# Deploy the Obsidian plugins

This guide deploys Bryan's custom Bob plugins from a `bob-plugins` checkout into a vault, then reloads Obsidian so the desktop review surface matches the checkout.

## Before you start

Install the CLI and choose a vault with `-b` or `BOB_DIR`. Clone [bob-plugins](<https://github.com/bobs-org/bob-plugins>) and keep that checkout as the source of truth. Do not edit copies under the vault's `.obsidian/plugins/` folder; the next sync overwrites them. Sync copies plugin files. It does not enable plugins or create dashboard notes.

## 1\. List repo versions against the vault

```
bob plugins list --repo /home/alex/src/bob-plugins -b /path/to/vault
```

Output

```
Bob Plugins · 7 · /home/alex/src/bob-plugins
PLUGIN                    VERSION  SYNC     VAULT          DESCRIPTION
bob-ledger-tools          1.0.0    missing  not installed  …
bob-navigation-hotkeys    2.46.1   missing  not installed  …
7 not installed
```

Confirm each plugin row and the footer counts. `list` exits 0 when plugins are missing or drifting; those are reportable states.

## 2\. Preview the sync

```
bob plugins sync --repo /home/alex/src/bob-plugins -b /path/to/vault --dry-run
```

The dry run prints the same diffs and skip decisions as a real sync, with `would copy` wording, and writes nothing. Pass `--repo` whenever you are inside a different bob-plugins checkout; a bare sync from a foreign checkout refuses instead of deploying the wrong tree.

## 3\. Deploy and reload

```
bob plugins sync --repo /home/alex/src/bob-plugins -b /path/to/vault
```

Confirm `copied` or `up to date` for each managed file. Enable **Bob Ledger Tools** and **Bob Navigation Hotkeys** in Obsidian's Community plugins settings, then reload Obsidian. Open a task note and confirm the task card renders.

## If it goes wrong

Uncommitted vault edits are skipped with `skipped <file> (dirty in vault; use -F/--force)`. Read the printed diff, commit or discard the vault change, and rerun the sync. Do not make `--force` a habit. A refused foreign checkout exits 2 and prints the `--repo` command to run instead.

## Related

- [Bob Plugins](<https://bobs-org.github.io/plugins/index.md>)
- [bob plugins](<https://bobs-org.github.io/reference/cli/plugins/index.md>)
- [Obsidian plugins](<https://bobs-org.github.io/reference/plugins/index.md>)
- [Continue in Obsidian](<https://bobs-org.github.io/start/obsidian/index.md>)