Learn how to interact with the Kandji Agent using its Command Line Interface (CLI)
While Kandji Agent is primarily hands-off after it is installed on a Mac, a few Terminal commands are available.
Run
sudo kandji run
The agent will run and check in immediately. Normally, the agent checks in every 15 minutes. Without an internet connection, the agent will run in offline mode.
sudo kandji run --reset-dailyAdding --reset-daily to the run command will run all Parameters, including those that are run only once per day.
Run Daily MDM Inventory Update
sudo kandji update-mdm
The agent will request the MDM server to initiate its daily MDM commands, such as validating Apps & Books from Apple Business Manager, as well as querying certain device information.
Collect Apps
sudo kandji collect-apps
Collects full application inventory from the Mac.
Run Library Items
sudo kandji library
Checks for library items to execute. Available library command options:
Option | Description |
--list | List all of the library items assigned to the computer. |
--state | Get the current state of the Kandji Agent library manager. |
--item | Run a specific library item by name or library item ID; specify -F to force the execution. |
--cancel | Cancel the currently running library item and clears the current queue. |
Print Kandji Logs
sudo kandji logs --last <seconds>
Prints log entries for the Kandji Agent subsystem from the unified logging system. The `--last` option is required and specifies the number of previous seconds to print logs from. Replace <seconds> with a number, like 300. (Actual results displayed are limited based on available unified log storage.)
Redirect the output of the command using > to save to an external log file.
Available logs command options:
Option | Description |
--no-format | Print log entries without ANSI color formating. |
--debug | Includes debug level logs, debug logging must be enabled prior. |
Debug logging can be enabled by running:
sudo log config --mode "level:debug" --subsystem io.kandji.KandjiAgent
Debug logging can be disabled by running:
sudo log config --mode "level:default" --subsystem io.kandji.KandjiAgent
Example command usage:
sudo kandji logs --no-format --debug --last 10000 >~/Desktop/kandji.log
Please note that when using the scriptable options below, such as within a custom script item, it is best practice to use the full path to the binary file: /usr/local/bin/kandji
Scriptable Option: Reboot
sudo kandji reboot --delaySeconds NumberOfSeconds
This option can be used in scripted workflows to force a reboot leveraging the Kandji Agent and menu bar application. It is visually similar to the reboot forced during FileVault enablement or a Managed OS upgrade.
Initiates a restart by prompting the logged-in user with a countdown timer. If no delay is specified, the default 1800 (30 minutes) will be used. If no user is logged in, the delay will be ignored and the Mac will restart immediately.
Scriptable Option: Dock
sudo kandji dock [--add bundle identifier] [--remove bundle identifier] [--all]
This option can be used in scripted workflows to add items to the end of the macOS Dock or remove items from the macOS dock of the currently logged-in user.
The application referred to by the bundle identifier must be in the /Applications folder.
Optionally specifying the --all option adds the icon to the end of the Dock for all user accounts.
Scriptable Option: Alert
sudo kandji display-alert [--title text] [--message text] [--icon path_to_image] [--suppression-key string] [--help-url url]
This command can be used in scripted workflows to present an alert to users. It has several options, outlined below.
Option | Description | Default if not provided |
--title | Specifies a custom title for the alert window | "Alert" |
--message | Specifies a custom message for the alert window | No default value |
--icon | Specifies a custom icon for the alert window | Kandji Agent icon |
--suppression-key | If provided, will show an option to the user: "Do not show this message again" If this suppression key is provided in a future alert, and the user opted to not see it again, the alert will not be shown. | No default value If no suppression key is specified, the "Do not show this message again" option is not displayed. |
--help-url | Allows for specifying a custom URL for the alert Help button. Must be an https URL | No default value If no URL is specified, the Help button is not displayed. |
Below is an example of an alert in macOS Big Sur
Version
sudo kandji version
Displays the installed Kandji Agent version.
Help
sudo kandji help
Displays help text.