CalendarSync

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What is it?

Calendar sync application that will:

• Copy Outlook calendar events to a local SQLite3 database
• Create markdown files for the events for use in note taking app Obsidian
  • Delete markdown files that are old and never had any notes taken
  • Allows for transient event notes, by keeping the ==DELETABLE== tag in the note I can set a reminder for the purpose of the event, and then remove ==DELETABLE== if any notes are worth keeping after the event
• Potential starting point for a custom built Calendarly

What is it not?

• This is not built as a product
  • It is a "living" system where I change the code based on my needs (e.g. changing date ranges or filters)
  • Think of it as a template
• This is NOT an example of Clean Code
  • Just a quick one-off that may evolve into something better in the future

Why did I create it?

• I put personal events in my work calendar, but I need to retain them in the case that my current work calendar is no longer available to me
  • I do not want to have to use multiple calendar systems for work/personal
• I use Obsidian for note taking throughout my day as a "2nd brain", and this allows me to stay productive in the context of meetings I have

How do I use it?

1. Setup Obsidian
   1. Add the Full Calendar community plugin
   2. In Obsidian I have structured my folders so that I have an Events/Personal and Events/Work (among others)
2. Setup the project:

   git clone https://github.com/craigstjean/ObsidianCalendarSync.git
   cd ObsidianCalendarSync
   dotnet restore
   dotnet ef database update
   

3. Configure the project:
   1. Create an application in your work's Azure portal (or create one in your personal portal and have your work whitelist the AppId)
   2. Copy appsettings.template.json to appsettings.json
   3. Set AppClientId and AppTenantId in appsettings.json
   4. Set ObsidianWorkPath and ObsidianPersonalPath in appsettings.json
4. Sync your calendar and generate your Obsidian markdown files
   1. Potentially change the startDateTime and endDateTime variables in Sync if you want a different date range
      1. Default is -30 days <=> +365 days
   2. Run the sync:

      dotnet run
      

Application Parameters

• Sync Calendar and Export to Obsidian

  dotnet run
  

• Sync Calendar ONLY

  dotnet run -- --sync
  

• Export the current database to Obsidian ONLY

  dotnet run -- --export
  

• Purge all Obsidian markdown files that still contain ==DELETABLE==

  dotnet run -- --purge
  

Questions

• Q: Why do I have to authenticate each time I run it?
  • A: Because storing access tokens that grant access to your work data is insecure
  • Extended A: Feel free to change the program to store your access tokens (depending on their TTL), or to use a different flow other than AcquireTokenInteractive into DelegateAuthenticationProvider

Links

• Obsidian
• Obsidian Full Calendar Plugin
• Microsoft Graph API
• Microsoft Azure Portal