Relay is a collaborative editing plugin for Obsidian by System3 that enables real-time multiplayer functionality using Conflict-free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs) technology.
Overview
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | System3 |
| Technology | CRDTs (Conflict-free Replicated Data Types) |
| Collaboration Type | Real-time & Asynchronous |
| Pricing | Paid (subscription) |
| Installation | Obsidian Community Plugins |
Core Technology
Relay’s foundation uses CRDTs which enable conflict-free collaboration at the keystroke level rather than the file level. The system operates through three steps:
- Tracks updates to designated folders within your vault using CRDT technology
- Relays updates to Relay servers which distribute them to all collaborators
- Integrates updates seamlessly as they arrive
Key Features
Collaboration Modes
- Real-time mode: Edit the same paragraph, sentence, or word simultaneously with live cursors visible
- Asynchronous mode: Work offline and edits merge smoothly when reconnecting
Core Capabilities
- Selective folder sharing - Share specific folders while keeping the rest private
- Live cursor functionality - See where collaborators are positioned in documents
- Offline-first design - Continue editing when disconnected, auto-sync on reconnect
- Atomic operations - Changes cannot conflict, updates just work
Use Cases
- Shared team projects - Multiple people working on notes simultaneously
- Work laptop bridge - Maintain separate personal and work vaults with selective sharing
- Power team setup - Temporary project bridges or multi-team knowledge networks
Roadmap Features
- Granular read/write controls at folder level
- Canvas plugin collaboration
- Continuous background sync
- API access for automation and AI integration
- User avatars
- Real-time Excalidraw support
- Google Docs-style commenting
- Edit tracking
- Presence awareness with cursor following
- Mention notifications
Comparison to Alternatives
Unlike Obsidian Sync which provides basic file synchronization, Relay offers true real-time multiplayer collaboration (similar to Google Docs within your vault).