openChrome.applescript causes "Arc got an error: Can’t get every window"

[smallsaucepan]

Have you read the Contributing Guidelines on issues?

• [x] I have read the Contributing Guidelines on issues.

Prerequisites

• [x] I'm using the latest version of Docusaurus.
• [x] I have tried the npm run clear or yarn clear command.
• [x] I have tried rm -rf node_modules yarn.lock package-lock.json and re-installing packages.
• [ ] I have tried creating a repro with https://new.docusaurus.io.
• [x] I have read the console error message carefully (if applicable).

Description

When running npm start, seeing many of these errors on the command line as files are prepared:

Failed to open browser Arc with AppleScript Error: Command failed: osascript openChrome.applescript "http://localhost:3000/" "Arc"
openChrome.applescript:576:594: execution error: Arc got an error: Can’t get every window. (-1728)

The Arc web browser is a Chromium variation. It has some novel page organisation ideas, including workspaces and "Little Arc" windows.

A Little Arc window is a minimally chromed window that opens when a link is clicked externally e.g. from an email. The user can then choose which space to place the new window in using a drop down at the top right of the Little Arc window.

As shown a "Little Arc" window is opened and the dev site loads eventually, though the command line errors indicate something isn't working smoothly. There's some anecdotal evidence Arc may not support all applescript interactions like those used by openChrome.applescript when trying to locate an already open tab. count every window is the command pointed to by the error message (openChrome.applescript:576:594).

Have prepared a workaround that falls back to opening a link using whatever default the browser offers. Seems to work ok for me for Arc, Edge, Chrome and Safari on Mac, and functions without spurious error messages.

Alternatively, I could contribute an Arc specific fix that leans into Arc concepts specifically (spaces, etc). However, seeking some guidance first as to what would be the preference.

Reproducible demo

n/a? Problem is particular to the site generation runtime in my environment and not with any docusaurus produced content. No modifications are made to the site after it is freshly initialised below.

Steps to reproduce

Prerequisites: macOS with default browser set to Arc (https://arc.net/)

1. Create a new project with npm init docusaurus@latest
   • sitename: mysite
   • template: classic
   • language: typescript
2. cd mysite/
3. npm start
4. Observe command line errors during dev site preparation

Expected behavior

No command line errors when the test site is launched in the default browser. Dev site url opens in a new window, or refreshes an existing tab as with other browsers - don't mind personally.

Actual behavior

Page does open in a new window, though multiple errors are shown on the command line during preparation of the dev site.

Failed to open browser Arc with AppleScript Error: Command failed: osascript openChrome.applescript "http://localhost:3000/" "Arc"
openChrome.applescript:576:594: execution error: Arc got an error: Can’t get every window. (-1728)

    at genericNodeError (node:internal/errors:998:15)
    at wrappedFn (node:internal/errors:543:14)
    at ChildProcess.exithandler (node:child_process:417:12)
    at ChildProcess.emit (node:events:508:28)
    at maybeClose (node:internal/child_process:1085:16)
    at Socket.<anonymous> (node:internal/child_process:456:11)
    at Socket.emit (node:events:508:28)
    at Pipe.<anonymous> (node:net:346:12) {
  code: 1,
  killed: false,
  signal: null,
  cmd: 'osascript openChrome.applescript "http://localhost:3000/" "Arc"',
  stdout: '',
  stderr: 'openChrome.applescript:576:594: execution error: Arc got an error: Can’t get every window. (-1728)\n'
}

Your environment

• Public source code: n/a
• Public site URL: n/a
• Docusaurus version used: 3.9.2
• Environment name and version:
  • Arc: 142.0.7444.176 (Official Build) (x86_64)
  • node: 25.1.0
  • npm: 11.6.2
  • zsh: 5.9
• Operating system and version: macOS Sequoia, Version 15.7.2 (24G325)

Self-service

• [x] I'd be willing to fix this bug myself.

[slorber]

It's not possible to qualify this bug without knowing more about your env and the particular Docusaurus and Arc version you are using.

Please provide real repro steps so that a maintainer can reproduce the issue locally without any ambiguity.

Please assume I know nothing about Arc (I never used it and never installed it, and don't know what "Little Arc" means)

[smallsaucepan]

Of course. Apologies. Have updated with additional info. Can submit a PR once you've reproduced and are happy to advise a preferred approach.