[Bug]: Type error: "list" argument must be an array of buffers

[jaapnoordzij]

Describe the bug

Earlier I have set up my vault with git using the terminal / VSC. Git is working properly, I can commit, push and pull.
Now I have installed this plugin and I was under the impression that with some minimal settings I could continue to work. However after enabling the plugin it throws an error whenever I try to run any git: command.

Type error: "list" argument must be an array of buffers

Please can you help me, I am not a programmer, sorry.
Cheers Jaap

Relevant errors (if available) from notifications or console (CTRL+SHIFT+I)

plugin:obsidian-git:400 br: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)

Steps to reproduce

Occurs at any git: command after Cmd-P

The error can also be invoked by setting the switch "Disable on this device" OFF and than ON

I have also made a clean copy of my vault (8500 notes + 2000 attachments) on Linux, NO git repo, installed the plugin and then I have the same error.

So is this maybe a vault size problem ?

Expected Behavior

No response

Addition context

Occurs immediately after installation of the plugin.
My git server is on the local network.
My vault contains about 10500 notes + attachments (700 Mb in total)

Operating system

macOS and Linux (RPI Lite / Debian)

Installation Method

None

Plugin version

latest

[Vinzent03]

I'm sorry, but I cannot find the exact location where this happens with this limited stacktrace. May you share a screenshot of the error in the console? Can you click on it to hopefully see more context?

[jaapnoordzij]

When I click the errors in the console I do not see much more information. Does this help you ?

[Vinzent03]

Thanks for the screenshot, but sadly I still don't get where this is coming from. I think it is from the library that interacts with the git cli, but I don't know why it is failing. Do you have the same issue in a brand vault with a git repo without any files?

[jaapnoordzij]

I have tested your plugin in a new vault with a few files first. Works very well.

I have been using git with my 10.000+ vault for some time now without any problems. I use the terminal and VSC to handle git. I have been satisfied with my workflow.

The main advantage of your plugin for me would be that I can see the current branch in the corner below. This prevents me hopefully to start in the wrong branch and make corrections later (happens now and then ;-)

I will keep using my existing workflow with git handled separately in VSC.

[BjornFJohansson]

I have this same exact problem. if it is of any use, my last backup was

commit 50307f26f7fc8aa4a514f960aac60f5d396d1f0b
Author: BjornFJohansson <bjornjobb@gmail.com>
Date:   Sun Jan 18 14:48:39 2026 +0000

    vault backup: 2026-01-18 14:48:39
    
    Affected files:
    public/pTAx/image.png

Obsidian Developer Console
plugin:table-editor-obsidian:183 loading markdown-table-editor plugin
plugin:dataview:20478 Dataview: version 0.5.68 (requires obsidian 0.13.11)
plugin:find-unlinked-files:488 loading Find orphaned files and broken links plugin
plugin:obsidian-tasks-plugin:185 Language in Obsidian settings: 'en'; requesting Tasks in 'en'.
plugin:obsidian-tasks-plugin:231 [2026-02-01-08:56:09.884][info][tasks] Loading plugin: Tasks v7.22.0 
plugin:obsidian-pandoc:10084 Loading Pandoc plugin
plugin:obsidian-git:399 loading Git plugin: v2.36.1
plugin:obsidian-link-converter:1 Link Converter Loading...
plugin:dataview:13006 Dataview: all 8084 files have been indexed in 3.409s (8084 cached, 0 skipped).
plugin:obsidian-git:411 obsidian-git: Error: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
displayError @ plugin:obsidian-git:411
plugin:obsidian-git:400 br: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
init @ plugin:obsidian-git:400
plugin:dataview:13010 Dataview: Dropped cache entries for 11 deleted files.
app.js:1 Received URL action Object
plugin:obsidian-git:411 obsidian-git: Error: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
displayError @ plugin:obsidian-git:411
plugin:obsidian-git:400 br: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
init @ plugin:obsidian-git:400
plugin:obsidian-git:411 obsidian-git: Error: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
displayError @ plugin:obsidian-git:411
plugin:obsidian-git:400 br: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
init @ plugin:obsidian-git:400
plugin:obsidian-git:411 obsidian-git: Error: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
displayError @ plugin:obsidian-git:411
plugin:obsidian-git:400 br: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
init @ plugin:obsidian-git:400
plugin:obsidian-git:411 obsidian-git: Error: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
displayError @ plugin:obsidian-git:411
plugin:obsidian-git:400 br: TypeError: "list" argument must be an Array of Buffers
    at ww.onFatalException (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6167)
    at ww.attemptTask (plugin:obsidian-git:149:6058)
init @ plugin:obsidian-git:400

[BjornFJohansson]

This problem persists. My vault has submodules, but I have "Update submodules" turned off (I have never turned it on).

[BjornFJohansson]

[BjornFJohansson]

Perhaps related? #998 #963