Python Execute Shell commands without having a terminal open

Question

I'm writing a script that should focus a given application if its already running otherwise launch the application.

I'm using the run() method of the subprocess module to run a few shell commands to check whether an instance is currently running and if not to start a new one.

The script works perfectly fine if executed from a terminal, however isn't doing anything if launched via a keyboard shortcut from Gnome Shell.

My Question is how do I execute the shell commands without having a terminal open?

Here is a snippet of the code I use to the the shell commands:

def focus_instance_of(application):
    # Moves the window to the current desktop, raises it und gives it focus
    print("Put " + application + " in focus...")
    subprocess.run(["wmctrl", "-R", application])

Try the documentation? docs.python.org/3.4/library/subprocess.html — William_Wilson
– William_Wilson, Commented Jun 19, 2018 at 12:48

Dun Peal · Accepted Answer · 2018-06-19 12:47:19Z

1

This is how you execute commands (no shell necessary) "without having a terminal open".

If it executes correctly from a terminal - command line, I assume - and not from the Gnome Shell, then some feature of the different environment is likely causing it to fail.

I suggest you redirect stdout and stderr to a log file so you can start to debug this. Check for unhandled exceptions. Also check the output and return code of the wmctrl execution, it may be reporting an error.

answered Jun 19, 2018 at 12:47

Dun Peal

18k11 gold badges38 silver badges48 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Edward Minnix · Accepted Answer · 2018-06-19 12:46:57Z

1

You can add the keyword argument shell=True, this will spawn a shell in the background to run the command (but not open the terminal window).

subprocess.run(["wmctrl", "-R", application], shell=True)

answered Jun 19, 2018 at 12:46

Edward Minnix

2,9771 gold badge15 silver badges26 bronze badges

1 Comment

Dun Peal Over a year ago

The fact that the script is working correctly when launched from the CLI suggests the problem is not the absence of a shell. Moreover, there's no reason why wmctrl would require a shell.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Python Execute Shell commands without having a terminal open

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related