Mark & Link

A lightweight Obsidian plugin designed to speed up your note-linking workflow. With a single keyboard shortcut, it converts selected text (or the word under the cursor) into an internal link and physically creates the new .md file in the background without interrupting your writing flow.

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🌟 Key Features

• Instant Linking: Converts the current selection or the word under your cursor into a [[note]] link.
• Background Note Creation: Automatically generates the empty .md file in your vault (app.vault.create) without requiring you to click the link or open a new tab.
• Smart Alias Handling: If the highlighted text contains special characters, Markdown formatting, or line breaks, the plugin cleans up the string for the OS file system and generates an alias link: [[CleanedName|Original Text]].
• File Name Sanitization: Automatically removes illegal operating system characters (/ \ ? % * : | " < >) to ensure valid file names across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Zero Distractions: Automatically repositions your cursor immediately after the newly created link so you can keep typing without breaking focus.
• Visual Confirmation: Displays a subtle notification (Notice) confirming when the note has been successfully created.

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🚀 How It Works

1. Place your cursor on a word or highlight a phrase in the editor.
2. Press the keyboard shortcut (Cmd + Shift + E / Ctrl + Shift + E).
3. The plugin will:
   • Replace the text with [[NoteName]] (or [[CleanName|Original Text]]).
   • Check if the file already exists in your Vault.
   • If it does not exist, create the physical .md file in your default new note location.
   • Move the cursor directly after the trailing ]] brackets.

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⌨️ Default Keyboard Shortcuts

Operating System	Hotkey
macOS	Cmd + Shift + E
Windows / Linux	Ctrl + Shift + E

(You can customize this keybinding anytime under Settings > Hotkeys by searching for "Mark and Link").

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🛠️ Manual Installation

1. Download the release files (main.js, manifest.json).
2. Create a folder named mark-and-link inside your Vault directory at: .obsidian/plugins/mark-and-link/
3. Copy the downloaded files into that folder.
4. Reload Obsidian or restart the app.
5. Navigate to Settings > Community plugins and toggle on Mark & Link.

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📄 License

Distributed under the MIT License.