ExManCmd 7.11.1 Update for Apple Silicon

An ExManCmd FAQ.

As of March 10th, 2021 ExManCmd 7.11.1 is now available for download:

• Windows download: http://www.adobe.com/go/ExManCmdWin
• macOS download: http://www.adobe.com/go/ExManCmdMac

The links above point to the most recent version available.

Release Notes:

• 7.11.1 works on computers using Apple silicon / M1 processors
• The Creative Cloud Desktop app dependency from 7.11 has been rolled back for Feature Restricted License environments (FRL).

ExManCmd is a command line tool, usually used by our Enterprise customers, to install plugins and extensions. Here’s our help page for Enterprise Admins packaging extensions using the Admin Console.

Recent Changes

Back in October, I announced that ExManCmd 7.11 was rolling out with CEP 10. This introduced some important changes that some readers may have missed:

• ExManCmd 7.11 required users to have Creative Cloud Desktop app installed; this has been rolled back with 7.11.1.
• The installation path and log file locations changed between 7.10 and 7.11.
• The first time you run 7.11, a new database file is populated in the new location.

Because of the database change, ExManCmd 7.11 is not backwards compatible with ExManCmd 7.10. A one-time database migration should be triggered the first time you run 7.11. (There is no way to manually trigger this migration.)

Here’s a closer look at the log paths:

ExManCmd 7.10 log paths:

Windows: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Extension Manager CC\Log\

macOS: /Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Extension Manager CC/Log/

ExManCmd 7.11 log paths:

Windows: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\UPI\Log\

macOS: /Users/<user name>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/UPI/Log/

Steps for collecting logs: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/troubleshoot-common-addon-installation-issues.html?mv=product&mv2=accc#still-facing-issues

ExManCmd Errors -403 or -411

ExManCmd error codes -403 or -411 mean: “Compatible Creative Cloud app not found.”

If you know for certain your plugin or extension is compatible with the version of a Creative Cloud app you have installed, here are a few ways to troubleshoot:

• You may be using an old version of ExManCmd that does not support the latest Creative Cloud apps. In this case, simply update to the latest version of ExManCmd (http://www.adobe.com/go/ExManCmdWin or http://www.adobe.com/go/ExManCmdMac). More information on ExManCmd version numbers is included below.
• It’s possible that when you updated to ExManCmd 7.11 the database file did not update correctly. The easiest way to solve this issue is by using a third party tool like Anastasiy’s Extension Manager. Read on for other troubleshooting steps.

How can I tell which version of ExManCmd I have?

Besides looking at the modification date, you may dig into ExManCmd to find the version:

Above I’ve unzipped the ExManCmd archive, looked inside Contents/MacOS/ExManCmd and looked at the file information (also available via Cmd + i or File -> Get Info). The process is similar for Windows.

There’s no - version flag? No, not at this time. I’ve requested one for the next command line tool release. (Please look forward to it.)

Which version of ExManCmd is compatible with my Creative Cloud app?

The chart below is adapted from this chart in the CEP Cookbook:

This table is also available on Airtable.

Where can I download ExManCmd?

The latest ExManCmd (at the time of this writing, 7.11.1) is available in the following locations:

• http://www.adobe.com/go/ExManCmdWin
• http://www.adobe.com/go/ExManCmdMac

Note: Older versions of ExManCmd are not available for download.

Where can I download Adobe Extension Manager?

Please note that Adobe Extension Manager was deprecated in 2015 and is no longer available for download.

Can ExManCmd install Adobe XD plugins or UXP plugins for Photoshop?

Newer UXP-based plugins developed using the Unified Extensibility Platform, use a .ccx file format (previously .xdx for Adobe XD). UXP-based plugins cannot be installed via ExManCmd. They are typically installed via double-clicking the .ccx file, or through the Creative Cloud Desktop App’s Manage tab. Enterprise Admins can distribute UXP plugins through the Admin console.

Third Party Installation Tools

As an alternative to ExManCmd or the Creative Cloud Desktop app, you may also install extensions or plugins using the following popular tools:

• Anastasiy’s Extension Manager: Anastasiy’s Extension Manager can also fix some conflicts between ExManCmd 7.10 and 7.11
• ZXP Installer — Please note ZXP Installer runs on ExManCmd 7.5 and is no longer updated, which may cause conflicts with newer Creative Cloud apps and newer ExManCmd versions.

Troubleshooting At Your Own Risk

Some users have also reported that disabling SIP was useful for macOS (this is not recommended).

The following is not a recommended troubleshooting step. Make sure your system and important files are backed up before attempting it: Some users have solved serious ExManCmd errors by deleting the ExManCmd.db file. (Again, this is not a recommended step.) To achieve the same effect going forward, you’ll need to delete both the UPISys.db and the UPI.db file.

ExMan.db file paths:

macOS:/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Extension Manager CC/Configuration/DB/ExMan.db
Windows: C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Extension Manager CC\Configuration\DB\ExMan.db

UPI.db and UPISys.db file paths:

macOS:/Users/<user>/Library/Application\ Support/Adobe/ UPI/Configuration\DB/UPI.db
macOS:/Library/Application\ Support/Adobe/UPI/Configuration/DB/UPISys.db
Windows: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\UPI\Configuration\DB\UPI.db
Windows:C:\ProgramData\Adobe\UPI\Configuration\DB\UPISys.db

Where can I get more help?

If you are continuing to experience ExManCmd problems, collect your log files according to these instructions. Then, email either of the following:

• Plugin/Extension Users: asupport@adobe.com
• Plugin/Extension Developers: ccintrev@adobe.com

More ExManCmd Help Channels

If you didn’t find what you were looking for in this article, here are some other way to get assistance with ExManCmd.

Forum Help:

• Exchange Forum for ZXP/CEP plugins, ExManCmd label
• Creative Cloud Developer Prerelease Program (requires an NDA); ExManCmd forum category.

Enterprise Customers using Plugins/Extensions:

• How to contact your Enterprise Administrator (if you don’t know who your admin is.)
• If you are an Adobe Admin, you can create a case, start a chat, or manage an existing case from the Admin Console’s support tab (more information on this helpx page).
• Email: ccexchange@adobe.com
• Paid support options for complex issues.

Adobe Employees:

• Use the Exchange JIRA board: EXCH (Adobe employees only). It’s helpful to include the log files and ExManCmd.db file as attachments when opening a ticket.
• Ask in the #exmancmd Slack channel (Adobe employees only)

How to Stay Up to Date

Sign up for our Creative Cloud Developer Newsletter, where we announce ExManCmd releases. You may also subscribe to Creative Cloud content on the Adobe Tech blog.

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