How do I send web highlights to Obsidian?
Install Obsidian's Local REST API plugin, add it as an Obsidian destination in Lumen with the note path, and point a collection at it. Every new highlight you make in that collection is appended to the note once, in Obsidian's ==highlight== syntax with a link back to the source.
Step by step
- In Obsidian, install the community plugin Local REST API and copy its API key.
- In Lumen, open Integrations, add Obsidian, enter the note path (for example Research/essay.md) and the key.
- Create a collection for the project and choose that destination.
- In the extension popup, pick the collection as the target and highlight away.
Good to know
The API key stays in your browser; Lumen's server never sees your vault.
Lumen keeps a delivery ledger, so syncing again never duplicates a highlight, even if you clip the same page ten times.
Pick a format per destination: ==passage==^[your note] (works with Sidebar Highlights), an Obsidian quote callout, or a plain blockquote.
Related questions
Does Obsidian need to be open?
Yes, the Local REST API runs inside Obsidian. Unsent highlights wait and go out on the next sync.
Can different projects go to different notes?
Yes. Each collection points at its own note.
Updated 2026-11-01.