openidea/docs/command-line.md

Command-line launcher

Install the openidea command from OpenIDEA → Install 'openidea' Command on macOS, or Tools → Install 'openidea' Command on Windows and Linux. The same action is available in Find Action. Open a new terminal after installation.

• macOS: move OpenIDEA to Applications first. The command links to the launcher inside the app bundle. It uses ~/.local/bin when that directory is on PATH; otherwise it uses /usr/local/bin and may request an administrator password.
• Windows: installation creates openidea.cmd in %LOCALAPPDATA%\OpenIDEA\bin and adds that directory to the user PATH. This works with installed and portable copies, without administrator rights.
• Linux: installation creates ~/.local/bin/openidea. If another command takes precedence or this directory is absent from PATH, the notification asks you to put it at the beginning of your shell's PATH. For Bash and Zsh, add export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH" to your shell profile. For Fish, run fish_add_path --prepend ~/.local/bin. An AppImage launcher targets the original AppImage; keep that file in a permanent location.

openidea .
openidea src/main.rs README.md
openidea --line 12 --column 5 src/main.rs
openidea src/main.rs:12:5
openidea diff before.txt after.txt
openidea --help
openidea --version

Folders open as projects. Files open in their project's window, or in LightEdit when no project contains them. Lines and columns start at 1. With no paths, the command focuses OpenIDEA. It starts the app if necessary and returns after handing off the request. Unknown options and missing files exit with code 1.

Use -- before a filename beginning with -, or before a file named diff. The existing GUI executable and OS file associations still work.

Uninstall 'openidea' Command removes only OpenIDEA's launcher, and on Windows its dedicated user PATH entry. A command belonging to another application is never overwritten or removed. Reinstall the command after moving a portable copy or AppImage to a different location.