Platypus is a developer tool that creates native Mac applications from interpreted scripts such as shell scripts or Perl and Python programs. This is done by wrapping the script in an application bundle directory structure along with an application binary that runs the script.
Platypus makes it easy to share scripts and programs with those unfamiliar with the command line interface. Native user-friendly applications can be created with a few clicks. It is very easy to create installers, maintenance applications, login items, status menu items, launchers, automations and droplets using Platypus. Platypus is free, open-source software distributed under the BSD License.
Here are some of the features Platypus has to offer:
- Supports shell scripts, Perl, Python, PHP, Ruby, Swift, Expect, Tcl, AppleScript or any other user-specified interpreter
- Can execute scripts with root privileges via Apple's Security Framework
- Can display graphical feedback of script execution as progress bar, text window with script output, droplet, WebKit HTML rendering or status item menu
- Supports dragging and dropping files or text snippets, which are then passed to the script as arguments
- Can create applications that are handlers for URI schemes
- Can create applications that run in the background (LSUIElement)
- Set own application icon or select from presets
- Set app's associated file types, identifier, version, author, etc.
- Graphical interface for bundling support files with script
- Command line tool for automation
- "Profiles" which can be used to save configurations
- Built-in script editor, or linking with external editor of choice
- Extensive documentation and many built-in examples to help you get started