# Open OnDemand Support

## Open OnDemand Session Types and Working with Project Paths

### Desktop Sessions

When working with multiple groups, users have the option to select which group corresponds to the session that is created. This is useful when starting a session for a group other than your default primary group. The following updates environment variables such as `$MSIPROJECT` and others listed on the [New Home Directories](https://msi.umn.edu/our-resources/knowledge-base/new-home-directories) page.

Demo: [Desktop and using Group Picker](https://youtu.be/Vo34VBNiYAs)

### Discovering Project Paths

Project (group) paths can be found using a two-step series of commands.

Within a terminal window, such as on [Agate Shell Access](https://ondemand.msi.umn.edu/pun/sys/shell/ssh/agate.msi.umn.edu):

1. Type the command `id -Gn`.
2. Based on the output, select a group and type the command `path_to_project` with the group name to see its filepath printed.

```bash
[vega0051@ahl03 ~ ]$ id -Gn
msistaff support tech techsup tutorial

[vega0051@ahl03 ~ ]$ path_to_project
Usage: path_to_project PROJECT_NAME

[vega0051@ahl03 ~ ]$ path_to_project tutorial
/home/tutorial
```

These paths can be saved to bookmarks that can be utilized by programs such as IGV, IDL, and others.

Within project spaces, MSI advises saving data to the `PROJECT_NAME/shared` directory where members can collaborate and exchange data.

### Creating Bookmarks

Open a [Desktop session on Open OnDemand](https://ondemand.msi.umn.edu/pun/sys/dashboard/batch_connect/sys/bc_msi_desktop/session_contexts/new) and launch the file explorer by clicking on the file cabinet icon at the bottom of the screen.

Type the path of interest into the address bar.

Once the window has loaded, find the shared directory and drag it to the sidebar of the file explorer.

MSI recommends renaming the bookmark for convenience.

Demo: [Creating a bookmark in Thunar](https://youtu.be/mW5FzDV0hIU)

#### IGV - Accessing Shared Directories

IGV supports accessing saved bookmarks. This is useful for creating a bookmark to a shared directory.

Demo: [IGV and accessing a shared directory](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vJgpFL9eSc)

#### RStudio - Setting Work Directory

Within the Console on a session, users can set the working directory to any accessible location such as project space or global scratch.

Demo: [RStudio and setting the work directory](https://youtu.be/1zkM_evUWqk)

#### Jupyter Notebooks - Setting the Work Directory

The root or working directory path for Jupyter sessions can be set *before* starting the session.

Demo: [Jupyter Notebooks and setting the notebook root path](https://youtu.be/LcHo7yAcapE)

#### COMSOL - Accessing Shared Directories

Similar to IGV, bookmarks created using the file explorer can be accessed.

Demo: [COMSOL and loading bookmarks](https://youtu.be/F2g3JHuSu-E)

#### IDL - Accessing Shared Directories

Similar to IGV, bookmarks to paths of interest can be created and saved for easier navigation.

Demo: [IDL and accessing a shared directory](https://youtu.be/EFVTEHXIgFY)

#### ANSYS - Adding Recent Paths

Using the built-in file explorer in this module, paths can be loaded directly into the Open File interface and added to a recent path list.

Demo: [ANSYS and recent paths](https://youtu.be/nJkK7eiIYUQ)