Pass text input to Shell using automator.

Question

Level 1

8 points

Pass text input to Shell using automator.

Hello again Apple Community!

What I am trying to do is use automator to promt the user for information like a username and password and then pass that information through a shell command to create a generic keychain item.

What I have so far is an Automator "Ask for text" getting the username and the script I have so far is:

on run {input, parameters}

do shell script "security add-generic-password -a" & input & "-s servicename -w IAMZPASSWURD"

end run

But it will not take the input and include it in the shell script. Any ideas?

Posted on Jul 30, 2013 5:55 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,588 points

Jul 30, 2013 6:01 PM in response to richardsoper

Running a shell command is difficult in Applescript because of the differences in quotes, among other things.

input is likely a list and you need to use "item 1 of input"

You might try using the Run Shell Script action instead of Applescipt.

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Answer 2

richardsoper Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 30, 2013 6:56 PM in response to Barney-15E

I tried the item 1 of input and input as string. No luck. Havent tried using a Run Shell Script though. Thanks for the suggestion. We'll see what happens.

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Answer 3

richardsoper Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 31, 2013 5:18 PM in response to richardsoper

I found the solution! It is a very very sublte mistake. Now Ive got it broken up into 4 chunks to build the command, though I'm sure it could be combined if needed.

Get username:

on run {input, parameters}

tell me to activate

display dialog "What is your username?" default answer ""

set input to text returned of result

return input

end run

Add username to shell command(I initially missed the space between the -a and the quote and the -w and the quote):

on run {input, parameters}

set thevariable to input

set theScript to "security add-generic-password -a " & thevariable & " -s keychainitemname -w "

return theScript

end run

Get password and add to end of command:

on run {input, parameters}

set theScript to input

tell me to activate

display dialog "What is your password?" default answer ""

set ACP to text returned of result

set keychaincan to input & ACP

return keychaincan as string

end run

Finally, send the Shell Command:

on run {input, parameters}

do shell script (input)

return input

end run

Hope this helps anyone trying to accomplish this same thing!

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