Script Commands for Linux Devices

Use the options and examples below to help you create your own powerful script commands.

All Linux supported scripts can be run on Linux devices. You can also use the options and examples below to help you create your own powerful script commands.

Note: Use the commands and scripts as supported for the Linux distribution on the device. For details, read Sending Scripts to Devices.

Legend

Format Meaning
text Enter the command exactly as shown.
text Replace with the requested information.
[text] Information contained within square brackets is optional to the command.
text|text Choose one of the options separated by the vertical pipe.

Commands

Command Syntax
cd

Changes the current directory.

 cd [directory]

Example

To change to the Chocolate directory:

cd Chocolate
copy or cp

Copies one or more files to another location.

 copy source destination

Example

To copy all files with the extension .txt from the /etc/passwd directory to the /etc/group directory on the device:

cp /etc/passwd/*.txt /etc/group
connect

Prompts the device agent to try to connect to the deployment server.

 ./mobicontrol -connect
del

Deletes a file or folder.

 del filename

Example

To delete a file named skittles.jpg:

del skittles.jpg

To delete all files with the extension .jpg in the current directory:

del *.tmp

To delete a file named skittles.jpg, forcefully:

del -f skittles.jpg

To delete a folder named Wrigley:

del Wrigley/
disconnect

Prompts the device agent to disconnect from the deployment server.

Note: This can only be applied when the Manual connection setting is enabled.
 ./mobicontrol -disconnect
halt

Shuts down the device.

 sudo halt
man

Displays the manual for a command.

 man command

Example

To learn more about the chmod command:

man chmod
mkdir or md

Creates a new directory.

 mkdir [drive:] path

Example

To create a directory named "test" from the current directory:

mkdir test

To create test/test1/test2/test3 recursively:

mkdir -p /test1/test2/test3 or md /test/test1/test2/test3
move

Moves a file from specified source location to specified destination location.

Note: You can rename the file at the same time by specifying a name for the destination filename.
 move [sourceFilePath] filename destinationFilePath [filename]

Example

To move the file test.txt:

move test.txt /home/sample

To move and rename a file at the same time:

move /home/test.txt /newfolder/test1.cmd

To move folder to root folder:

move /home/Mars /
reboot

Reboots the device.

 sudo reboot
reset

Performs a soft or hard reset of the device.

 reset [/S] [/delay sec]

Where:

  • /S is the default option, and soft resets the device. Any desktop remote control sessions are terminated.
  • /delay specifies that the reset should delay by the value in seconds. If /delay parameter is not defined, the default value is 5 seconds.

Example

To soft reset a device after a 30 second delay:

reset /S /delay 30
rm

Deletes a file or folder.

 rm filename

Example

To delete a file named skittles.jpg:

rm skittles.jpg

To delete all files with the extension .jpg in the current directory:

rm *.tmp

To delete a file named skittles.jpg, forcefully:

rm -f skittles.jpg

To delete a folder named Wrigley:

rm Wrigley/
rmdir or rd

Deletes a directory.

 rmdir [/S] path

Where /S removes any subdirectories

On Android Plus and Linux devices, this command requires the /S option and deletes the specified item, whether it is a directory or a file.

Example

To remove an empty directory named "test" from the current directory:

rmdir test

To remove a directory named "test" and all of its contents from the current directory:

rmdir /S test

To provide location:

rmdir /sdcard/Download/test
setdate

Sets the date and time.

 setdate date [time]

Where date is in the following format: mm-dd-yyy and time is in the following format: HH:MM:SS

Example

To set the date and time of the device

setdate 08–20–2016 13:32:00
shell

Launches the Linux shell.

 shell
turnoff

Reboots the device. You can specify a delay (in milliseconds) before the device reboots.

 turnoff [time]

Example

To turn off the device in 3.5 seconds:

turnoff 3500
writeprivateprofstring

Saves or deletes specified settings on a device.

See The writeprivateprofstring Command for more information.