MacOS – Prompting user for input on locking screen

applescriptmacosscripttext input

I'm relatively new to OSX (running Mavericks), but my goal is to create a script that reminds me to take notes on the day's work. The script will ideally: run upon the user clicking 'Login window' (i.e. lock screen) and prompt the user for whether or not they want to record notes (ok/cancel). If the user answers OK, then the script will ask for a multiline input, then append the date and time, plus that input, to a text file before locking the screen. If the user clicks cancel or 15 seconds pass without interaction, the dialog should be dismissed and the screen will lock.

I'm:

1) unsure about how to prompt the user for multiline input

2) unclear how to trigger the script on the user requesting a return to the login window (lock screen?)

If this can be accomplished through a third-party program/interface, I'm open to that as well. Thanks!

Best Answer

Keyboard Maestro.

What you want to achieve requires a daemon that runs in the background, launches with the system, and executes customized commands/scripts after detecting a trigger. It's no a small feat if you want to write one that has good stability.

Apart from the keys, Keyboard Maestro has triggers like Startup, System Wake, Login, While Logged In, etc. With some tweaking and compromise, this is the best shot I know.

Related Solutions

MacOS – How to open a shell script in a new Terminal window and run it with administrator privileges

I'd try writing a simple script:

#!/bin/bash
sudo /usr/bin/id

save this as something.command, change its permissions to executable with chmod +x, and then run this from AppleScript with

osascript -e 'do shell script "open -a Terminal ./something.command"'

Instead of /usr/bin/id you can call whatever script you need to run with admin privileges then.

EDIT:

This will work:

osascript -e 'do shell script "sudo /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app/Contents/MacOS/Terminal" with administrator privileges'

Launching apps behind the lock screen

Power Manager

If you are happy to use a third party application, Power Manager can do exactly what you want.

There are lots of recipes to help create your schedule. For your situation:

By default, Power Manager will power on a sleeping Mac to perform scheduled events. The recipe above for launching an application will automatically wake a sleeping Mac. You can adjust the event to power on a shut down Mac, if desired.

Power Manager will launch your application behind the lock screen. This is possible because Power Manager has a helper agent running within each user session. The main scheduler works with the agent to make sure the application is launched in the right user session.

Disclosure: I work for DssW, who make Power Manager; so feel free to ask technical questions.

Fast User Switch

If you are concerned about security, consider having the user be switched back to the login window with Fast User Switching.

While Fast User Switched, your Mac can wake to schedule, run the AppleScript, and complete its task while not risking unguarded access to the Mac.