README file from
GithubScratchpad
Scratchpad is an Obsidian plugin that provides a simple space in the sidebar for quick text notes and freehand drawings - perfect for jotting down ideas while working across multiple notes.
Features
- A text input area for quick notes
- A canvas for freehand drawing with customizable brush color and size
- Content can be saved to disk
- Lightweight and distraction-free
Installation
- In Obsidian, open Settings → Community Plugins.
- Make sure Safe Mode is turned off to enable plugin installation
- Click Browse, then search for "Scratchpad" or open directly:
obsidian://show-plugin?id=scratchpad - Click Install, then Enable the plugin.
Usage
- Open the command palette (
Ctrl/Cmd + P) and search forScratchpad, or click the notebook-pen icon in the left ribbon. - The plugin opens in the sidebar with two tabs: Text and Canvas.
- In the Text tab, you can type quick notes. Use the Copy to Scratchpad option from the context menu in any Markdown note to append selected text here.
- In the Canvas tab, you can draw using your mouse or stylus, with tools to adjust color, brush size, and clear the canvas.
- Click the Save button at the top to save your current text and drawing content to disk.

[!NOTE]
- This is a temporary note - your content is stored in memory and will be lost when the app is closed unless you manually save it to disk.
- Scratchpad does not support multiple notes.
Read the blog at https://bit.ly/4exb8PZ.
License
MIT