Operon FAQ
The questions that come up most, grouped, with a link to the page that answers each in full. If you are stuck, start here, then follow the link.
Getting started
What is Operon, in one line? A task and project management system that unifies inline tasks and file-based tasks in the same workflows, with filters, Calendar planning, Kanban boards, recurrence, pinned tasks, and time tracking, all inside your vault's Markdown. See Getting started with Operon.
What is the least I need to learn? One task and one view. See Create your first task and Build your first filtered view.
Do I have to use every view and feature? No. Operon scales down to a plain, minimal setup, and unused features write nothing into your notes. See Do you need to use all of Operon?.
Does it work on mobile? Yes. Some views are roomier on desktop, but mobile is supported. See Install and enable Operon.
Tasks
Inline task or file task? Start inline; promote to a file task when the work needs its own note. See Inline vs file tasks.
What is the operonId? A task's durable identity, so the same task stays recognizable everywhere. Do not edit or copy it. See Task identity and operonId.
How do I make a task repeat? Add a recurrence rule, easiest through the Task Editor. See Recurring tasks.
How do I break a task down? Plain checkboxes for quick steps, subtasks for real work. See Plain checkbox lists and Parent and sub-tasks.
Views and planning
Calendar or Kanban? Plan by date on the Calendar, by stage on the Kanban. See Calendar overview and Kanban overview.
How do I find one task fast? Use Task Finder. See Task Finder.
How do I see only what matters now? Build and save a filter. See Filter View.
Data and sync
Where are my tasks stored? In your Markdown notes; nothing on a server. See Where Operon stores data.
If I uninstall Operon, do I lose my tasks? No. They are Markdown in your notes; you lose only the views and settings. See Markdown task storage.
Is it safe to sync across devices? Yes, with care. Identity keeps tasks distinct, and the conflict manager resolves duplicates. See Sync conflict safety.
Do I need to reindex after updating? Normally no. The first startup without the new layout automatically builds its cache from current notes. Later startups reuse a valid cache and reconcile changes. A one-time slower opening is different from repeated rebuilding. See Plugin data and state files.
Are Vault Properties indexed too? Yes. They share the persistent task index with canonical and mapped custom fields, for File and Inline tasks. Markdown remains authoritative; editability still depends on a supported, verified type. See Vault Properties.
What if the cache is corrupt or from an unsupported version? Inspect Index diagnostics and use its guarded repair path when appropriate. A normal rebuild does not force an unsafe overwrite. Do not delete operational state or recovery evidence to bypass the check. See Rebuild full index.
Customization
Can I rename Operon's property names? Yes, for file-task frontmatter, through key mappings. See Key mappings.
Can I add my own field? Yes. Use a configured Custom key or supported Vault Property, depending on the behavior you need. See Task properties and Vault Properties.
Can I change the statuses and priorities? Yes, both are yours to define. See Pipelines and statuses and Task priorities.
I cannot find a setting. Search Obsidian's settings; Operon's are registered there. See Settings search.
When something looks wrong
A task is not showing up. Check the source, view filters, exclusions, duplicate identities, and index readiness. Rebuild only when the index remains stale. See Missing tasks.
A task looks wrong on the Calendar or Kanban. Check its dates and the view filter. In Kanban, also check the column and swimlane selections, including the pipeline when an axis uses Status. See Calendar or Kanban rendering issues.
Two tasks share an id. The Operon ID Conflict manager resolves it. See Duplicate IDs.
Working with an assistant
Can an AI agent work with my tasks? Yes, because the data is plain, identified, and consistent. The key rule is to read your key mappings first. See Agent-friendly workflows.
Can I hand these docs to an assistant? Yes. Every page is plain text that stands on its own. See How to use these docs.