Execute Shell Script Action Fails to Increase macOS Contrast

Questions & Suggestions
1

A follow-up on this ...

Providing the full path for this Pandoc command fixed the issue. All good. I made a mental note to remember this next time I need to run a shell script. Today was one such day!

I want to run some shell scripts to change some OS Accessibility settings. An example:

defaults write com.apple.universalaccess increaseContrast -bool true

This command sets increased contrast to on. That works in Terminal, but not in KM. OK, so I shall find out the path using:

which defaults

And that revealed the path as:

/usr/bin/defaults

So, all I need to do is set it like this in KM Shell script, right?

/usr/bin/defaults write com.apple.universalaccess increaseContrast -bool true

But that does not work, I get this error:

2023-02-23 21:50:09 Execute a Shell Script failed with script error: 2023-02-23 21:50:09.226 defaults[47118:10617287] Could not write domain com.apple.universalaccess; exiting. Macro “Increased Contrast Off” cancelled (while executing Execute Shell Script).

So I must need something additional here. I have checked the Shell script page in the KB, but it's really not close to my comfort zone, and I can't work out what I have missed.

As usual, I appreciate all the help that people provide here.

1 Like
2

Hey @Lloydi,

  • What version of macOS are you using?
  • What version of Keyboard Maestro are you using?

My best guess at the moment is that you have a permissions problem.

See if this runs:

Download Macro(s): Create a File on the Desktop Using an ‘Execute a Shell Script’ Action v1.00.kmmacros (2.1 KB)

Macro-Image

Keyboard Maestro Export

Macro-Notes
  • Macros are always disabled when imported into the Keyboard Maestro Editor.
    • The user must ensure the macro is enabled.
    • The user must also ensure the macro's parent macro-group is enabled.
System Information
  • macOS 10.14.6
  • Keyboard Maestro v10.2

-Chris

3

I am using Ventura 13.0 and KM version 10.2.

Also, yes, that macro did work with no issues. Text file created with no bother :slight_smile:

4

On Mojave when I run:

defaults write com.apple.universalaccess increaseContrast -bool true

I have to quit and restart apps to get them to show the change in contrast.

5

Yep, that’s expected behaviour. I can handle that issue separately. The issue is that while I can run these commands in Terminal, it won’t work on KM shell script, even when specifying the path.

6

2023-02-23 21:50:09 Execute a Shell Script failed with script error: 2023-02-23 21:50:09.226 defaults[47118:10617287] Could not write domain com.apple.universalaccess; exiting. Macro “Increased Contrast Off” cancelled (while executing Execute Shell Script).

This may mean that domain is not available on Ventura.

I.e. the command structure has changed.

7

It's not picking up the "domain" correctly. Try being explicit, with:

/usr/bin/defaults write ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.universalaccess increaseContrast -bool true
1 Like