Simple script written for fun that creates a macOS High Sierra ISO.

create_highsierra_iso.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
This script creates a macOS High Sierra bootable ISO.

Requires Python 3.6, macOS, and macOS High Sierra app installed.
Created using info gathered from here: https://gist.github.com/agentsim/00cc38c693e7d0e1b36a2080870d955b

Purpose: I just wanted to try out the subprocess library.
"""

import subprocess
import sys
from getpass import getuser
from os import remove, path
import platform
import shutil

__author__ = "Abdullah Khan"
__email__ = "[email protected]"
__license__ = "GNU GPL v3"

home_dir = f"/home/{getuser()}"

def check_platform():
    '''Make sure we are running on macOS before continuing.'''
    if platform.system() != "Darwin":
        sys.exit("Exiting since this is not a macOS system.")

def run_shell_commands():
    """Runs shell commands to create bootable macOS ISO."""
    # Create disk image
    print("Creating disk image...")
    subprocess.run(
        ["hdiutil", "create", "-o", "/tmp/HighSierra.cdr", "-size", "7316m",
            "-layout", "SPUD", "-fs", "HFS+J"]
    )
    # Mount disk image
    print("Mounting disk image...")
    subprocess.run(
        ["hdiutil", "attach", "/tmp/HighSierra.cdr.dmg", "-noverify",
            "-mountpoint", "/Volumes/install_build"]
    )
    # User will be prompted for password here to create install media.
    print("Escalating privileges to create bootable media...")
    subprocess.run(
        ["sudo", "/Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia",
            "--volume", "/Volumes/install_build", "--applicationpath",
            "/Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app",
            "--nointeraction"]
    )
    # Detach the volume.
    print("Detaching the disk image...")
    subprocess.run(["hdiutil", "detach", "/Volumes/Install macOS High Sierra"])
    # Convert the disk image to ISO.
    print("Creating ISO and performing cleanup...")
    subprocess.run(["hdiutil", "convert", "/tmp/HighSierra.cdr.dmg", "-format",
        "UDTO", "-o", "/tmp/HighSierra.iso"])
    # Move the ISO from /tmp/ to ~/Desktop
    shutil.move("/tmp/HighSierra.iso.cdr", f"{home_dir}/Desktop/HighSierra.iso")
    # Delete the disk image from /tmp/
    remove("/tmp/HighSierra.cdr.dmg")
    print(f"Finished, your ISO is located in: {home_dir}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    check_platform()
    try:
        run_shell_commands()
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"{e}: Failed to create ISO, cleaning up files.")
        if path.exists("/Volumes/Install macOS High Sierra"):
            subprocess.run(["hdiutil", "detach", "/Volumes/Install macOS High Sierra"])
        if path.exists("/tmp/HighSierra.cdr.dmg"):
            remove("/tmp/HighSierra.cdr.dmg")
        if path.exists("/tmp/HighSierra.iso"):
            remove("/tmp/HighSierra.iso")
        if path.exists(f"{home_dir}/HighSierra.iso"):
            remove(f"{home_dir}/HighSierra.iso")
    finally:
        sys.exit()