# create_note
Create a new note in the Obsidian vault.
## Description
Creates a new markdown file at the specified path. Missing directories are automatically created. The operation fails if the file already exists.
## Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --------- | -------- | -------- | ------------------------------------- |
| `path` | `string` | Yes | Path where the note should be created |
| `content` | `string` | Yes | Content of the note |
## Returns
Success message confirming creation.
```json
{
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"text": "Note created successfully at projects/2024/meeting.md. Any missing directories were created automatically."
}
]
}
```
## Examples
### Create a simple note
```json
{
"name": "create_note",
"arguments": {
"path": "notes/new-idea.md",
"content": "# New Idea\n\nThis is my new idea."
}
}
```
### Create a note with frontmatter
```json
{
"name": "create_note",
"arguments": {
"path": "blog/draft-post.md",
"content": "---\ntitle: My Draft Post\ntags: [blog, draft]\nstatus: draft\n---\n\n# My Draft Post\n\nContent here..."
}
}
```
### Create a note in nested directories
```json
{
"name": "create_note",
"arguments": {
"path": "projects/2024/q1/january/weekly/week-01.md",
"content": "# Week 01 Notes\n\n## Goals\n- Complete project setup"
}
}
```
## Behavior
```mermaid
flowchart TD
A[create_note called] --> B{File exists?}
B -->|Yes| C[Fail: Already exists]
B -->|No| D{Directory exists?}
D -->|No| E[Create directories]
D -->|Yes| F[Write file]
E --> F
F --> G[Invalidate file list cache]
G --> H[Invalidate search cache]
H --> I[Update path trie]
I --> J[Return success]
```
### Directory Creation
- Uses `fs.mkdir(dir, { recursive: true })`
- Safe operation with no risk of partial creation
- Cross-platform compatible (Windows, macOS, Linux)
### Cache Invalidation
After creating a note:
1. File list cache is invalidated
2. Search result cache is cleared
3. Path trie is updated (if enabled)
## Error Handling
| Error | Cause |
| --------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| `"Path and content are required"` | Missing required parameters |
| `"Note already exists: {path}"` | File already exists at path |
| `EACCES` | Permission denied |
## Comparison with update_note
| Scenario | create_note | update_note |
| ------------------- | ------------ | -------------------------------- |
| File exists | Fails | Updates content |
| File doesn't exist | Creates file | Fails (unless createIfNotExists) |
| Missing directories | Creates them | Creates them (if creating) |
## Related Tools
- [update_note](update_note.md) - Update or create notes
- [read_note](read_note.md) - Read the created note
- [delete_note](delete_note.md) - Delete the note
## Source
- Handler: [`src/handlers/toolHandlers.ts`](../../src/handlers/toolHandlers.ts)
- Service: [`src/services/fileSystem.ts`](../../src/services/fileSystem.ts)
