Plain-text ownership, not export anxiety
Your data is already in Markdown. Each item is a regular file with YAML frontmatter, so the collection stays readable outside the app from day one.
See how the files workMarkdown files. Barcode scanning. Collections you control.
A better way to catalog collections than scattered notes, spreadsheets, or locked-in databases.
MDCollections helps you track physical items in plain Markdown files on your device. Scan barcodes, assign storage locations, print QR labels, and keep everything compatible with Obsidian and readable outside the app.
- Store every item as a real Markdown file with YAML frontmatter
- Scan UPC, EAN, and ISBN barcodes to auto-fill item details
- Track shelves, bins, and containers with QR labels
- Open the same collection folders in Obsidian or any text editor
Best fit
Collectors and home organizers who want plain text without giving up a real app workflow
Use MDCollections for games, books, tools, storage bins, hobby collections, and any item catalog where ownership, search, and physical location matter.
Built around real collection workflows
- Custom item properties and title templates
- Thumbnail views, stacks, sorting, and search
- Product lookup from barcode scans
- Storage locations and printable QR labels
Why MDCollections feels different
Most tools make you choose between flexibility and a purpose-built workflow. MDCollections is strongest when you want both.
Faster item capture than manual note workflows
Barcode scanning, product lookup, thumbnails, and templates cut out the repeated setup work that usually makes note-based collection systems tedious.
See barcode scanningBuilt for physical things, not just records in a table
Track where items actually live, down to the bin or shelf, then print QR labels so finding something later is as fast as scanning a code.
See storage locationsHow MDCollections works
Point a collection at a real folder
Choose where the item files, images, and template should live so your collection stays in a normal folder structure you can browse and back up.
Add items by scan or by form
Use barcode lookup when it helps, then fill in only the fields your collection actually needs with custom properties and templates.
Browse, search, and locate things later
Group items, switch view modes, search across properties, and use location containers and QR labels when your catalog maps to physical storage.
Core Features
These are the capabilities that separate MDCollections from a generic note workflow or a cloud-first database.
Where MDCollections fits best
Use cases help answer the practical question: when is MDCollections better than simply keeping a folder of notes or a database table?
Cataloging games and collectibles
Use structured properties, cover thumbnails, barcode scanning, and title templates to catalog media and hobby collections quickly.
Read the video game use caseFast barcode-driven intake
Move from scan to saved item with product lookup, images, and location assignment instead of copying data into hand-built note templates.
Read the barcode workflow use caseHome storage and bin tracking
Track what is in each shelf, box, or container, then scan a QR label later to see the contents without opening every bin.
Read the storage use caseCompare MDCollections
If you are deciding whether to keep working in plain Obsidian alone, add MDCollections to your Obsidian workflow, or move to a broader database tool, start with the comparison pages.
MDCollections + Obsidian vs plain Obsidian Bases
Best for people who want to keep Obsidian in the workflow, but add a purpose-built collection app for capture, images, and physical-item organization.
Read comparison →MDCollections + Obsidian vs plain Obsidian notes and Dataview
Best for people currently stitching together templates, frontmatter, and queries by hand for item catalogs and want a faster companion workflow.
Read comparison →vs Notion databases
Best for people deciding between a plain-text local collection workflow and a more collaborative cloud-first database.
Read comparison →MDCollections + Obsidian vs spreadsheets
Best for people who started with rows and columns but need item-level notes, images, scans, and physical storage tracking.
Read comparison →MDCollections + Obsidian vs Airtable
Best for people comparing a local Markdown workflow with a more polished cloud database and app-building platform.
Read comparison →MDCollections + Obsidian vs home inventory apps
Best for people choosing between a general household inventory tool and a more flexible Markdown-based collection system.
Read comparison →Guides
Use the guides for collection setup, barcode mapping, storage locations, and the operational details that belong in documentation.
Common questions
Why not just build this in Obsidian?
You can, and for many people the best setup is actually Obsidian plus MDCollections. Obsidian stays great for notes, linking, and broader knowledge work, while MDCollections handles faster item capture, images, locations, and barcode workflows.
Is this a proprietary database?
No. The collection is made of normal Markdown files with YAML frontmatter, stored in folders you choose. There is no export step needed to get your data back.
Does it only work for one kind of collection?
No. MDCollections is designed around custom properties and templates, so a game collection, tool inventory, and storage-bin catalog can all use different fields and layouts.
What makes it better than a spreadsheet?
It is easier to attach images, scan barcodes, keep notes with each item, manage physical locations, and keep every item as a readable file instead of a row in a locked table.