How to Duplicate a Layer Multiple Times Not Using Command-J (macOS)

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@WordWeaver wrote:

So, what is the secret for accomplishing this simple task?

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Scripting is the secret!

An action can repeat a fixed amount of times, so it has limitations. A script can use a variable rather than a fixed value.

/*
Repeat Layer.jsx
v1.0 - Stephen Marsh, 14th January 2022
Note: No check is performed against the layer kind
https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-to-drawl-in-multiple-layers-in-photoshop/td-p/12657971
*/

#target photoshop

function main() {

    if (app.documents.length > 0) {

        // Loop the input prompt until a number is entered
        var userInput;
        while (isNaN(userInput = prompt("Enter the layer repeat quantity required:", "2")));
        // Test if cancel returns null, then terminate the script
        if (userInput === null) {
            //alert('Script cancelled!');
            return
        }
        // Test if an empty string is returned, then repeat 
        while (userInput.length === 0) {
            userInput = prompt("Blank value not accepted, please enter the layer repeat quantity required:", "");
        }
        // Convert decimal input to integer
        var dupeValue = parseInt(userInput);
        // Iterate the dupe
        for (var i = 0; i < dupeValue; i++) {
            // Select front layer hack to control layer creation order
            var idselect = stringIDToTypeID("select");
            var desc1307 = new ActionDescriptor();
            var idnull = stringIDToTypeID("null");
            var ref436 = new ActionReference();
            var idlayer = stringIDToTypeID("layer");
            var idordinal = stringIDToTypeID("ordinal");
            var idfront = stringIDToTypeID("front");
            ref436.putEnumerated(idlayer, idordinal, idfront);
            desc1307.putReference(idnull, ref436);
            var idmakeVisible = stringIDToTypeID("makeVisible");
            desc1307.putBoolean(idmakeVisible, false);
            var idlayerID = stringIDToTypeID("layerID");
            var list112 = new ActionList();
            list112.putInteger(26);
            desc1307.putList(idlayerID, list112);
            executeAction(idselect, desc1307, DialogModes.NO);
            // Duplicate layer
            app.activeDocument.activeLayer.duplicate();
        }
        // Select the top layer
        app.activeDocument.activeLayer = app.activeDocument.layers[0];
    } else {
        alert('A document must be open to use this script!');
    }
}
app.activeDocument.suspendHistory("Repeat Layer.jsx", "main()");

Instructions:

1. Copy the code text to the clipboard
2. Open a new blank file in a plain-text editor (not word-processor)
3. Paste the code in
4. Save the text file as Repeat Layer.txt
5. Rename the file extension from .txt to .jsx
6. Install or browse to the .jsx file to run