Fixing Path Issues & Setup In Obsidian Custom File Viewer

by Rajiv Sharma 58 views

Hey guys! Having some issues with the Obsidian Custom File Viewer plugin on your Mac? Specifically, are you struggling to get it to open .txt files with specified applications like TextEdit instead of the system default? And are you seeing some weird behavior in the plugin settings, like extensions splitting into separate parts? Let's dive into these problems and see if we can sort them out.

Understanding Path Formatting on macOS

First off, let's talk paths. Path formatting is crucial when you're telling a program where to find a file. On macOS, paths typically start from the root directory (/) and drill down through the folders. So, a path like /System/Applications/TextEdit.app is perfectly valid and points directly to the TextEdit application.

When you're using the Obsidian Custom File Viewer, you need to make sure that the paths you're providing are accurate. A small typo or incorrect slash can throw the whole thing off. For example, if you're trying to open a .txt file with TextEdit, you need to ensure that the path to TextEdit is exactly right and that the plugin is correctly associating .txt files with this path. You also need to include the full path, starting from the root directory. Relative paths (like ./Applications/TextEdit.app) might not work as expected because the plugin might not resolve them correctly relative to Obsidian's working directory.

Moreover, spaces or special characters in your path can sometimes cause issues. While macOS can handle spaces in file and folder names, they need to be properly escaped in certain contexts. This usually means putting a backslash before the space (\ ) or enclosing the entire path in quotes. So, if you had a path like /Applications/My Text Editor.app, you might need to enter it as /Applications/My\ Text\ Editor.app or "/Applications/My Text Editor.app" in the plugin settings. Double-check your paths and ensure there are no typos or unescaped spaces. This is the first and most important step in troubleshooting path-related issues.

Addressing the macOS Strange Setup Behavior

Now, let's tackle the strange behavior you're seeing in the video. If you're adding an extension in the plugin settings and then, after navigating away and back, find that the extension is split into separate parts, that's definitely odd. This kind of behavior often points to a bug in the plugin's settings handling or data storage.

First, try updating the plugin to the latest version. Developers often release updates to fix bugs and improve stability. Go to your Obsidian settings, find the