HOM 24: Writing Your Own Folder Actions with Automator - An Easier Way to Create a Script

Hands-On Mac (Video)

English - August 28, 2020 19:00 - 13 minutes - 156 MB Video - ★★★★★ - 44 ratings
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Previous Episode: HOM 23: Using Hazel with Folder Actions

Next Episode: HOM 25: Finder Tips

Now it's time to really make folder actions sing with your own custom code. You can do this in Automator or Applescript (easier), or using a scripting language like shell, python, or Perl (advanced).

Follow these steps in order:

Create a script with Script Editor or another script application.

1. In that script, write a handler that conforms to the syntax documented here for the `[adding folder items to] ' folder action. Your handler can use the aliases that are passed to it to access the image files dropped on the folder.
2. Save the script as a compiled script or script bundle.
3. Put a copy of the script in `/Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts` or `~/Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts`.
4. Use the Folder Actions Setup application, located in `/Applications/AppleScript`, to:
a. Enable folder actions for your image folder.
b. Add a script to that folder, choosing the script you created

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Host: Leo Laporte

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