Install the desktop Obsidian CLI

App and installer 1.12.7+

The obsidian command controls desktop Obsidian. Headless servers use the separate ob install path.

1. Verify both versions

Open Settings -> General and confirm that both displayed values are 1.12.7 or later:

• App version
• Installer version

Automatic app updates do not update the installer. If the installer is older, download and run the latest installer before enabling the CLI.

2. Register the CLI

1. In Settings -> General, enable Command line interface.
2. Complete the platform registration prompt.
3. Restart the terminal so PATH changes take effect.

3. Verify registration

obsidian version
obsidian help

The CLI requires desktop Obsidian. If the app is not already running, the first command launches it.

4. Platform registration

• Windows: the 1.12.7+ installer places the Obsidian.com terminal redirector beside Obsidian.exe; registration adds that folder to the user PATH.
• macOS: registration creates /usr/local/bin/obsidian pointing to the bundled CLI binary and may request administrator approval through a system dialog.
• Linux: registration copies the CLI binary to ~/.local/bin/obsidian; ensure ~/.local/bin is on PATH.

Do not continue to an execution runbook until both version values and command resolution pass.

Source

First-party sources retrieved 2026-08-29 EDT: Obsidian CLI and Updates. See Sources.

Next

• Desktop CLI or Headless?
• Getting started
• Troubleshooting