how can I script a shortcut for command-F2 (target display mode)?

Try this Applescript:

tell application "System Events"

key code 122 usingcommand down# Cmd-F2

end tell

for example, by SSH-ing into your iMac. Execute a local script performing e.g. the SSH call on your Macbook using Butler, LaunchBar, Alfred, Quicksilver, Keyboard Maestro, or any of the other, similar tools, or simply the Services menu/Automator.

from: http://superuser.com/questions/226880/send-key-combination-via-local-network-to- other-mac

You should be able to just ssh to the remote Mac and then enter:

osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to key code 122 using command down'

That source may be wrong, try key code 120

osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to key code 120 using command down'

Better yet, add this to the .bash_profile on your remote Mac:

function tdm() {

osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to key code 120 using command down'

}

Then, when you ssh into the remote Mac, all you need to do to is enter: tdm

Or if you use a remote desktop, then enter in Applescript Editor:

tell application "System Events" to key code 120 usingcommand down

and save as an App that you can click.

Hi guys!

I just got an iMac 2009 to use as a second screen to my iMac 2013. I tried both the bash-variant and the apple script variant, but none of them work. Both result in an error chime and nothing else happens.

Is it working for you guys?

Cheers,

Kim

More info on TDM from Apple.

In the OS X App Store. Key Codes is free. Shows visual info about key presses. Sample output for F2 below:

Hi!

I was a bit unclear. TDM itself is working fine for me, but only when triggered from the physical keyboard. The send keys -approach does not work as suggested in the above code examples.

Cheers,

Kim

The following was derived from Jose's post here on superuser. Notice that Jose uses keycode 144 but I have no idea why, as 120 is the F2 key on Mac keyboards.

On the iMac where you want to switch into Target Display Mode, put the following script in your home/bin directory. Make it executable. call it tdm.sh.

#!/bin/bash

#

osascript -e "tell application \"System Events\" to key code 120 using command down"

exit 0

Remotely, you would trigger TDM as:

ssh username@target-display-machine "~/bin/tdm.sh"

Hi!

That doesn't work either. The script itself runs, but only produces the audible error chime. All three methods behave identically.

Cheers,

Kim

Hi again!

Got it. 144 works. 120 doesn't. Go figure...

Thanks for the help!

Cheers,

Kim

Good.

Always boot the second Mac in TDM (you only have to do this when you reboot your second Mar, afterwards you forget your second, dedicated keyboard and mouse goodbye). Once TDM is established, get the utility Screen Sharing Menulet (two or three bucks), go to its Preferences and tick the Launch on Startup option. Then use it to launch SSH to operate your second Mac as a separate computer. When you want to get reclaim your second Mac as a simple,external screen, just go to Dock, find the SSH icon, and use it to open a tunnel to your new Mac.Once your SSH connection is established, keep it on and dodge in our of using your second Mac independently by showing or hiding SSH via its Dock menu.

TDM is nice idea, but Apple could make it a lot better by a.) creating a way for a Maq to boot into TDM, and b.) allowing one to open/close a TDM connection by issuing simple keyboard commands on his primary compute, eliminating that silly and very un-Mac-like need for a second keyboard and pointing device.

B. t. w.,I recenty noticed tha rejiggered Apple rejiggered SSH, so now you can cut-and-paste data and pass files and folders by drag-and-drop bewten linked Macs. This was a long time coming/ Apple. Thanks, it's a big step forward

Can confirm that in this case, key code for F2 is actually 144

Thank you johnssonkim - this was the missing link.