# read_note
Read the content of a note from the Obsidian vault.
## Description
Retrieves the full content of a markdown note. Content is cached with modification-time validation for optimal performance on repeated reads.
## Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --------- | -------- | -------- | --------------------------------- |
| `path` | `string` | Yes | Path to the note within the vault |
## Returns
The raw content of the note as a string.
```
# Meeting Notes
s
## Attendees
- John
- Jane
## Action Items
- Review proposal
- Schedule follow-up
```
## Examples
### Read a note
```json
{
"name": "read_note",
"arguments": {
"path": "notes/meeting.md"
}
}
```
### Read a nested note
```json
{
"name": "read_note",
"arguments": {
"path": "projects/2024/january/report.md"
}
}
```
## Behavior
```mermaid
flowchart TD
A[read_note called] --> B[Get file stats]
B --> C{In content cache?}
C -->|Yes| D{mtime matches?}
C -->|No| E[Read from disk]
D -->|Yes| F[Return cached content]
D -->|No| G[Invalidate cache]
G --> E
E --> H[Parse frontmatter]
H --> I[Compute metadata]
I --> J[Store in cache]
J --> F
```
### Caching
When a note is read, the following metadata is computed and cached:
- Parsed frontmatter (tags, custom fields)
- Word count
- Line count
- Inline tags
This metadata is used to optimize subsequent search operations.
See [Content Cache](../features/content-cache.md) for details.
### Indexing
If the inverted index is enabled, the note content is automatically indexed for fast text search. See [Inverted Index](../features/inverted-index.md).
## Error Handling
| Error | Cause |
| -------------------- | ------------------------ |
| `"Path is required"` | Missing `path` parameter |
| `ENOENT` | File does not exist |
| `EACCES` | Permission denied |
## Related Tools
- [list_notes](list_notes.md) - List available notes
- [get_note_metadata](get_note_metadata.md) - Get just the metadata without full content
- [update_note](update_note.md) - Modify the note content
## Source
- Handler: [`src/handlers/toolHandlers.ts`](../../src/handlers/toolHandlers.ts)
- Service: [`src/services/fileSystem.ts`](../../src/services/fileSystem.ts)
