File Tree Alternative
– is a plugin that completely changes how the structure of your notes is presented in Obsidian.
In standard Obsidian, all the folders and files are in one view, which over the years turns the sidebar into a long list.
File Tree Alternative splits the display into two parts – a folders panel and a files panel – and can even do a “classic Evernote mode” with two columns at once.
This brings order to the chaos of a big vault and becomes a real help for both beginners and experienced users.
Tip:
- Pin especially important notes at the top of the files list – they’ll always be at hand.
- You can even create a “Favourites” list, which the plugin will remember between sessions.
- This saves time on constantly searching for frequently used notes.
Integration with MOC, PARA and CODE
File Tree Alternative fits perfectly into the popular knowledge-organisation systems.
1️⃣ MOC (Map of Content)
A MOC is the “cartographer” of your notes, usually a summary index.
- With File Tree Alternative, moving between MOC pages and related sections becomes easier: you see the folder with the MOC note on the left and immediately move to the child notes you need on the right.
Deep cards (“multi-level maps of content”) look clear thanks to the folders panel, from which you can select new sections.
2️⃣ PARA (Projects-Areas-Resources-Archive)
When using PARA, the plugin helps you visually separate projects.
- Switching between projects, you literally change “rooms”, focusing on one project while the rest are hidden. The “Resources” panel becomes an extra database, and “Archive” – just another folder focus. Counting notes in folders works well for assessing project load.
3️⃣ Why it’s better than the built-in File Explorer
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The built-in Explorer doesn’t separate folders and files: everything is in one list, with no flexible settings. File Tree Alternative splits the tree into two panels, which immediately removes the overload.
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Evernote mode: the built-in explorer doesn’t have this. The user can turn on the “Evernote view” in FTA and get the familiar two-column interface.
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Focusing: there’s nothing like it in the standard explorer with a double click. The plugin lets you “centre” your view on one folder and collapse the extra branches.
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Configuration: the basic Explorer doesn’t let you disable folders, count files or set icons. File Tree Alternative has a host of options – from excluding paths to customisable icons and “collapse/expand all” buttons.
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Working with files: in the built-in Explorer you can rename and delete files, but there’s no convenient search and filters “out of the box”. File Tree Alternative adds full-text search by name, the
tag:syntax for filtering by tags, buttons for advanced file filtering. Moreover, it understands not only Markdown – you can move and open any attached files (e.g. documents or images) and even drag external files right into the folder you need.
All of this makes File Tree Alternative more advantageous than the standard explorer for those who keep a big base. If you feel lazy about manual navigation or just lack folder-level control, the plugin handles it “on autopilot”.
Conclusion:
File Tree Alternative essentially complements Obsidian’s standard navigation with very powerful features that a beginner might not have needed at first, but that become indispensable as your vault grows.
It’s made with an understanding of real tasks: grouping, focusing, quick access to tags and pinning files. That’s exactly why many experienced users consider it one of their main helpers in systematising knowledge.
If you feel that the standard file manager is starting to “choke” you, or you want to work faster, it’s worth trying File Tree Alternative. A confident step towards order – and you’ll feel the difference straight away.
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