BBEdit won't open last document on macOS

[Marc Hamilton]

I have the purchased version of BBEdit 16.02. 

macOS v.25.4 - (Latest version of macOS running on a MacBook Air.)

I have all the settings set to defaults (i.e., restore defaults). 

BBEdit will not reopen the last document I had open. It always opens a new text document. 

My work around is to go to the file manager and click on my Python file to have it open that document, or I can right-mouse the BBEdit icon and select the document I want to work on. 

Ideally (and the way BBEdit should function) is to open the BBEdit app and have it automatically reopen the last document I was working on. 

I contacted BBEdit and sent them a zip file containing my configuration and they have not responded back in about 10 days. 

Does anyone else have this issue or know a fix for this problem. 

I have tried opening both bash, html and txt files and it won't reopen these either so it isn't the file format that is the issue. 

- Marc

[Bruce Van Allen]

Besides using Restore Defaults, in your BBEdit settings, specifically Settings -> Application, is the checkbox set for:
__ Reopen documents that were open at last quit

Also, in the macOS System Settings, is this checked?
Desktop & Dock -> Windows -> Close windows when quitting an application

The latter might override BBEdit, because by the time BBEdit quits those open windows have been closed.

— Bruce

_bruce__van_allen__santa_cruz_ca_

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[Marc Hamilton]

Thanks Bruce, 

However, I have the Mac Setting to "Close windows when quitting an application" 'Off' and the BBEdit restore defaults selected.

I think it has something to do with how the .plist setting is being stored and possibly not being read by BBEdit. 

I originally installed version 15.5 of BBEdit... then installed a subsequent version of 16.0.  I had two versions installed. I then removed 16.0. I then purchased 16.0 and removed 15.5. It may have messed up the configuration.  I went into the Application Support settings and renamed the BBEdit configuration files folder to xBBEdit and reinstalled BBEdit 16.0.2 hoping to get a "fresh" install of the configuration files. I did,  but it made no difference. Functionality is the same, documents will not reopen on launch of BBEdit App.

It's sort of frustrating because it's a basic functionality that most apps have and being a programmer, I know this functionality isn't rocket science.

- Marc

Get Outlook for Mac

From: bbe...@googlegroups.com <bbe...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Bruce Van Allen <b...@cruzio.com>
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 10:13 AM
To: bbe...@googlegroups.com <bbe...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: BBEdit won't open last document on macOS

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bbedit/96AD232C-56AB-4F9E-B778-421010543420%40cruzio.com.

[Bruce Van Allen]

I hear your frustration.

If it's any reassurance, it has always worked over here, including with the latest BBEdit & macOS. I switch the BBEdit setting on and off regularly depending on how many projects I'm working on.

Just checking because I don't want to restore defaults in my settings to find out: Is BBEdit's Settings -> Application

__ Reopen documents that were open at last quit

checked by default?

Sounds like the problem stems from your install adventures. There are utilities that help fully uninstall apps. I use one called CCleaner, and its free version has been helpful. No affiliation.

HTH,

— Bruce

_bruce__van_allen__santa_cruz_ca_

[Marc Hamilton]

I now know what the issue is.  It's wrapped up in a user error.

BBEdit will reopen the document if you quit BBEdit and don't close the document first.

My normal workflow was to close the document and leave BBEdit "Open". When I relaunched BBEdit, it would open a new text document. Because when I closed the original document, it "perceived" I did not want to reopen it again. 

How did I discover this? 'AI' clued me in (#3) - The lightbulb engaged... 

1. Open BBEdit
2. Open a saved file
3. Quit BBEdit without closing the window
4. Relaunch BBEdit by clicking the app icon in Applications

- Consider this issue resolved

• Marc

Get Outlook for Mac

From: Marc Hamilton <m371...@gmail.com>
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 10:35 AM