Desktop CLI troubleshooting

OS-specific

Common checks

1. In Settings -> General, verify both app and installer values are 1.12.7 or later.
2. If either is older, run the latest installer. Automatic app update does not update the installer.
3. Toggle Command line interface off and on, complete registration, then restart the terminal.
4. Confirm the registered command resolves on PATH.
5. Run obsidian version. The first command launches desktop Obsidian if needed.

Windows

The 1.12.7+ installer places Obsidian.com beside Obsidian.exe. Registration adds that folder to the user PATH. Restart the terminal after registration and inspect command resolution with:

where obsidian
obsidian version

macOS

Registration creates /usr/local/bin/obsidian pointing to the bundled CLI binary and may request administrator approval through a system dialog.

ls -l /usr/local/bin/obsidian

If registration did not create it, the official troubleshooting path is:

sudo ln -sf /Applications/Obsidian.app/Contents/MacOS/obsidian-cli /usr/local/bin/obsidian

Linux

Registration copies the CLI binary to ~/.local/bin/obsidian. Ensure that directory is on PATH:

export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/.local/bin"
ls -l ~/.local/bin/obsidian

If the binary is missing, follow the official installation-specific copy procedure and set executable permission.

Wrong vault

Use the official selector order: obsidian vault=<name-or-id> <command>. Verify the current working directory and target before every write. If an observed platform/version behaves differently, stop the write and capture a dated reproduction receipt; do not restate a local observation as universal behavior.

Malformed IPC or unexpected UI errors

Stop the caller and do not retry an unchanged malformed command. Preserve a dated, version-bound reproduction without secrets. Re-check quoting, key=value syntax, vault-before-command order, and the enumerated command contract before a single controlled retry.

Source

First-party sources retrieved 2026-08-29 EDT: Obsidian CLI and Updates. Local anomalies require their own dated reproduction receipt.