Create a folder, and name it based off of Current User?

[Spraynard]

Hi all, 

so, pretty new to Jamf, but I work at a school where lots of random softwares are used frequently in specific labs. 

One software we're using is OpenToonz, an animation software, and a FFmpeg plug in, which I have to point to a file path for OpenToonz to find the folder for. Problem is, this preference file is stored in /Applications/OpenToonz/OpenToonz_stuff/profiles/layouts, and generates a folder called "settings.usernamehere"

So, I can create the preferences file and move it to a specific path on scoped computers, but what I can't seem to figure out is how to create a file based off the name of the current logged in user, and place it in that specific file path. (i.e settings.currentLoggedInUser)

I assume a script is the way to go, but my googling has failed me this time around, and I'm a little out of my depth. Either way, appreciate any help you can give! 

[mschlosser]

the below script will retrieve then currently logged in user, and create the needed path:

#!/bin/sh

# variable and function declarations

export PATH=/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin

# get the currently logged in user
currentUser=$( echo "show State:/Users/ConsoleUser" | scutil | awk '/Name :/ { print $3 }' )

# global check if there is a user logged in
if [ -z "$currentUser" -o "$currentUser" = "loginwindow" ]; then
  echo "no user logged in, cannot proceed"
  exit 1
fi
# now we know a user is logged in

# get the current user's UID
uid=$(id -u "$currentUser")

runAsUser() {  
  if [ "$currentUser" != "loginwindow" ]; then
    launchctl asuser "$uid" sudo -u "$currentUser" "$@"
  else
    echo "no user logged in"
    # uncomment the exit command
    # to make the function exit with an error when no user is logged in
    # exit 1
  fi
}
# main code starts here

runAsUser mkdir "/Applications/OpenToonz/OpenToonz_stuff/profiles/layouts/settings.$currentUser"

exit 0

 you'd still need to decide how you wanted to call the script to run; simply you could advertise it in self service for users to run on demand or wrap it in a .command and deploy for users to run as needed or tie it to a launchdaemon to run every time somebody logs in.

The script also assumes that all users have permission to write to the ..../layouts path; something you could fix with chmod if that wasn't the case.

Your choice really. Hope that helps. 

[mschlosser]

it just dawned on me that you said you wanted to create a file and not a folder; my apologies. the below version should make a file instead of a folder. Obviously remove the placeholder with the exact file contents:

#!/bin/sh

# variable and function declarations

export PATH=/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin

# get the currently logged in user
currentUser=$( echo "show State:/Users/ConsoleUser" | scutil | awk '/Name :/ { print $3 }' )

# global check if there is a user logged in
if [ -z "$currentUser" -o "$currentUser" = "loginwindow" ]; then
  echo "no user logged in, cannot proceed"
  exit 1
fi
# now we know a user is logged in

# get the current user's UID
uid=$(id -u "$currentUser")

runAsUser() {  
  if [ "$currentUser" != "loginwindow" ]; then
    launchctl asuser "$uid" sudo -u "$currentUser" "$@"
  else
    echo "no user logged in"
    # uncomment the exit command
    # to make the function exit with an error when no user is logged in
    # exit 1
  fi
}
# main code starts here

runAsUser cat << EOF > "/Applications/OpenToonz/OpenToonz_stuff/profiles/layouts/settings.$currentUser"

<contents of file goes here>

EOF

exit 0

[Spraynard]

Great, I'll give this a shot!

You were right the first time, in that I need to create a folder, and then move a file there, but I think I have what I need to do automate the last parts. The folder creation and naming itself were the big challenges, so this is insanely helpful. Thank you!!