Packal Search — search for cool new workflows from the comfort of Alfred

[Sebastian Daza]

Hello, 

This workflow isn't working for me.  I only get "updating from packal", if I force updating I get this: 

Starting debug for 'Packal Search'

[2016-06-02 08:21:51][ERROR: action.script] 08:21:51 workflow.py:1972 DEBUG    Workflow version : 1.3.0
08:21:51 packal.py:152 DEBUG    0 workflows in cache
08:21:51 packal.py:369 DEBUG    Updating workflow lists...
08:21:51 packal.py:374 DEBUG    update command : [u'/usr/bin/python', u'/Users/sdaza/Dropbox/Alfred/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.9959172E-AD73-46A8-9A1F-997F0B53877C/update_workflows.py']
08:21:51 background.py:188 DEBUG    Command arguments cached to `/Users/sdaza/Library/Caches/com.runningwithcrayons.Alfred-3/Workflow Data/net.deanishe.alfred-packal-search/update.argcache`
08:21:51 background.py:192 DEBUG    Calling [u'/usr/bin/python', '/Users/sdaza/Dropbox/Alfred/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.9959172E-AD73-46A8-9A1F-997F0B53877C/workflow/background.pyc', u'update'] ...
08:21:51 workflow.py:1972 DEBUG    Workflow version : 1.3.0
08:21:51 workflow.py:2008 DEBUG    Workflow finished in 0.058 seconds.
08:21:51 workflow.py:2008 DEBUG    Workflow finished in 0.058 seconds.
08:21:51 background.py:197 DEBUG    Executing task `update` in background...
08:21:51 workflow.py:1387 DEBUG    Reading settings from `/Users/sdaza/Library/Application Support/Alfred 3/Workflow Data/net.deanishe.alfred-packal-search/settings.json` ...
08:21:51 workflow.py:2163 DEBUG    Set last run version : 1.3.0
08:21:51 workflow.py:2008 DEBUG    Workflow finished in 0.233 seconds.

[deanishe]

What does the log file say? That's where the update log is (not in the debugger).
 
Enter packal categories workflow:openlog in Alfred to view it.

[deanishe]

Well, as Shawn said in the other thread, the Packal manifest is currently invalid XML. That's almost certainly your answer.

[rice.shawn]

I just did a quick fix. It might be working again.

[Guy Stan]

Hi Dean,

 

I seem to have an issue displaying the packages by authors with packal search (latest version installed).

Do you have an idea how to fix it?

I find it very useful to be able to search by authors.

 

Here is the error log when calling "Packal Authors" and then pressing enter on a displayed author name (once you press enter on an author name nothing happens):

2017-05-07 10:31:35][ERROR: action.script] 10:31:35 workflow.py:2225 DEBUG    Workflow version : 1.3.0

10:31:35 workflow.py:1859 DEBUG    Loading cached data from : /Users/[HIDDEN]/Library/Caches/com.runningwithcrayons.Alfred-3/Workflow Data/net.deanishe.alfred-packal-search/workflows.cpickle

10:31:35 packal.py:150 DEBUG    1007 workflows in cache

10:31:35 packal.py:171 DEBUG    1007 workflows found in cache

10:31:35 packal.py:357 ERROR    Bundle ID not found : deanishe

10:31:35 workflow.py:2243 ERROR    u'Bundle ID unknown : deanishe'

Traceback (most recent call last):

  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]/Library/Application Support/Alfred 3/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.HIDDEN/workflow/workflow.py", line 2236, in run

    func(self)

  File "packal.py", line 188, in run

    return self.do_open()

  File "packal.py", line 202, in do_open

    workflow = self._workflow_by_bundleid(self.bundleid)

  File "packal.py", line 358, in _workflow_by_bundleid

    raise KeyError('Bundle ID unknown : {}'.format(bid))

KeyError: u'Bundle ID unknown : deanishe'

10:31:35 workflow.py:2267 DEBUG    Workflow finished in 0.036 seconds.

Edited May 7, 2017 by Guy Stan

[deanishe]

On 07/05/2017 at 11:33 AM, Guy Stan said:

pressing enter on a displayed author name

 

Use TAB, not ENTER.

 

I'll update the workflow so that ENTER works the same way.

[Guy Stan]

Thanks Dean!

 

I mostly use ENTER and not TAB and thus didn't realise that this was the other main key that could be used for the navigation in the various menus of the workflow.

[Guy Stan]

Hi Dean,

 

I have just migrated to a new machine and used the sync feature of Alfred to be able to recover all my installed workflows and configurations on the new machine.

 

Since doing this Packal Search Worflows doesn't work anymore for me.

