Launch Mac Apps From Command Line

  

  1. Mac Command Line
  2. Mac Command Line List
  3. Launch Mac Apps From Command Line Windows 10
  4. Mac Command Line Basics
Recently I've been wanting a way to pass command-line arguments to GUI apps by default, in my case a -geometry parameter to Emacs.app to make it start up in something approximating full-screen mode. It turns out there's a very easy way to do this.
As many already know, what appear as applications on OS X are in fact directories, containing the actual executable in their Contents » MacOS subdirectory. To cause this executable to be run with specific arguments, simply rename the existing executable to something else (I've used something like appname-bin) and replace it with a shell script that exec`s the renamed binary with whatever arguments you please (followed by chmod 755 or similar to make the script executable). For example, my script for Emacs.app looks like this:
#!/bin/sh
exec /Applications/Emacs.app/Contents/MacOS/emacs-bin -geometry 177x47 $@

The $@ at the end may or may not really be necessary, but I put it in to be on the safe side -- the OS apparently passes a parameter starting with -psn that I'm guessing is the position at which to place the app's window (remembered from the last time it was run). Emacs doesn't recognize this parameter, but other apps probably do. And as I discovered after a bit of experimentation, you do need to use an absolute path to the binary. I've only tested this on Tiger, but I'd be surprised if it didn't also work on Leopard.
Launch Mac Apps From Command Line

Apr 07, 2017  Whenever you launch a new application on your Mac, Gatekeeper checks to see that it’s signed with a valid signature. If the application is signed with a valid signature, it’s allowed to run. If it’s not, you’ll see a warning message and your Mac will prevent the application from running. May 13, 2017  Installation & Upgrade PowerShell PackageManagement (OneGet) - Install Apps from Command Line in Tutorials If you are not familiar with package managers I recommend you read first the short Chocolatey package manager tutorial at our sister site Windows Eight Forums as an introduction to this tutorial: Chocolatey - Install Apps from Command Line. Recently I've been wanting a way to pass command-line arguments to GUI apps by default, in my case a -geometry parameter to Emacs.app to make it start up in something approximating full-screen mode. It turns out there's a very easy way to do this. Mar 04, 2019  Store Apps are MS's 'latest and greatest' take on application programming, primarily run from the Windows 10 start menu. So they MUST be easy to start. They are designed to be started from the start menu only. Even with a shortcut on the desktop you DO NOT have enough information to create the required command line.

Apple would prefer you to only download approved apps from the App Store, but that isn’t always possible. If you find a suitable app online that hasn’t been approved for installation, macOS will block it from launching. This security feature is well-intended, but you’ll need to bypass it to install some of your own third-party apps.

Thankfully, it’s a pretty easy process to run unverified apps on a Mac. Before we begin, remember that this security measure exists for a reason. Only consider installing apps from sources you trust, or you may put your Mac at risk, even with Mac antivirus software installed.

Allow Unverified Apps In System Preferences

When you first attempt to open an app from an unverified developer, Apple will block it, displaying an alert box instead. macOS will always prevent apps it doesn’t recognize from launching without your approval.

It’s also possible that your macOS security settings prevent any apps from being launched that aren’t from the App Store. This includes apps from verified developers that have been downloaded from the internet directly.

  • If you’re unable to launch an unverified app (or a verified app that isn’t from the App Store), you’ll need to head to System Preferences. You can access this from your Dock directly, or launch it from within Launchpad.
  • In System Preferences, click Security & Privacy > General, then click the Lock button to allow you to make changes to your settings. You’ll need to provide your password, or use Touch ID, to unlock this.
    If your app is from a verified developer but it isn’t from the App Store, under the category named Allow apps downloaded from, select App Store and identified developers.

Mac Command Line

  • The last app you attempted to open will be listed underneath your App Store security options. To launch the app (or rather, the DMG image file containing your app), click Open Anyway.

You’ll need to do this for each unverified app you launch, as Apple removed the option to automatically allow this in an earlier version of macOS. You’ll only need to do this for a particular app once, however.

If you’ve clicked Open Anyway, the DMG image file containing your unverified app will launch. Most DMG files contain your enclosed application file, as well as a shortcut to your Applications folder.

  • To install this unverified app, drag your app icon and drop it on the Applications shortcut in your Finder window. This will copy the app from your DMG image file to your macOS installation, allowing it to be accessed from Launchpad or from within the Applications folder in Finder.
  • Once installed, if you haven’t previously opened the app, macOS will warn you that you’re attempting to open an app from the internet. You’ll need to approve it for launch, so click the Open button to do this.

Open Unverified Apps Without Installation

Among the many things that Finder allows you to do it is the ability to view the contents of a DMG image file before you install an app. Rather than dragging your enclosed app to the (usually supplied) Applications shortcut, you can open the app straight from your DMG file instead without installing it.

  • To do that, open your DMG file. To do this, you can either double-click on the application icon, or right-click on the application file in your Finder window and click the Open button.
  • A warning about the unverified app will appear. This will inform you that you’re attempting to open an app from the internet. Click Open to allow it to launch. You can also select the Don’t warn me when opening applications on this disk image checkbox to allow all apps in your DMG file to launch without a warning.

Mac Command Line List

Your app will launch at this point. As it won’t be installed on your system, you’ll need to repeat this process to launch it again once you close it.

Launch Mac Apps From Command Line Windows 10

Using Homebrew To Run Unverified Apps on Mac

While Apple would prefer you to install apps through the App Store, you can bypass it completely with Homebrew. The benefit of using Homebrew to install macOS apps is that it bypasses the security mechanisms that Apple uses to “protect” you from unverified apps.

This is a double-edged sword, as while you’ll be able to install unverified apps, you’ll need to ensure that you only install apps and software that you trust.

Homebrew acts as a package manager in the same way that APT does on Linux does. It allows you to install apps using the macOS terminal, either individually, or using it to create a bulk installer to install multiple apps at once.

This might be useful to install multiple apps to new macOS devices, for instance.

  • To install Homebrew, start by opening up a macOS Terminal app window. You can find the Terminal app in the Launchpad > Other folder, or by searching for Terminal in Spotlight, which you can access by clicking the search icon in the top menu bar.
  • To install Homebrew, type /usr/bin/ruby -e “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)” in your Terminal window, then click enter twice. This will deploy the automated installation script created by the Homebrew developers.
  • The installation process for Homebrew should complete automatically. The Terminal window will update with the message Installation successful upon completion.
    Once Homebrew is installed, you can then search for potential Homebrew apps by typing brew search appname, replacing appname with a partial or full app name. You can also search for these on the Homebrew website.
  • Once you’ve located a suitable installation package for an app, you can type brew cask install appname, replacing appname with the app. For instance, to install Firefox, typing brew cask install firefox would download and install the relevant package for Firefox.

Mac Command Line Basics

Once the installation process has completed, your app will be available to launch from the Launchpad, or from the Applications folder in Finder, alongside your other Mac apps.