Build a Personal AI Knowledge Base with Claude Code, Obsidian, and DeepSeek V4

Step 1: Install Obsidian

Download the installer for macOS or Windows from the official website, run the package, and launch the local Markdown note‑taking app. All files are stored locally, ensuring data security. The tutorial will later use the Claudian plugin.

Step 2: Install the Claudian Plugin

Open Obsidian Settings → Third‑party plugins and turn off safe mode. Open the Community Plugins market, search for BRAT , install and enable it because Claudian is not in the official market.

Return to BRAT settings, click “Add beta plugin”, paste the Claudian repository URL, and enable the plugin in the Third‑party plugins list.

Step 3: Install Claude Code and Configure DeepSeek V4

First install Node.js ( brew install node on macOS or download the installer on Windows). Then install Claude Code with a single npm command (the tutorial notes that a domestic npm mirror works).

Download the CC Switch desktop tool from GitHub, install the appropriate package (dmg for macOS, msi for Windows), and launch it. Create a new configuration, select DeepSeek as the provider, paste the API Key obtained from the DeepSeek Open Platform, and save.

Add two models:

deepseek‑v4‑pro (primary model)

deepseek‑v4‑flash (lightweight tasks and sub‑agents)

Enter the exact names as shown in the screenshots, then start the configuration.

Step 4: Set the Claude Path and Start Using

In a terminal run where claude to obtain the executable path, then paste this path into the Claudian settings.

Click the Claudian icon in Obsidian to open a chat window with the AI.

Actual Experience

The AI can organise knowledge‑base content, answer questions, and perform cross‑file retrieval and summarisation. It searches local markdown files for relevant information instead of hallucinating, delivering much stronger results than plain text search.

The whole solution—Obsidian for data storage, Claudian for AI integration, and DeepSeek V4 for cost‑effective large‑language‑model access—works well for note‑taking, project documentation, and content creation while keeping data local and secure.