New URL scheme in 1.4

[marksink]

#253 (comment)

I've updated to 1.4 and can confirm the URL scheme works when using Safari and manually executing everything. That means pasting in the URL, granting access, but also still having to click allow VirtualBuddy.app to load each time.
But I need to do this via a script, and not use Safari. In this case, the only thing that happens is that VirtualBuddy launches, and displays all my VM's. The 'open' and 'boot' commands never happen. I've also never gotten a permission pop-up like I did the first time Safari did this. I've tried Terminal, iTerm2, and Warp. I've given them full disk access. Not ever getting the same permissions pop-up like I did with Safari might be a clue. Also, my VM's are on an external SSD. But, they do show up in the VB window when launched from the script, they just won't open or boot.

Python:

uri = "virtualbuddy://boot?name=My%20Mac&options.bootInRecoveryMode=false"
os.system(f"open {uri}") 

[insidegui]

If you're using the open command, you'll need the -W flag so that VirtualBuddy gets a chance to look up the process that's calling it. I recommend using AppleScript to invoke the URL scheme for better results.

However, I did notice a bug in the current release, it looks like the URL scheme is not being opened correctly from a cold start of the app, only after the app is already running, I'll fix this and release 1.4.1 as soon as possible.

[insidegui]

Addressed in version 1.4.1: https://github.com/insidegui/VirtualBuddy/releases/tag/1.4.1

[marksink]

For those writing external scripts to launch VirtualBuddy, here is Python code, using embedded AppleScript, without needing a separate AppleScript file.

import subprocess
from urllib.parse import quote

# Base URI
base_uri = "virtualbuddy://boot"

# Parameters
params = {
    "name": "My Mac VM"
}

# Encode parameters and construct the complete URI
encoded_params = "&".join([f"{quote(key)}={quote(str(value))}" for key, value in params.items()])
complete_uri = f"{base_uri}?{encoded_params}"

print(complete_uri)

# AppleScript to open the URL 
applescript = f'''
tell application "System Events"
    open location "{complete_uri}"
end tell
'''

# Running the AppleScript from Python
subprocess.run(["osascript", "-e", applescript])

[insidegui]

Thanks! I've edited your example for formatting.

[mcnahum]

@insidegui is it in your plan to use this to create VM too? could be a way to use parameters, I can imagine a macOS shortcut (or script) to build the type of devices I want...
For me, the only thing that change is usually the name of the device.

[insidegui]

Yes, this will eventually be expanded to support more features, and I also plan on including command line and Shortcuts support.