How to correctly launch a python application in the Mac OS X dock?

Solution 1:

You can use py2app to create MacOS apps from Python scripts.

Solution 2:

For the Dock in Mac OS X to think your application is a true Mac OS X application it needs to be an application bundle. Alternatively have you tried running it with a .command file instead? A user double clicks on the .command file and it will execute the instructions in Terminal - which may fix the issue you have but from your question I'm not sure why it would not be running correctly.

With the application in question have you looked at a modification to use py2app

Additionally, what about Platypus? If your script is making the app GUI after the fact or on it's own it may work. Just set Platypus to not show a GUI itself. (EDIT: Sorry - I forgot to mention this one originally)