How do I set up an AppleScript to open a new iTerm2 tab and change the directory?

macos terminal applescript iterm

19,465

Solution 1

The following does almost what you asked for, but it opens a new window.

tell application "iTerm"
    set newWindow to (create window with default profile)
    tell current session of newWindow
        write text "cd ~/Desktop; clear; pwd"
    end tell
end tell

(This was based on the new iTerm documentation and the below answer, which you should upvote!)

Solution 2

If anyone in 2020 looking for answer to this, find below:

tell application "iTerm"
    set newWindow to (create window with default profile)
    tell current session of newWindow
        write text "cd ~/Desktop; clear; pwd"
    end tell
end tell

19,465

cwd

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

cwd over 1 year
In OS X, how do I set up an AppleScript to
- open a new iTerm2 tab
- change to a directory
- clear the console
- echo the current directory
I had something like this before for regular Terminal, but I can't even find the scripting guide for iTerm2.
HikeMike almost 13 years

write text adds the return/newline on its own?
slhck almost 13 years

Apparently, it does! I tried everything before posting. exec command does something, but I don't know what exactly.
cwd almost 13 years

Thanks for a nice answer. I also found the comments at the bottom of this page to be helpful in writing a "cd to" script: code.google.com/p/iterm2/wiki/AppleScript
Henrik N over 11 years

I believe exec actually runs exec(3) and so only works in a new session, and runs the exec:ed process instead of a shell.
Ken almost 10 years

@slhck I'm having a hell of a time formatting this to be able to execute with osascript -e in the shell. Any advice?
Ken almost 10 years

@slhck nvm, found this little gem with EOD usage:apple.stackexchange.com/questions/103621/…
Admin almost 2 years

This doesn't work anymore. The variable terminal is not defined
Admin almost 2 years

This doesn't work anymore. The variable terminal is not defined