How do I read Passwords-Settings.extension preferences?

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
#1

I want to read apple.systempreferences for the Passwords-Settings.extension, as contained in the pane opened by

do shell script "/usr/bin/open 'x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Passwords-Settings.extension'"

My attempt to read its defaults with the following script failed.

do shell script "defaults read '/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Passwords-Settings.extension'"

I am looking for methods to read that pane’s preference checkbox status without opening its pane.

#2

“defaults read” only works on .plist files.
I’m on Ventura & Sequoia, and I can’t seem to find that file. What OS are you on?

#3

Here on Tahoe, modifying a setting for “Auto delete verification codes” in the “Autofill & Passwords” pane ( opened here by “do shell script “/usr/bin/open ‘x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Passwords-Settings.extension’”” ) modified the “com.apple.onetimepasscodes.plist” file. That file only holds that one preference. I think you might have a bit more complexity here than you thought.

#4

I am on Tahoe system.

My overall goal is to write a script that detects the status of the plist and based upon whether the value of the checkbox is 0 or 1, then open the preference’s pane, and with the use of UI click the checkbox button slider to the opposite position. The following script detects the value of the checkbox in that pane. If it is 0, the script clicks the checkbox to slide its UI slider to the opposite end.

on AutoFill()
	do shell script "/usr/bin/open 'x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Passwords-Settings.extension'"
	set AutoFillFromPasswordsCheckbox to missing value
	tell application "System Events" to tell process "System Settings"
		repeat with i from 1 to 5
			try
				delay 0.5
				set AutoFillFromPasswordsCheckbox to checkbox 1 of group 2 of scroll area 1 of group 1 of group 3 of splitter group 1 of group 1 of window "AutoFill & Passwords"
				if value of chkbox is 0 then
					click chkbox
				end if
				exit repeat
			end try
		end repeat
		if AutoFillFromPasswordsCheckbox is missing value then
			tell me
				activate
				display dialog "Checkbox" with title "Missing" giving up after 2
			end tell
		end if
		
	end tell
	tell application "System Settings"
		close window "AutoFill & Passwords"
	end tell
end AutoFill()

I want to avoid opening the Preference pane, if the plist boolean value already registers my targeted value. In other words, if the slider is in the off position, and that is the position desired for my underling activity, then the script will avoid needlessly opening the preference pane.