable Restricted mode if needed.
3. Select Browse and search for Better Explorer.
4. Select Install, then Enable.

Manual install

1. Download the latest release files:

   • manifest.json
   • main.js
   • styles.css

2. Create this folder in your vault:

   <Your vault>/.obsidian/plugins/better-explorer/
   

3. Copy the three files into that folder.

4. Reload Obsidian.

5. Enable Better Explorer in Settings → Community plugins.

Install from source

git clone https://github.com/iscii/obsidian-better-explorer.git
cd obsidian-better-explorer
npm install
npm run build

Then copy main.js, manifest.json, and styles.css into:

<Your vault>/.obsidian/plugins/better-explorer/

Reload Obsidian and enable the plugin.

Usage

There are no commands or settings. Enable the plugin and open Obsidian's file explorer.

Expanded folders become sticky as you scroll. Collapse a folder to remove its sticky header from the stack.

Privacy and security

Better Explorer runs locally inside Obsidian.

• It does not send network requests.
• It does not collect analytics or telemetry.
• It does not read note contents.
• It only enhances the file explorer DOM that Obsidian already renders.

Development

npm install
npm test
npm run build
npm run dev

• npm test runs the core behavior tests.
• npm run build type-checks and bundles the plugin.
• npm run dev watches and rebuilds during development.

Release artifacts are main.js, manifest.json, and styles.css.

License

MIT