Create new folders in the current directory

Questions & Suggestions
1

Hi

I’d like to create a bunch of folders in the current directory when I press the trigger. I’ve used the new folder action but it doesn’t seem to create the folders in the current directory. I’m not sure where it’s creating them.

Thanks.

2

Hi

I have a macro, which does this.

We use it at my work to create the basestructure of a folder on our network for a job. I work at an Ad Agency/Printer.

It start with presenting a prompt asking for up to 5 supplier-names.

The folders are created, in the folder you are in, in the Finder.

Keyboard Maestro “Create basestructure for order folder” Macro

Create basestructure for order folder.kmmacros (10 KB)

Keyboard Maestro Export.png783×2575 252 KB

1 Like
3

Hi

Thanks for sharing.

I was trying “execute a shell script” with mkdir {test1,test2,test3} but I get permission denied. I go to the Terminal, execute the same command and it works just fine. Not sure why it’s not working from KM.

mkdir: test1: Permission denied
mkdir: test2: Permission denied
mkdir: test3: Permission denied

4

What is the current working directory in each case?

The current working directory for a script executed by Keyboard Maestro is undefined. Try:

cd ~
mkdir {test1,test2,test3}

or the equivalent.

5

Hey @skyblue

The New Folder action has no concept of “the current directory” – you have to provide a proper path.

It can be a $HOME-based path or an absolute path:

~/Documents/test_dir
~/Documents/test_dir/

~/Documents/test dir # KM handles any quoting necessary.

/Users/yourUserName/Documents/Dev
/Users/yourUserName/Documents/Dev/

* Keyboard Maestro only handles quoting in its own actions.

Why don't you provide a sample directory structure, so we can better understand what you're doing?

Please also define what you mean by current directory.

-Chris

6

[quote=“peternlewis, post:4, topic:2888”]cd ~
mkdir {test1,test2,test3}[/quote]

Hey @skyblue

This of course is using an Execute a Shell Script action.

If you employ that method make sure to NOT put any spaces in along with the commas, as that will have unintended side-effects.

IF you have any spaces in your directory paths, the path must be quoted or or the spaces escaped.

cd ~/test_directory/KM_TEST/
mkdir ~/test_directory/KM_TEST/my test folder

This will create three directories in the designated folder, instead of the one “my test folder” we wanted.

These forms WILL work as we want them to:

mkdir ~/test_directory/KM_TEST/my\ test\ folder
mkdir ~/test_directory/KM_TEST/'my test folder'
mkdir ~/'test_directory/KM_TEST/my test folder'

* If you put a quote mark in FRONT of the ~ it will fail.

-Chris