Add configurable CSV delimiter feature to Obsidian plugin

docs/DELIMITER-FEATURE-UPDATE.md

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+# Add Configurable CSV Delimiter Feature to Obsidian Plugin
+
+## Context
+
+The C# console application (markdown-task-export) has been updated with a configurable CSV delimiter feature. This allows users to choose between comma (`,`) and semicolon (`;`) delimiters.
+
+**Reference Implementation**: [markdown-task-export](https://github.com/tailormade-eu/markdown-task-export)
+
+## Changes in C# Version (Iteration 1)
+
+### 1. ExportOptions.cs
+Added `Delimiter` property:
+```csharp
+public char Delimiter { get; set; } = ',';
+```
+
+### 2. CsvExporter.cs
+- Added constructor parameter to accept delimiter
+- Updated all hardcoded commas to use `_delimiter` field
+- Updated `EscapeField()` method to check for the configured delimiter
+
+```csharp
+public CsvExporter(char delimiter = ',')
+{
+    _delimiter = delimiter;
+}
+
+private string EscapeField(string field)
+{
+    bool needsQuotes = field.Contains(_delimiter) || field.Contains('"') || ...
+    // Rest of escaping logic
+}
+```
+
+### 3. Program.cs
+Added command-line argument:
+```bash
+-d, --delimiter <value>  CSV delimiter: 'comma' or 'semicolon' (default: comma)
+```
+
+Accepts: `comma`, `,`, `semicolon`, or `;`
+
+### 4. Usage Examples
+```bash
+# Use semicolon delimiter (useful for Excel in Europe)
+dotnet run -- -i "./Customers" --delimiter semicolon
+
+# Short form
+dotnet run -- -i "./Customers" -d ";"
+
+# Default comma
+dotnet run -- -i "./Customers"
+```
+
+## Required Changes for Obsidian Plugin (Iteration 2)
+
+### 1. Update TaskExportSettings Interface
+
+Add delimiter setting:
+
+```typescript
+interface TaskExportSettings {
+    outputPath: string;
+    customersFolder: string;
+    autoExport: boolean;
+    exportOnSave: boolean;
+    exportOnModify: boolean;
+    showNotifications: boolean;
+    compressLevels: boolean;
+    includeHeader: boolean;
+    debounceDelay: number;
+    delimiter: ',' | ';';           // NEW: CSV delimiter
+}
+```
+
+Default value should be `','` (comma).
+
+### 2. Update Settings UI
+
+Add a dropdown/toggle in the settings panel:
+
+```typescript
+new Setting(containerEl)
+    .setName('CSV Delimiter')
+    .setDesc('Choose delimiter for CSV output. Comma is standard, semicolon is common in Europe.')
+    .addDropdown(dropdown => dropdown
+        .addOption(',', 'Comma (,)')
+        .addOption(';', 'Semicolon (;)')
+        .setValue(this.plugin.settings.delimiter)
+        .onChange(async (value) => {
+            this.plugin.settings.delimiter = value as ',' | ';';
+            await this.plugin.saveSettings();
+        }));
+```
+
+### 3. Update CSV Writer/Exporter
+
+Update the CSV generation logic to use the configured delimiter:
+
+```typescript
+class CsvWriter {
+    private delimiter: string;
+
+    constructor(delimiter: ',' | ';' = ',') {
+        this.delimiter = delimiter;
+    }
+
+    private escapeField(field: string): string {
+        if (!field) return '';
+
+        // Check if escaping is needed
+        const needsQuotes = field.includes(this.delimiter) || 
+                           field.includes('"') || 
+                           field.includes('\n') || 
+                           field.includes('\r');
+
+        if (needsQuotes) {
+            // Double any existing quotes
+            field = field.replace(/"/g, '""');
+            // Wrap in quotes
+            return `"${field}"`;
+        }
+
+        return field;
+    }
+
+    generateCsv(tasks: TaskItem[], includeHeader: boolean): string {
+        const lines: string[] = [];
+        
