tophernad/jctl

An early release of command-line patch management for Jamf.

jctl

Introduction

jctl is a command line based tool to make using python-jamf, a Python 3 module to access Jamf Pro Classic API, easier to use. jctl uses python-jamf to select objects to create, delete, print and update. It allows performing Jamf Pro repetitive tasks quickly and provides options not available in the web GUI. It is similar to SQL statements, but far less complex.

Along with jctl there are a few other tools that utilize jctl and python-jamf.

patch.py is a script designed to automate the patching process.

pkgctl is similar to 'patch.py' but with a command line interface.

For more information on how python-jamf works, please visit the Github page.

Getting Help

Wiki

For further in-depth details please check out the wiki.

MacAdmin Slack Channel

If you have additional questions, or need more help getting started, post a question on the MacAdmin's Slack jctl channel.

Virtual JNUC 2021 Presentation

We will be presenting on python-jamf and jctl at the upcoming Virtual JNUC 2021 on on Thursday, Oct 21 at 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM MDT on Turn 1000 clicks into 1 with python-jamf and jctl

Since 2010, Apple IT, users, and InfoSec leaders from around the world have rallied at the Jamf Nation User Conference (JNUC) for community presentations, deep-dive education sessions, and expert product insights. Focusing on new and better ways to connect, manage and protect Apple devices that simplify workflows for IT and InfoSec and keep users productive. The Virtual JNUC 2021 experience will be October 19 - October 21, 2021, and there will be no cost to attend the online keynote and sessions.

Anyone and everyone is invited to register for the virtual experience.

What are python-jamf and jctl?

Originally, it was a "patch" project that was focused on patch management including installer package management, patch management, including assigning package to patch definition, updating versions, version release branching (i.e. development, testing, production), and scripting and automation. Later, it was split into two projects, python-jamf, which is a python library that connects to a Jamf Pro server using Jamf Pro Classic API, including keychain support for Jamf Pro credentials via keyring python project, support for PyPi to support pip installation and currently supports 56 Jamf Pro record types which will expand in number as the project continues.

Our presentation will cover how it works internally as a simple alternative to the usual cURL usage; usage example of workflows comparing using Jamf Pro web interface vs jctl; and lastly advanced usage and package management including example os subcommands for specific object types, filtering making interacting with the API simple & easy.