How to open desktop Obsidian maximized in Linux?

Help
1

What I’m trying to do

I’m brand new to Obsidian, and am using version 1.12.4 on Linux Mint. I want the program to open maximized every time on my computer, which it does not do.

Things I have tried

Of course I manually maximize the application every time I open it. But when I close it and open it next time, it only opens in a smaller window again. Is there a solution to this?

2

I’m running the flatpak version on Debian (KDE Plasma). I tried changing Obsidian .desktop file by adding --start-maximized without success:

Exec=... md.obsidian.Obsidian @@u %U @@ --start-maximized

Here’s what worked for me

obsidian - linux - maximized window
obsidian - linux - maximized window1071×589 105 KB

  1. Right-click on Obsidian’s window title bar
  2. Open Special Window Settings
  3. Add 2 properties: Maximized horizontally and Maximized vertically

Note: if you’re using Gnome or another Desktop Environment, you might find a similar solution.

3

That’s an interesting option in KDE Plasma. No such option exists in Cinnamon in Linux Mint when right-clicking on the window title bar. As a matter of fact I believe I have discovered a bug in Obsidian (.deb file) as a result of trying this. When I right-click on the window title bar the little box that has minimize, maximize, move, resize etc gets stuck on screen and cannot be interacted with unless one closes Obsidian.

4

Assuming this is the Flatpak version you are talking about, set the width and height property in (what I assume to be) a randomly numbered json file located at ~.var/app/md.obsidian.Obsidian/config/obsidian. Then set the file to read-only. Obsidian should always open with those settings from then on.

5

There is also a method utilising devilspie that maximises Obsidian after it opens.

6

Auto-Maximize for Obsidian (via CustomJS)

Fixes the issue where Linux window managers (like Cinnamon/Mint) forget the maximized state of the AppImage.

  1. The Script: Create a file named setMaximized.js with this code:

JavaScript

class classSetMaximized {
  async invoke() {
    setTimeout(() => {
      try {
        const electron = require('electron');
        const remote = require('@electron/remote') || electron.remote;
        if (remote) remote.getCurrentWindow().maximize();
      } catch (e) {
        console.error("Maximize failed", e);
      }
    }, 500);
  }
}
  1. CustomJS Setup:

  • Project Root: Set this to your script folder (e.g., Resources/Scripts). Important: Use the path starting from your Vault root; do not include the Vault name itself.

  • Click Reload Scripts.

  • Add startup script: Select classSetMaximized.

  • Restart Obsidian.

Note: You can use any custom folder for your scripts, just make sure the path in CustomJS settings matches your folder structure exactly.

7

On XFCE (Manjaro) and using a Launcher shortcut for Obsidian I replaced the default

/usr/bin/obsidian %U

with

sh -c '/usr/bin/obsidian & xdotool search --sync --onlyvisible --class obsidian key --delay 200 alt+F10'

This triggers the keyboard shortcut to maximize the window (default in XFCE is Alt+F10) shortly after starting the application. Seems to be working for me so far, YMMV!