virtualbuddy://boot deep link doesn't boot when target VM's window is already open, it only focuses the window

[mattleiphamellis]

I've found that attempts to boot VMs with deep links are unsuccessful if the target VM window is already open in VirtualBuddy. I only started using VirtualBuddy's deep links extensively in June, so I can't confirm whether this behavior is unique to VirtualBuddy beta 2.2 builds and/or macOS 27 hosts, but this pattern has been consistent throughout my summer testing.

Steps to Reproduce

Prerequisites:

• Safari authorized in VirtualBuddy > Settings > Automation
• Target VM in VirtualBuddy, shut down/window closed. GoldenGateBeta7-base is my example

1. In Safari, enter virtualbuddy://boot?name=GoldenGateBeta7-base in the address bar, press Return, and allow Safari to open VirtualBuddy
2. Observe that GoldenGateBeta7-base VM window opens and boots as expected
3. Shut down VM, either manually or via ssh command, leaving GoldenGateBeta7-base window open in VirtualBuddy
4. In Safari, enter virtualbuddy://boot?name=GoldenGateBeta7-base in the address bar, press Return, and allow Safari to open VirtualBuddy
5. Observe that GoldenGateBeta7-base VM window is foregrounded but does not boot

5/5 attempts with the window open failed to boot; with it closed, all attempts succeeded with 3-8s boots.

In practice I'm using automation (osascript -e 'open location "virtualbuddy://boot?name=<target VM name>"' -e 'delay 3'), but reproduced using the exact steps provided above before submitting. Disclosure: Claude Code helped me review VirtualBuddy's source to confirm I wasn't missing any boot arguments.

Environment

VirtualBuddy 2.2 beta (402)
Host: MacBook Pro 17,7 (M5 Max, 64 GB) running Golden Gate 27.0 beta 7 (26A5421a)
Guest: Golden Gate 27.0 beta 7 (26A5421a)
Source IPSW: UniversalMac_27.0_26A5421a_Restore.ipsw

[insidegui]

Fixed in #756

Will ship in VirtualBuddy 2.2

[mattleiphamellis]

Thank you, @insidegui! Long-time listener, first-time caller here 😄

[mattleiphamellis]

@insidegui I built main to try it out about an hour after your merge, and the boot deep link now works with the target VM's window open, but only once per window.

Boot link works with target VM window open:

• window opened by hand from the library, VM never booted
• window remains open after VM was booted manually (Start button or ⌘R) then shut down

Boot link only focuses the open target VM window:

• window whose VM was previously booted by a boot deep link, then shut down

[insidegui]

Thank you for testing! Fixed in #758