Debugging "Create New Project Folder" macro

Questions & Suggestions
1

Hello,

I'm trying to create a simple macro that:

  1. Prompts me for a folder name (text input)

  2. Creates that folder in /Users/ellenmadono/_Documents_local/

  3. Shows a notification when done

The macro has 3 actions:

  1. Prompt for User Input (variable: NewFolderName, type: Text)

  2. Execute Shell Script: mkdir -p "/Users/ellenmadono/_Documents_local/$KMVAR_NewFolderName"

  3. Display Notification

Problem: When I run the macro, the prompt appears and I can enter a folder name, but no folder gets created. The Engine.log shows the macro executes with no errors, but the folder doesn't appear in the directory.

I've attached the macro. Can someone help me figure out what's wrong?

System: macOS [Tahoe 26.0.1] Keyboard Maestro: [Version 11.0.4

Create New Project Folder.kmmacros (3.7 KB)

]

Thanks!

2

The reason is you cannot pass variables to a shell that way. You have to use a different way. The way you do it is explained here:

There's an important clue in the Editor that should give this away. In the upper right corner of the text box where you entered your shell command there is no "T", but in other boxes there is a "T".

image
image312×568 14.5 KB

If you see a T, then you can use tokens, but if there is no T, you cannot use tokens. You should learn to recognize this, as it will come up in other boxes in the future.

3

Thank you Airy. That is an important fact.
By the way, next to my name is gone? Do you know what it means?

4

If you're running a simple shell script like that and it's not working it's always worth clicking on the little down arrow next to the script box and making sure that you haven't inadvertently got "Include No Variables" selected:

Screenshot 2025-11-03 at 10.31.23
Screenshot 2025-11-03 at 10.31.23224×162 9.82 KB

For what you are trying to accomplish, there's a native KM action to create a new folder which might be a better approach:

Screenshot 2025-11-03 at 10.31.42

1 Like
5

I don't know what the phrase "next to my name is gone" means.

6

Probably referring to your unique user icon :wink:

7

Haha, perhaps that's correct.

If you mean the icon next to my name, the word "GONE?", then I can tell you it means absolutely nothing. It's just a random word next to my name.