Created attachment 266120 [details]
Screenshot of "too many open files" error

After working with a large number of files one-at-a-time (opening one w/ drag and drop, manipulate it, export it, close it, repeat), at some point GIMP begins to display the error "too many open files" when attempting any operation involving the filesystem or pipes (i.e. using plugins, browsing a folder with a file dialog, opening or saving a specific file with a file dialog, etc.). As this can hinder one's ability to save open documents, it can effectively lead to data loss.

Closing the GIMP application completely and reopening it temporarily resolves the issue.

This issue is reproducible on my device, a 2008 MacBook running Mac OS X Mavericks 10.9.1.

A screenshot of one instance of this error is attached.

lsof reveals that a large number of directories remain opened by GIMP, even after the files in those directories are closed in the GUI. Example output of lsof is attached.