 

Here is the log file when I launch "Packal Workflows" in Alfred:

Starting debug for 'Packal Search'

[2017-09-15 21:14:01][STDERR: input.scriptfilter] 21:14:01 workflow.py:2249 DEBUG    workflow version: 1.3.0
21:14:01 packal.py:152 DEBUG    0 workflows in cache
21:14:01 packal.py:369 DEBUG    Updating workflow lists...
21:14:01 packal.py:374 DEBUG    update command : [u'/usr/bin/python', u'/Users/*******[HIDDEN ]']
21:14:01 background.py:188 DEBUG    [update] command cached: /Users/*****/Library/Caches/com.runningwithcrayons.Alfred-3/Workflow Data/net.deanishe.alfred-packal-search/update.argcache
21:14:01 background.py:192 DEBUG    [update] passing job to background runner: [u'/usr/bin/python', '/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.*******[HIDDEN]/workflow/background.pyc', u'update']
21:14:01 workflow.py:2249 DEBUG    workflow version: 1.3.0
21:14:01 background.py:197 DEBUG    [update] background job started
21:14:01 workflow.py:1657 DEBUG    reading settings from /Users/[HIDDEN]/Library/Application Support/Alfred 3/Workflow Data/net.deanishe.alfred-packal-search/settings.json
21:14:01 workflow.py:2441 DEBUG    set last run version: 1.3.0
21:14:01 workflow.py:2290 DEBUG    workflow finished in 0.111 seconds

 

 

No workflow appears or is searchable.

 

Can you help?

Edited September 16, 2017 by Guy Stan

[xilopaint]

@Guy Stan if you didn't do yet, run Fixum workflow to update old versions of Alfred-Workflow library bundled in Packal Search and other workflows. There's a bug in old versions of the library when running in macOS Sierra.

Edited September 15, 2017 by xilopaint

[Guy Stan]

Yes, many thanks for the info. I knew about fixum and had run it before posting this, but this didn't solve the problem. Packal Search still doesn't work.

[deanishe]

21 hours ago, Guy Stan said:

Here is the log file

 

The log file is not the same as Alfred's debugger. The debugger only shows the output of scripts run by Alfred, but the list of available workflows is updated in a background process that Alfred doesn't know about.

 

Enter packal tags workflow:openlog into Alfred to view the log file and post the relevant contents.

[Guy Stan]

Hi Dean,

 

Sorry, I didn't know about this.

 

Here is the log when I launch the command "packal workflows"

 

10:52:32 workflow.py:2249 DEBUG    workflow version: 1.3.0
10:52:32 packal.py:152 DEBUG    0 workflows in cache
10:52:32 packal.py:369 DEBUG    Updating workflow lists...
10:52:32 packal.py:374 DEBUG    update command : [u'/usr/bin/python', u'/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/update_workflows.py']
10:52:32 background.py:188 DEBUG    [update] command cached: /Users/[HIDDEN]/Library/Caches/com.runningwithcrayons.Alfred-3/Workflow Data/net.deanishe.alfred-packal-search/update.argcache
10:52:32 background.py:192 DEBUG    [update] passing job to background runner: [u'/usr/bin/python', '/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/workflow/background.pyc', u'update']
10:52:32 workflow.py:2249 DEBUG    workflow version: 1.3.0
10:52:32 background.py:197 DEBUG    [update] background job started
10:52:32 workflow.py:1657 DEBUG    reading settings from /Users/[HIDDEN]/Library/Application Support/Alfred 3/Workflow Data/net.deanishe.alfred-packal-search/settings.json
10:52:32 background.py:237 DEBUG    [update] running command: [u'/usr/bin/python', u'/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/update_workflows.py']
10:52:32 workflow.py:2441 DEBUG    set last run version: 1.3.0
10:52:32 workflow.py:2290 DEBUG    workflow finished in 0.118 seconds
10:52:33 workflow.py:2249 DEBUG    workflow version: 1.3.0
10:52:33 update_workflows.py:87 WARNING  no bundleid in info.plist : /Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.6F088A5B-EE3A-4105-AB85-F26935B97995
10:52:33 workflow.py:2267 ERROR    not well-formed (invalid token): line 3, column 15
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/workflow/workflow.py", line 2260, in run
    func(self)
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/update_workflows.py", line 168, in main
    wf.cached_data('workflows', get_workflows,  max_age=max_age)
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/workflow/workflow.py", line 1890, in cached_data
    data = data_func()
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/update_workflows.py", line 133, in get_workflows
    local_workflows = get_installed_workflows()
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/update_workflows.py", line 92, in get_installed_workflows
    metadata.update(packal_metadata(packal_xml))
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.[HIDDEN]]/update_workflows.py", line 58, in packal_metadata
    tree = ET.parse(xmlpath)
  File "<string>", line 62, in parse
  File "<string>", line 38, in parse
ParseError: not well-formed (invalid token): line 3, column 15
10:52:33 workflow.py:2290 DEBUG    workflow finished in 0.138 seconds
10:52:33 background.py:242 ERROR    [update] command failed with status 1
10:52:33 background.py:247 DEBUG    [update] job complete
10:52:33 workflow.py:1657 DEBUG    reading settings from /Users/[HIDDEN]/Library/Application Support/Alfred 3/Workflow Data/net.deanishe.alfred-packal-search/settings.json
10:52:33 workflow.py:2441 DEBUG    set last run version: 1.3.0
10:52:33 workflow.py:2290 DEBUG    workflow finished in 0.253 seconds

[deanishe]

One of your workflows has a borked info.plist by the looks of it. 

