A way to set up Keka as a default app to manage archive files for all the users of a Mac?

[ibob-z]

Hi, I am an IT engineer at an International school.

Just curious if there's a way to set up Keka as a default app to manage archive files for all the users of a Mac.

A script may easier to deploy Keka remotely.

Our staff is using their Active Directory account to log in to their working Mac, so if I could use a script to set up Keka for their mobile account is easier than letting them set up via a manual.

if you would be able to assist me in any way I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks a lot.

[aonez]

Hi @ibob-z,

You can run the KekaExternalHelper.app (https://www.keka.io/defaultapp) once (or every time, up to you). This helper sets Keka as the default extraction tool for all the supported formats. You have all info of this helper here: https://github.com/aonez/Keka/wiki/Default-application

I could slightly modify this helper so it runs silently (no confirmation dialog).

Let me know if this will suit your need or you may need a modification/alternative.

[aonez]

Went ahead and update the helper (v1.1.3) to be executed from anywhere with no GUI, using the argument -s or --set-as-default.

So executing it like KekaExternalHelper.app/Contents/MacOS/KekaExternalHelper --set-as-default will find the installed Keka and set as the default app for all it's supported extraction formats on the user that executed the command.

You can place the helper anywhere you want, just be sure it has no quarantine applied.

[ibob-z]

https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/718907
I will try it on a lower version of macOS and will get back to you.

[ibob-z]

Hi @aonez, I have tried under macOS 12.6.5 and 13.3.1(a) too, the .plist startup didn't be executed...
I have also tried to use sudo launchctl load to launch it manually, but failed too, it says
Path had bad ownership/permissions
Load failed: 122: Path had bad ownership/permissions
The .plist file I have tried to give it current user(for example user A) as the owner, admin as the owner group, or root as the owner and wheel as the owner group. The .plist file's current permission like the below,
-rwxrwxrwx 1 a admin
and I have removed all the quarantine attributes for the .plist file. The Gatekeeper and SIP are disabled on the test computer.
I placed the KekaExternalHelper(v.1.1.3) and Keka(v1.2.61) under the Applications folder and removed all quarantine attributes too.
I don't have any coding experience, any suggestions?

[ibob-z]

Solved. Never mind. I wish you good health and develop more apps as good as Keka.

[aonez]

Sorry @ibob-z I was very busy. It works now for you then?

[ibob-z]

No worries. I have written a .sh script file and used a new .plist file to load the shell script when a new user login. The wrong .plist file permissions(I set the permission to 777, but yesterday I found it should be 644) caused the above issue. I tested it under macOS 13.3.1 and it worked for both admin users and standard users.