App Installer

What the App Installer does

This Automox Worklet™ automates the deployment of macOS applications to your endpoints using either .pkg installers or DMG disk images. The Worklet validates application presence, handles both installation formats, and verifies successful installation.

The evaluation script checks if an application already exists in the /Applications directory. If the application is missing, it signals the need for remediation. The remediation script then installs the application using the appropriate method based on your installer type.

When using DMG images, the Worklet automatically mounts the disk image, copies the application to the /Applications folder, and then safely unmounts the volume. For .pkg installers, the Worklet uses the macOS installer utility to deploy the application directly.

Why deploy applications through Automox

Manual software deployment across multiple macOS endpoints is time-consuming and error-prone. Automating this process through the App Installer Worklet guarantees every endpoint runs the correct application version, reducing support tickets and security risks from outdated software.

This approach guarantees compliance with software standards, maintains a unified environment across your fleet, and simplifies troubleshooting by eliminating configuration drift. You can schedule deployments during maintenance windows and immediately verify success across all endpoints.

How macOS application installation works

1. Evaluation phase: The Worklet checks whether the target application exists as a directory in /Applications. If the application is present, evaluation passes and remediation is skipped. If absent, the Worklet triggers remediation to install the application.

2. Remediation phase: The Worklet first validates that your installer is either a .pkg or .dmg file. For .pkg installers, it uses the installer utility to install directly to the root target. For DMG images, it mounts the image, copies the application to /Applications, and unmounts the volume. After installation completes, the Worklet verifies the application exists in /Applications before confirming success.

Application installation requirements

• macOS 10.13 or later

• Administrator privileges to install applications in /Applications

• Valid .pkg or .dmg installer file uploaded to Automox

• Exact application name (case-sensitive) matching the directory name in /Applications, including .app extension

• For DMG installations, the mounted volume name must match the variable configured in the remediation script

Expected application deployment state

After the Worklet completes successfully, the target application will be installed and accessible from the macOS Applications folder. The installation happens silently without user prompts, allowing automated deployment during business hours or maintenance windows.

You can verify installation success by running the Worklet again. If the application now exists in /Applications, the evaluation phase will pass and the endpoint will be marked compliant. Future evaluations will skip remediation entirely if the application remains present, reducing unnecessary installation activity on endpoints that already have the software.

How to validate app installer changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot macOS endpoint and review evaluation output for app installer.

2. Confirm Automox activity logs show successful completion and exit code 0.

3. Verify endpoint state using checks aligned to evaluation script logic, such as exit, else.

4. Validate remediation effects from script operations such as exit, pkg_install, installer, then rerun evaluation for compliance.

For technical validation, compare endpoint state to the Worklet evaluation logic and remediation flow for app installer. This supports repeatable software lifecycle workflows, faster change control review, and auditable compliance evidence.

Useful script references for this Worklet include evaluation operations such as exit, else and remediation operations such as exit, pkg_install, installer. Use these indicators to verify that endpoint changes match intended policy outcomes.