 

Probably the one after this one:

user.workflow.6F088A5B-EE3A-4105-AB85-F26935B97995

[Guy Stan]

Ok. So what should I do?

[Guy Stan]

Shall I remove the folder user.workflow.6F088A5B-EE3A-4105-AB85-F26935B97995?

Edited September 17, 2017 by Guy Stan

[Guy Stan]

I have deleted and reinstalled the workflow: user.workflow.6F088A5B-EE3A-4105-AB85-F26935B97995

 

Now this is what I get in the log:

 

12:03:35 workflow.py:2267 ERROR    not well-formed (invalid token): line 3, column 15
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.B8669C66-EC0B-4B21-86F5-BD221D9AACB7/workflow/workflow.py", line 2260, in run
    func(self)
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.B8669C66-EC0B-4B21-86F5-BD221D9AACB7/update_workflows.py", line 168, in main
    wf.cached_data('workflows', get_workflows,  max_age=max_age)
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.B8669C66-EC0B-4B21-86F5-BD221D9AACB7/workflow/workflow.py", line 1890, in cached_data
    data = data_func()
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.B8669C66-EC0B-4B21-86F5-BD221D9AACB7/update_workflows.py", line 133, in get_workflows
    local_workflows = get_installed_workflows()
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.B8669C66-EC0B-4B21-86F5-BD221D9AACB7/update_workflows.py", line 92, in get_installed_workflows
    metadata.update(packal_metadata(packal_xml))
  File "/Users/[HIDDEN]]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.B8669C66-EC0B-4B21-86F5-BD221D9AACB7/update_workflows.py", line 58, in packal_metadata
    tree = ET.parse(xmlpath)
  File "<string>", line 62, in parse
  File "<string>", line 38, in parse
ParseError: not well-formed (invalid token): line 3, column 15
12:03:35 background.py:242 ERROR    [update] command failed with status 1
 

[deanishe]

No. I said the one after that one.

 

I'll add a clause to catch errors caused by borked workflows.

[deanishe]

@Guy Stan: Grab v1.4.1. That version should just ignore the broken workflow instead of failing completely.

[Guy Stan]

Works perfectly! Thank you so much Dean!

[deanishe]

Out of interest, which workflow was causing the problem? (Its folder will be listed in the log—search for "error".)

[Guy Stan]

Hi Dean,

 

Here is the info that I found in the log:

 

20:44:17 update_workflows.py:132 ERROR    bad packal/package.xml in workflow u'/Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.72743D30-3F8E-4030-932F-D8806264EAC3': not well-formed (invalid token): line 3, column 15
20:44:17 update_workflows.py:121 WARNING  no bundleid in info.plist : /Users/[HIDDEN]]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.9AD62F98-E484-4A19-A97B-B00CAFE9E4CF
20:44:17 update_workflows.py:121 WARNING  no bundleid in info.plist : /Users/[HIDDEN]/Desktop/Dropbox/Alfred3_Sync_Folder/Alfred.alfredpreferences/workflows/user.workflow.D322F5A0-9FC2-4341-9807-ABBEC77DD0AC

 

Workflow "user.workflow.72743D30-3F8E-4030-932F-D8806264EAC3" seems to be this one: http://www.packal.org/workflow/files-and-folders

The problem is in the file packal/package.xml, line 3, column 15: use of the character "&". I have corrected the error by replacing "&" with "and" for the name of the  workflow and this solves the problem.

Edited September 21, 2017 by Guy Stan

[deanishe]

Interesting. Fundamentally, that’s a Packal bug (it’s generating invalid XML). No chance of it getting fixed now, of course   

 

Thanks for the info. 

[Guy Stan]

Is the development of Packal and "Packal Updater" by Shaun stopped?

 

Is that why Vitor, you, and other key contributors have their own package update mechanisms now?

 

Packal has been a great resource and it would be a shame to not have a central alfred workflow repository that also allows to keep things up to date.

[Guy Stan]

Also, with packal not really working for updates is there an easy way to update all workflows or does the user need to go and fetch updates one by one for each workflow?

[deanishe]

2 hours ago, Guy Stan said:

Is that why Vitor, you, and other key contributors have their own package update mechanisms now?

 

I think the updater in my Python library predates the Packal updater.

 

2 hours ago, Guy Stan said:

 

Also, with packal not really working for updates is there an easy way to update all workflows or does the user need to go and fetch updates one by one for each workflow?

 

 

Workflows that don’t have a built-in updater need to be updated manually. My Packal search workflow can tell you which ones are out of date (if they’re available on Packal), but doesn’t update them.