Step 13: Spaced repetition (Obsidian plugin)

The Obsidian Spaced Repetition plugin uses the SM-2 algorithm to schedule flashcards based on how well you know them. Cards are created in your Markdown files and reviewed within Obsidian.

13a. Install plugin

  1. Open Obsidian
  2. Go to Settings → Community Plugins → Browse community plugins
  3. Search for "Spaced Repetition"
  4. Install the plugin by Stephen Mwangi
  5. Enable the plugin via the toggle

13b. Flashcard format

Cards are created in regular Markdown files using the ? separator:

#flashcard

What is the definition of substitution care?
?
Care that is moved from secondary to primary care, maintaining quality but at lower cost.

What are the three pillars of the Integrated Care Agreement?
?
1. Appropriate care
2. Regional collaboration
3. Digitalization and data exchange

Cards can be in the same file as the literature note or written to flashcards/. The recommended approach is to place cards in the note itself: this keeps the card connected to its context and source reference, and during review you can immediately see where a concept came from. The flashcards/ folder is intended for standalone concept cards that are not tied to one specific source — for example definitions or principles you want to remember independently of a paper.

13c. Claude Code generates flashcards automatically

After creating a literature note, you can ask Claude Code to generate flashcards:

Create 3–5 flashcards for the literature note just created.
Use the Obsidian Spaced Repetition format with ? as separator.

Claude Code adds the cards to the end of the existing note (or writes them to flashcards/[same name].md).

13d. Daily review

  1. Open Obsidian
  2. Click the card icon in the right sidebar (or use Cmd + Shift + R)
  3. Review the cards scheduled for today: Easy / Good / Hard
  4. The plugin automatically schedules the next review based on your rating

Privacy note: All cards and review data are stored as local files in your vault. No cloud sync is required.