+        // Build header
+        if (includeHeader) {
+            const headerParts = ['CustomerName', 'ProjectName', ...levelHeaders, 'Task'];
+            lines.push(headerParts.join(this.delimiter));
+        }
+
+        // Build data rows
+        for (const task of tasks) {
+            const parts = [
+                this.escapeField(task.customerName),
+                this.escapeField(task.projectName),
+                ...task.levels.map(l => this.escapeField(l)),
+                this.escapeField(task.task)
+            ];
+            lines.push(parts.join(this.delimiter));
+        }
+
+        return lines.join('\n');
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### 4. Update Export Logic
+
+Pass the delimiter setting to the CSV writer:
+
+```typescript
+async exportTasks() {
+    const tasks = await this.extractTasks();
+    
+    const writer = new CsvWriter(this.settings.delimiter);
+    const csv = writer.generateCsv(
+        tasks, 
+        this.settings.includeHeader
+    );
+    
+    await this.app.vault.adapter.write(
+        this.settings.outputPath, 
+        csv
+    );
+}
+```
+
+### 5. Update Status Bar/Notifications
+
+Optionally show which delimiter was used:
+
+```typescript
+new Notice(`Exported ${taskCount} tasks (${delimiterName})`);
+```
+
+Where `delimiterName` is:
+- `','` → `"comma-separated"`
+- `';'` → `"semicolon-separated"`
+
+## Why This Feature?
+
+**Regional Differences:**
+- **USA, UK**: Comma is standard CSV delimiter
+- **Europe** (Germany, France, etc.): Semicolon is standard because comma is used as decimal separator (1,234.56 → 1.234,56)
+- **Excel Behavior**: Excel auto-detects delimiter based on system locale
+
+**Use Cases:**
+1. European users need semicolon for Excel to open CSV correctly
+2. Data contains many commas (descriptions, addresses) → semicolon avoids escaping
+3. Compatibility with time tracking systems expecting specific delimiter
+
+## Testing Requirements
+
+Test both delimiters:
+
+```typescript
+// Test cases
+const testData = [
+    { task: 'Simple task', expected: 'Simple task' },
+    { task: 'Task, with comma', expected: '"Task, with comma"' }, // comma mode
+    { task: 'Task; with semicolon', expected: '"Task; with semicolon"' }, // semicolon mode
+    { task: 'Task with "quotes"', expected: '"Task with ""quotes"""' }, // both modes
+];
+```
+
+Verify:
+- ✅ Comma delimiter (default) works
+- ✅ Semicolon delimiter works
+- ✅ Field escaping respects the chosen delimiter
+- ✅ Setting persists across Obsidian restarts
+- ✅ Excel opens files correctly with both delimiters
+
+## Implementation Priority
+
+**Priority Level**: Medium
+- Not blocking for MVP
+- Adds significant value for European users
+- Simple to implement (mirrors C# version)
+- Should be included in v1.0.0 release
+
+## Documentation Updates
+
+Update README.md to mention delimiter option in settings:
+
+```markdown
+### Settings
+
+| Setting | Description | Default |
+|---------|-------------|---------|
+| **CSV Delimiter** | Choose comma or semicolon delimiter | Comma |
+```
+
+Add usage note:
+```markdown
+**Note for European Users**: If Excel doesn't open the CSV correctly, try changing the delimiter to semicolon in settings.
+```
+
+## Summary
+
+Port the delimiter feature from C# version to Obsidian plugin by:
+1. Add `delimiter: ',' | ';'` to settings (default: `','`)
+2. Add dropdown in settings UI
+3. Update CSV writer to use configurable delimiter
+4. Update field escaping to check for the configured delimiter
+5. Test with both delimiters
+6. Document in README
+
+This maintains feature parity between Iteration 1 (C# console app) and Iteration 2 (Obsidian plugin).