Given that locking a folder in Finder only prevents copying files into it, not changing the files inside of it!
I'm asking on behalf of a friend using macOS Mojave, who can't type, he solely uses voice recognition so terminal commands are an absolute last resort! I would only walk him through dictating those if the only other option is to spend more than $10.
Additionally, the command or utility must cause the lock symbol to appear in the Finder as well!
90% of what I do on the Mac is controlled by voice commands. It sounds like your buddy has enhanced dictation set up on his computer already. If so, if this following AppleScript code was saved in Script Editor.app as "Make Read Only.scpt" ...
tell application "Finder"
set selectedItemsRef to a reference to (get selection)
set itemCount to count of selectedItemsRef
if itemCount is 1 and class of item 1 of selectedItemsRef is folder then
set selectedFolder to (item 1 of selectedItemsRef) as alias
set folderItemsRef to a reference to entire contents of selectedFolder
set locked of folderItemsRef to false
set {everyones privileges of folderItemsRef, group privileges of folderItemsRef, owner privileges of folderItemsRef} to {read only, read only, read only}
set locked of item 1 of selectedItemsRef to false
set {everyones privileges of selectedFolder, group privileges of selectedFolder, owner privileges of selectedFolder} to {read only, read only, read only}
set locked of folderItemsRef to true
set locked of item 1 of selectedItemsRef to true
else if itemCount is 1 and class of item 1 of selectedItemsRef is document file then
set selectedFile to (item 1 of selectedItemsRef) as alias
set locked of selectedFile to false
set {everyones privileges of selectedFile, group privileges of selectedFile, owner privileges of selectedFile} to {read only, read only, read only}
end if
if itemCount is greater than 1 then
set selectedFolders to (items of selectedItemsRef) as alias list
repeat with i in selectedFolders
set folderItemsRef to (a reference to entire contents of i) --
if locked of folderItemsRef is true then set locked of folderItemsRef to false
if locked of i is true then set locked of i to false
set {everyones privileges of folderItemsRef, group privileges of folderItemsRef, owner privileges of folderItemsRef} to {read only, read only, read only}
set {everyones privileges of i, group privileges of i, owner privileges of i} to {read only, read only, read only}
end repeat
repeat with i in selectedItemsRef
set locked of i to true
end repeat
end if
end tell
With that new "Make Read Only.scpt" script file selected in Finder and with Dictation currently active, out loud speak the phrase "Make This Speakable".
After speaking that phrase, this window should pop up.
Then, just as in this next image, locate and choose the file "Make Read Only.scpt"
After that new Dictation Command has been saved, you can double check that everything was done correctly by going to System Preferences / Accessibility / Dictation... Then open the Dictation Commands window and make sure your new command is in there.
Now after all of that setup has been completed, anytime a folder or file is selected in Finder (while enhanced Dictation is enabled and active), speak the phrase "Make Read Only". If a folder or multiple folders are selected in Finder, the Permissions of the folders and all of its contents will be set to "read only" and that the folders will be set to "locked". If only a single file is selected in Finder, it's Permissions will be set to "read only"
I have run several tests with several different scenarios and I think I have found and corrected all the bugs in the script. Be sure to test everything out a few times and let me know if you find any bugs In the code.
Select the folder of interest in Finder. Type Command - i to get info. This brings up the 'Get Info' window shown below.
At the bottom of the window you can see the current permissions for all enclosed files. You can then change the permissions to suit you by following the steps on the image below.
