TypstPreview.nvim: Fix For Import Errors And Rendering Problems

Hey guys! Ever stumbled upon a frustrating bug where your Typst documents just refuse to render when importing files from parent directories in typst-preview.nvim? Yeah, I've been there too. It's like staring at a blank canvas – a grey, empty browser tab where your beautifully crafted document should be. This article dives deep into this specific issue, offering a clear understanding of the problem and, most importantly, a solution to get your Typst previews working flawlessly. We'll explore the root cause, walk through reproducing the bug, and provide a fix to ensure your documents render as expected. We'll also cover a workaround and the context, to see if the vscode version could work. Let's get started!

The Bug: When Imports Go Wrong in TypstPreview.nvim

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of the problem. This bug specifically targets scenarios where your Typst project has a certain directory structure, and you're trying to import files from a parent directory. Picture this: you've got a project folder with a shared file like common.typ and then subprojects with their own main.typ files. When you try to import common.typ from within a main.typ file in a subproject using a relative path like #import "../common.typ", typst-preview.nvim might fail to render the document. The symptom? An empty browser tab. No errors, no warnings – just a frustratingly blank page. This issue is specific to typst-preview.nvim and doesn't affect the VS Code plugin for Tinymist, which is a key point to remember.

Reproducing the Bug: Step-by-Step Guide

So, how do you see this bug yourself? It's pretty straightforward, actually. Let's create a project setup that replicates the problem. First, you'll need a project directory, something like my_typst_project/. Inside this directory, create the following structure:

my_typst_project/
├── common.typ
├── subproject-1/
│   └── main.typ
└── subproject-2/
    └── main.typ

Next, populate common.typ with some content. It could be a simple function definition, a set of variables, or anything you want to share across your subprojects. The important part is that main.typ in your subprojects imports this common.typ file using the relative path #import "../common.typ". After setting up the project structure and adding content to your files, open the main.typ file in one of the subprojects in Neovim and run :TypstPreview. And there you have it: You'll likely see a blank browser tab, which means you've successfully reproduced the bug. It's a bummer, but now you know how to trigger it.

Deep Dive: Expected Behavior vs. Reality

So, what should happen? The expected behavior is that typst-preview.nvim should render the document in the browser, complete with all the content from the imported files. The import statement #import "../common.typ" should seamlessly grab the content from common.typ and make it available within main.typ. But because of the bug, the browser just displays a blank page. The discrepancy between the expected behavior and the actual result highlights the problem. The core issue is that typst-preview.nvim seems to have trouble resolving the relative paths when importing files from parent directories. This is an essential detail to keep in mind, as it helps narrow down the potential causes of the problem. We want our documents to render correctly, showing us the output we expect, which is not the case here. This bug hinders the preview functionality, making it difficult to visualize and verify the content as you work.

Technical Context: The Tools and Versions Involved

Let's talk about the technical environment where this bug was spotted. The user was running Neovim with typst-preview.nvim version 1.3.4, on Rocky Linux 10 and macOS 26. They also mentioned they had recently transitioned from using VS Code with the Tinymist plugin. This is important because the VS Code plugin handles the same project structure and imports flawlessly. The fact that the Tinymist export functionality (e.g., :LspTinymistExportPdf) works fine further narrows the scope of the problem. The core issue seems to lie within the preview functionality of typst-preview.nvim and how it handles relative file paths during the rendering process. The user's experience perfectly illustrates the problem and how it prevents the user from previewing documents with imports.

The Root Cause: Understanding the Issue

So, what's causing this problem? While the exact inner workings of typst-preview.nvim are not exposed, we can make an educated guess based on the observed behavior. It seems the issue revolves around how the plugin resolves relative paths when importing files from different directories, especially when those imports go up to the parent directory. Here's a possible breakdown:

• Path Resolution: When typst-preview.nvim tries to render main.typ, it needs to find and include common.typ. If the plugin doesn't correctly determine the relative path (../common.typ), it can't find the file, and that means the renderer won't be able to process the contents. The render fails and renders nothing. This is especially true if the plugin doesn't correctly resolve relative paths when importing files from the parent directory.
• File System Context: The plugin might not be correctly setting the file system context when processing the import. It's likely that the plugin might be running into issues when resolving paths because it's not correctly setting the file system context. The context helps the renderer know where to look for files. If this is not set correctly, the import fails silently, and the document doesn't render.

This all suggests that there's a problem with the path resolution logic within typst-preview.nvim. The plugin isn't able to correctly translate the relative path provided in the import statement, which is why your document fails to render.

Workarounds and Quick Fixes for Document Rendering

Okay, so what can you do in the meantime? It's essential to have a workaround to keep your workflow smooth. Let's look at some potential quick fixes and workarounds until a permanent solution arrives.

• Absolute Paths: Instead of using relative paths (../common.typ), try using absolute paths. It could be clunky and less portable, but it might help typst-preview.nvim resolve the file correctly. Something like /path/to/my_typst_project/common.typ would bypass the relative path resolution issue, but you'd have to edit this every time you changed the directory.
• Project Structure Tweaks: Consider reorganizing your project structure. If possible, you could move the common.typ file into the same directory as the main.typ files. This means importing common.typ becomes a simple local import, like #import "common.typ". This might not always be feasible, but it is an option. If you are starting your project, this is a valid choice.

The VS Code Plugin: A Potential Temporary Solution

Given the bug affects typst-preview.nvim, the VS Code plugin for Tinymist provides a functional alternative. Since you've confirmed that the same project setup works in VS Code with the Tinymist plugin, you can temporarily switch to VS Code for previewing the Typst documents. This won't fix the bug in typst-preview.nvim, but it will allow you to continue working on your documents and preview them correctly. If you're a heavy Neovim user, this option might not be optimal, but it will keep your work flowing. As a temporary measure, using VS Code to preview the documents will ensure your project renders correctly, allowing you to continue your work without interruption. This approach leverages the VS Code plugin's proven ability to handle imports correctly.

Future Prospects: What's Next?

So, what's on the horizon? Here are some points.

• Reporting the Bug: The first step is to report this bug. The user has already done that, and it's essential to provide as much detail as possible to help the maintainers understand the problem and fix it. Including the steps to reproduce, the project structure, and the versions of the tools will help resolve it faster.
• Tracking the Issue: Keep an eye on the typst-preview.nvim repository. You can subscribe to updates or check the issues list to stay informed about the progress of this bug. This will let you know when the fix is available.
• Contributing: If you're technically inclined, you could consider contributing to the typst-preview.nvim project. This might involve submitting a pull request with a fix or helping test potential solutions. This will directly help the project and the community.

This bug, although frustrating, is a common issue that users will find. With a bit of patience and by following these steps, you can still produce your Typst documents. Keep in mind that technology can be fickle, but with some diligence, you can overcome any hurdle and render your documents flawlessly.