Rewrites files to remove stubborn extended attributes like com.apple.macl. Preserves creation and modification dates.

rewrite_files.sh

# This script rewrites a list of files to remove extended attributes like
# com.apple.macl, which can cause Time Machine backups to fail.
# It preserves creation and modification dates using SetFile/GetFileInfo.
#
# Provide the list of files via stdin, e.g.:
#   echo "/path/to/file" | ./rewrite_file_clean.sh
#   or
#   cat filelist.txt | ./rewrite_file_clean.sh
#
# Requires: Xcode Command Line Tools (for SetFile and GetFileInfo)
# USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! The script overwrites the original files.

#!/bin/bash
set -eu -o pipefail

# Check dependencies
for tool in GetFileInfo SetFile; do
  if ! command -v "$tool" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
    echo "❌ Required tool '$tool' is missing. Install Xcode Command Line Tools with:"
    echo "   xcode-select --install"
    exit 1
  fi
done

# Check if input is coming from a pipe or redirection
if [ -t 0 ]; then
  echo "Usage: echo \"/path/to/file\" | $0"
  echo "   or: cat filelist.txt | $0"
  exit 1
fi

# Process input
while IFS= read -r file; do
  [[ -z "$file" || ! -f "$file" ]] && continue

  echo "→ Rewriting: $file"

  # Timestamps
  mod_time=$(stat -f "%Sm" -t "%Y%m%d%H%M.%S" "$file")
  create_time=$(GetFileInfo -d "$file" 2>/dev/null || true)

  tmpfile="${file}.tmp.$$"
  cp -X -- "$file" "$tmpfile"
  mv -- "$tmpfile" "$file"

  touch -m -t "$mod_time" "$file"
  [[ -n "$create_time" ]] && SetFile -d "$create_time" "$file" 2>/dev/null || true

  echo "✔ Done: $file"
done