Set dock apps, but allow user to change size and placement

[ngulick]

Hello all,

We would like to deploy our Macs with a set of standard applications in the dock, but not disallow the end user to move and resize the dock. Is there a way to insert or set apps with the dock without locking out the user entirely? 

Thanks much - 

[sdagley]

@ngulick Use https://github.com/kcrawford/dockutil instead of a Configuration Profile to configure the Dock. Here's a good presentation that describes various ways of configuring a user's Dock, including dockutil: https://downloads.lib.utah.edu/media_streaming_presentation_documents/pdf/mac_mgrs/20220420_mm/2022....

[ngulick]

That's great advice, thank you I'll look into that! 

[sudoErase]

If this is for deploying, you can use Dock Items + Policy. 

Dock Items: https://learn.jamf.com/en-US/bundle/jamf-pro-documentation-current/page/Dock_Items.html

Use Policy to set dock items (standard apps) and check it to "Enrollment Complete" -- you can also use custom trigger to trigger off of a script instead. All depends on how you setup you do your onboarding.

One thing to note: You need to add all the apps including the ones you do not need in the dock (ex. Freeform)

You can go to Policy and add the dock item "Freeform" and select "Remove items". 

Add all the ones you need
Remove all the ones you dont need

[ngulick]

That's good advice thank you. Can this policy be triggered by a script or event to already deployed and managed systems? Also, to confirm, this will leave the dock "preconfigured" but not locked out from user choice on what goes in and out of it, and also it's size, placement, etc?