unable to run script in Automator

[bremere]

I can run a script that was generated just fine within the terminal window, and it works great! I'm trying to run the script in automator and always generates an error.

The script is:
displayplacer "id:4FA1B805-30CE-5C25-29B6-D8D149F68FEC res:1920x1200 color_depth:8 scaling:off origin:(0,0) degree:0" "id:54EF03AE-1045-6AAE-C0BD-AC5CACC7C273 res:1920x1200 color_depth:8 scaling:off origin:(1920,0) degree:0"

and the error in automator is:

"displayplacer: command not found"

What am I missing? seems pretty straight forward and I just can't get it to work :(

[jakehilborn]

Try putting the full path to the executable. Use which to find that path. For example

~ $ which displayplacer
/usr/local/bin/displayplacer
~ $ /usr/local/bin/displayplacer "id:4FA1B805-30CE-5C25-29B6-D8D149F68FEC res:1920x1200 color_depth:8 scaling:off origin:(0,0) degree:0" "id:54EF03AE-1045-6AAE-C0BD-AC5CACC7C273 res:1920x1200 color_depth:8 scaling:off origin:(1920,0) degree:0"

[jordanjennings]

If you have installed an updated version of bash with homebrew and set it to your default shell (as I have), then Automator tries to use it by default but it doesn't seem to work. I had to manually change the Shell dropdown in Run Shell Script to /bin/bash and use the full path to displayplacer, and now it's working.

Not working:

Working:

[bremere]

Thank you both! I was able to get Automator to behave, you've both been great help!

[re-evgeny]

Thank you guys, exactly what I was looking for!

[leongeyer]

Hi. If somebody has the inverse problem, where Automator points to /bin/bash, but display placer is on /usr/local/bin/ which does not appear in the dropdown menu, insert
export PATH=/usr/local/bin:$PATH at the beginning of the script. Taken from https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/97502/my-automator-workflow-fails-because-it-fails-to-find-the-git-command-within-the.
I am on OS10.14.6

[kastuin]

Thanks for this I was getting very frustrated with automator ;) @jordanjennings

[Grimwoooo]

Excellent! This solved my same problem. Thank you Jake! I love Displayplacer so much!!

[FloWi]

@jordanjennings Thanks for the info regarding the path. Automator was driving me crazy :)

[JamIsJam88]

Sorry, I'm new to Automator and recently installed Homebrew just for this. Can I create this as a Quick Action and assign it to a hotkey as a service shortcut? If so, the following code is not working in a Shell Script where the shell is /bin/bash:

/usr/local/bin/displayplacer "id:FAEBDFC2-38F5-4C8E-8F51-14139CA13140 res:1920x1080 hz:144 color_depth:8 scaling:off origin:(0,0) degree:0" "id:37D8832A-2D66-02CA-B9F7-8F30A301B230 res:1512x982 hz:120 color_depth:8 scaling:off origin:(-1512,0) degree:0" "id:8309CC09-D4BD-4FC8-BCC1-4EE98CF9F500 res:1920x1080 hz:60 color_depth:7 scaling:off origin:(0,-1080) degree:0"

I get the error No such file or directory.

[leongeyer]

Try to write this:
export PATH=/usr/local/bin:$PATH displayplacer "id .... and so on

rest the same:
workflow receives no input in any app
/bin/bash pass input to stdin

[JamIsJam88]

Hey thanks! However, it keeps giving me an error stating displayplacer: command not found. I can get it to work in the terminal without the export path.

Try to write this: export PATH=/usr/local/bin:$PATH displayplacer "id .... and so on

rest the same: workflow receives no input in any app /bin/bash pass input to stdin

[Zuxaw]

Hi if it doesn't work with all the above solutions you can do :
brew info displayplacer

You will get your current displayplacer location

Then you can put in your automator :
/opt/homebrew/Cellar/displayplacer/1.2.0/bin/displayplacer

[JamIsJam88]

Hi if it doesn't work with all the above solutions you can do : brew info displayplacer

You will get your current displayplacer location

Then you can put in your automator : /opt/homebrew/Cellar/displayplacer/1.2.0/bin/displayplacer

This worked perfectly. Thanks so much!