# Decks Decks is a spaced repetition flashcard plugin for Obsidian that helps you learn and memorize information using the FSRS algorithm. If you like this plugin, consider buying me a coffee and I will add more features. Buy Me A Coffee ## Demo ![Watch the demo](./decks_showcase.gif) ## Quick start 1. **Install the plugin**: Download and enable Decks in your Obsidian plugins 2. **Open the panel**: Click the brain icon in the ribbon or use the command palette 3. **Create your first deck**: Follow the guide below to create flashcards 4. **Start learning**: Click on any deck to begin reviewing flashcards ## Creating flashcards ### Header + paragraph format Create a markdown file and tag it with `#flashcards`: ```markdown --- tags: [flashcards/spanish-basics] --- # What does "Hola" mean in English? Hello # How do you say "Thank you" in Spanish? Gracias # What is the Spanish word for "water"? Agua ``` - Each header becomes the **front** of a flashcard - All content until the next header becomes the **back** - The filename becomes your deck name - Cards are automatically extracted and synced ### Table format Create flashcards using a two-column table: ```markdown --- tags: [flashcards/vocabulary] --- ## Concepts | Question | Answer | | ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | What is photosynthesis? | The process by which plants convert sunlight into energy | | Define gravity | The force that attracts objects toward each other | | What is DNA? | Deoxyribonucleic acid - carries genetic information | ``` - First column = **front** of flashcard - Second column = **back** of flashcard - Header row is ignored - Tables need to be inside a header with header level specified in the settings to be parsed. - There should not be any other paragraphs in the header together with the table, because then it will be parsed as a Header+Paragraph Block #### Optional notes column You can add a third column for notes that provide extra context, hints, or mnemonics. Notes are shown during review via a toggle button on the back of the card. ```markdown ## Spanish vocabulary | Front | Back | Notes | | -------------------- | ----------- | -------------------------------------------- | | Hola | Hello | Informal greeting, used with friends | | Buenos días | Good morning| Literally "good days", used until noon | | Gracias | Thank you | Add "muchas" for "thank you very much" | | ¿Cómo estás? | How are you?| | ``` - The notes column is optional — tables without it work the same as before - Empty notes cells are allowed - During review, a small info icon appears on the back card when notes are available - Press **N** to toggle notes visibility ### Tips - **Use descriptive tags**: `#flashcards/spanish-verbs` instead of `#flashcards/deck1` - **Keep cards atomic**: One concept per card - **Use images and formatting**: Markdown formatting is fully supported - **Organize by topic**: Group related concepts in the same deck ## Key concepts ### Learning states - **New**: Cards you have never seen before - **Learning**: Cards in short-term review cycle with short intervals - **Due**: Cards scheduled for long-term spaced repetition review - **Mature**: Cards with an interval of 21 days or more ### FSRS algorithm Decks uses the Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler (FSRS), a modern algorithm that adapts to your performance, optimizes retention, and predicts when you are about to forget. Two built-in profiles are available: - **Standard**: Balanced scheduling for everyday learning - **Intensive**: Shorter intervals for aggressive memorization ### Review ratings When reviewing flashcards you rate each card: - **Again**: I don't remember this at all. Resets the card to learning state. - **Hard**: I struggled but got it eventually. Shorter than normal spacing. - **Good**: I remembered it correctly. Normal interval increase. - **Easy**: Too easy, I know this well. Longer interval increase. ## Features ### Deck profiles Create custom profiles with configurable daily limits for new and review cards, retention targets, and FSRS algorithm selection. Profiles are assigned to tags so all decks under a tag share the same settings. Each deck in a tag group enforces its own daily quota. ### Browse mode Browse all cards in a deck or tag group without affecting their scheduling state. Navigate forward and backward through the full card list. ### Review sessions Timed review sessions with a configurable duration (default 25 minutes). A progress bar tracks how many cards you have reviewed toward the session goal, which respects your daily limits. ### Keyboard shortcuts During review: - **Space**: Show answer or move to next card - **1**: Again - **2**: Hard - **3**: Good - **4**: Easy ### Statistics Track your learning with detailed analytics: - Study time (today, this week, this month, all time) - Card state breakdown (new, learning, review, mature) - Review heatmap calendar - Charts: reviews over time, stability distribution, future due forecast, maturity progression, hourly breakdown, answer button stats - Per-deck and overall statistics ### Anki export Export flashcards to Anki-compatible format with configurable deck names and note types. ### Multi-device sync Works with Dropbox, iCloud, or any file sync service. When the database is modified on multiple devices, Decks merges the changes automatically — review history is preserved from both sides and cards use the most recently modified version. ### Mobile support Fully responsive design for Obsidian mobile with touch-friendly buttons and safe-area handling. ## Configuration Access settings from Obsidian Settings > Decks. ### Profiles Open the Profiles Manager from the deck list panel to create and edit profiles. Each profile controls: - **New cards per day**: Limit how many new cards are introduced daily (per deck) - **Review cards per day**: Limit how many review cards are shown daily (per deck) - **Retention target**: How well you want to remember cards (default 90%) - **FSRS profile**: Standard or Intensive algorithm weights - **Header level**: Which header level to use for parsing flashcards - **Review order**: Oldest due first or random Assign a profile to a tag from the gear icon on any deck or tag group in the deck list. ### Review settings - **Session duration**: How long each review session lasts (1-60 minutes) - **Next day starts at**: When the study day rolls over (default 4:00 AM) - **Keyboard shortcuts**: Enable or disable keyboard shortcuts during review ### Parsing settings - **Search path**: Scan the entire vault or restrict to a specific folder ### Other settings - **Background refresh**: Automatically refresh the deck list on an interval - **Automatic backups**: Keep up to N database backups - **Debug logging**: Enable detailed logging for troubleshooting ## Release notes Release notes for each version are in the `release-notes/` folder.