Add Unix Executable to Mac OS X Dock

Question

I can't drag Unix Executables to the dock like I can with other executables. Is there another way to put them there?

Answer 1

You can use Platypus http://www.sveinbjorn.org/platypus to build a MacOSX compatable program which calls a bash script/executable.

Answer 2

Platypus will do the job fairly.

However, if you are not in the favour of installing any other software then you can also achieve the same using AppleScript:

Step 1: open Apple Script Editor from Spotlight search.

Step 2: write this command

to run
    do shell script "path_to_unix_executable"
end run

Step 3: Save it as an application bundle.

Step 4: Run

Answer 3

Platypus is nice. An alternative is to create an Applescript application with a do shell script command.

Here's the relevant apple technote: http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/technotes/tn2002/tn2065.html