# delete_note
Delete a note from the Obsidian vault.
## Description
Removes a markdown file from the vault. Empty parent directories are automatically cleaned up after deletion.
## Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --------- | -------- | -------- | --------------------------------- |
| `path` | `string` | Yes | Path to the note within the vault |
## Returns
Success message confirming deletion.
```json
{
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"text": "Note deleted successfully: notes/old-meeting.md"
}
]
}
```
## Examples
### Delete a note
```json
{
"name": "delete_note",
"arguments": {
"path": "notes/old-meeting.md"
}
}
```
### Delete a nested note
```json
{
"name": "delete_note",
"arguments": {
"path": "archive/2023/january/report.md"
}
}
```
## Behavior
```mermaid
flowchart TD
A[delete_note called] --> B{File exists?}
B -->|No| C[Fail: Not found]
B -->|Yes| D[Delete file]
D --> E{Parent dir empty?}
E -->|Yes| F[Remove empty directory]
E -->|No| G[Keep directory]
F --> H[Invalidate caches]
G --> H
H --> I[Update indexes]
I --> J[Return success]
```
### Empty Directory Cleanup
After deleting a note, the server checks if the parent directory is empty and removes it if so. This keeps the vault tidy without orphaned empty folders.
### Cache Invalidation
After deleting a note:
1. File list cache is invalidated
2. Content cache entry for the file is removed
3. Search result cache is cleared
4. Inverted index entry is removed
5. Path trie entry is removed
## Error Handling
| Error | Cause |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------ |
| `"Path is required"` | Missing `path` parameter |
| `"Note not found: {path}"` | File does not exist |
| `EACCES` | Permission denied |
## Related Tools
- [create_note](create_note.md) - Create a new note
- [list_notes](list_notes.md) - List available notes
- [manage_folder](manage_folder.md) - Delete entire folders
## Source
- Handler: [`src/handlers/toolHandlers.ts`](../../src/handlers/toolHandlers.ts)
- Service: [`src/services/fileSystem.ts`](../../src/services/fileSystem.ts)
