macvim-dev / macvim-dev/macvim
Big Sur / Can't open windows from finder properly, but works on terminal
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Description
Describe the bug
When I open a .tex file on MacVim from the Finder's level (just by clicking on a file), I get an error:

On the other hand, when I open the file form terminal, ie. mvim <file_name> it opens properly and every plugin works, as on MacOS Catalina. This strange behaviour emerged when I updated MacOS.
To Reproduce
As written above:
- I open a file from Finder - error pops out and actually nothing works (just like it was disconnected from anything that is installed and configured by .vimrc)
- When I open a file from terminal using
mvimeverything works as it should.
Expected behavior
No such errors, consistency between opening from terminal and finder.
Environment (please complete the following information):
- Vim version: VIM - Vi IMproved 8.2
- MacVim version: MacVim 8.2.1719 (up to date)
- OS: macOS Big Sur
- Terminal: GUI, Terminal.app
Additional context
It emerged after system update from Catalina to BigSur.
I have MacVim installed from .dmg file.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by comparing MacVim's Finder launch path with the terminal mvim path, using the reported .vimrc loading difference and the MacVim 8.2 environment as the reproduction baseline. Confirm the behavior on macOS Big Sur, then trace the GUI launch entry point until the same configured behavior works from Finder without errors.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- macos, vim
- Domain
- desktop, operating-systems
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 35/100