I have this issue with the Calendar Sync plugin that can make the app unresponsive, even after restarting it, on my 16’’ M1 MBP.
Proposed solution
Hopefully the plugin dev will look at it, however there are measures Obsidian could take when this happens. If a plugin makes the app lag really hard like that, perhaps suspend or kill the plugin process (if that’s possible) and then show a message whether to resume or restart that plugin.
If Obsidian crashes or force quit, regardless of if a plugin made it lag, it can show a message on modal before loading plugins asking if you want safe mode enable after the app crashed. If the message appears too often, there can be a checkbox saying “don’t show this again” and a setting somewhere in settings to re-enable it.
Current workaround (optional)
I can navigate to the plugins folder on Finder and move or delete the plugin folder.
I was going to create a new FR, but found this one and it seems similar to what I was going to post.
Use case or problem
Sometimes a plugin prevents Obsidian from opening properly. e.g. Obsidian hangs on the loading screen, an all white/gray/black screen, etc. Because of this, the user can’t get to the Settings screen to enable Restricted mode or to turn off individual plugins.
Proposed solution
Have an option for a “safe startup”, “restricted launch”, “restricted startup”, etc., that starts Obsidian with all community plugins disabled or in Restricted mode.
Some mac apps use a modifier key when launching to enter a “safe mode”, choose a different library folder, etc.
I don’t know if this is possible with a desktop Electron app or even if it’s possible with a mobile app.
Current workaround (optional)
With Obsidian / the troublesome vault closed, move or rename the {VAULT-NAME}/.obsidian/community-plugins.json file. This will keep all the community plugins, but they will be disabled when the vault is re-opened.
Renamed title. Was “Feature Request: offer to kill plugin process if it lags Obsidian, and offer to enable safe mode on startup if plugin crashes app”
Added new “Shake to debug” menu on iOS and Android. Shows a menu of quick actions to reset your vault. Useful for debugging plugins or themes that would otherwise leave your workspace unusable.
