Follow Mode for Obsidian

Emulates Emacs' follow-mode: view the same file across multiple panes as a continuous scroll. Each pane picks up exactly where the previous one left off, so you can read one long document across several side-by-side (or stacked) panes like pages of a book.

Demo

Usage

1. Open the same note in two or more panes (use Split right / Split down).
2. Activate follow mode via:
   • Command palette → Toggle follow mode
   • Ribbon icon (📖 book icon in the left sidebar)
3. Scroll in any pane — the others will stay in sync as consecutive pages.
4. Toggle the command again to deactivate.

A Follow Mode indicator appears in the status bar while active.

How it works

When follow mode is active, panes showing the same file are linked so that each pane displays the next consecutive portion of the document:

┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│  Lines 1-40 │ │ Lines 41-80 │ │ Lines 81-120│
│   (Pane 1)  │ │   (Pane 2)  │ │   (Pane 3)  │
└─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘

Scrolling any pane updates all the others. Panes are ordered left-to-right, then top-to-bottom.

Compatibility

• Works in Source, Live Preview, and Reading mode.
• Supports any number of panes showing the same file.
• Automatically adapts when panes are opened, closed, or rearranged.

Installation

Manual

1. Download the latest release (main.js, manifest.json, styles.css) from the Releases page.
2. Create a folder follow-mode inside your vault's .obsidian/plugins/ directory.
3. Copy the three files into that folder.
4. Enable the plugin in Settings → Community plugins.

Build from source

git clone https://github.com/istib/obsidian-follow-mode.git
cd obsidian-follow-mode
npm install
npm run build

Then copy main.js, manifest.json, and styles.css into your vault's .obsidian/plugins/follow-mode/.

License

MIT — see LICENSE.