Deleted sidebar tabs return after app reload

Bug graveyard
1

Steps to reproduce

  • Open obsidian app from fresh installation
  • Create new vault
  • Delete some of the tabs in the sidebar
  • Check workspace.json file to confirm the state
  • Close the app. Check workspace.json to confirm state
  • Open the app.

Did you read and follow the Troubleshooting Guide ? [Yes/No]

Yes

Expected result

On app open, workspace.json is not modified, sidebar tabs remain as they are left.

Actual result

workspace.json is modified to default on reload, tabs changed to default.

Environment

SYSTEM INFO:
Obsidian version: 1.13.7
Installer version: 1.13.7
Operating system: Darwin Kernel Version 25.5.0: Tue Jun 9 22:19:21 PDT 2026; root:xnu-12377.121.10~1/RELEASE_ARM64_T8122 25.5.0
Login status: logged in
Language: en
Catalyst license: insider
Insider build toggle: off
Live preview: on
Base theme: adapt to system
Community theme: none
Snippets enabled: 0
Restricted mode: on
RECOMMENDATIONS:
none

Additional information

2

If the sidebar tabs that you are closing are core plugins, there’s a FR here: