Automation & Scripting

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Learn about scripting languages and automation frameworks available on the platform to automate repetitive tasks.

Automation & Scripting Documentation

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Cannot instantiate VIP object/property out of mail app
Is VIP an object contained in the mail or contacts apps/objects? Or is it just a property somewhere? Or is it an independent object? Where is the VIP object? Is it still managed in the mail app or is it just hidden because the design is changing at Apple? The following AppleScript is failing: tell application "Mail" set theVIPs to VIPs with the error: error "Die Variable „VIPs“ ist nicht definiert." number -2753 from "VIPs" (The variable "VIPs" is not defined.". In Mail.sdef documentation and in Contacts.sdef documentation I cannot find any documentation of VIP object or VIP property.
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109
May ’25
terminal fulldisk access fails for tmutil latestbackup
I am on MacOS 15.5 trying to access tmutil latestbackup in AppleScript: set latestBackup to do shell script "tmutil latestbackup" It works perfect when run from script editor, and script editor is in full disk access permission list. When I export to an app and run it it fails with: Error retrieving latest backup: tmutil: latestbackup requires Full Disk Access privileges. To allow this operation, select Full Disk Access in the Privacy tab of the Security & Privacy preference pane, and add Terminal to the list of applications which are allowed Full Disk Access. Error code: 80 Terminal is on list, as is name of the app. I have same issue running in safe mode. I have tried deleting and redefining full disk access entries, all to no avail. Apple tech support says its a developer issue, but code works in script editor. any ideas?
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109
May ’25
Does INIntent no longer work on macOS? Can't get shortcut to show up in Shortcuts app
Was going to add a shortcut to an app via INIntent. I followed the WWDC developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2021/10232/?time=986 Steps: Created a .intentdefinition file and created an intent. Added the intent to .intentdefinition and compiled the app. Import the header file for the custom intent in the AppDelegate MyIntentname.h Have the AppDelegate conform to the protocol created in the generated code. Implement: -application:handlerForIntent: and return self (the app delegate) Run the app. Open the Shortcuts app and search for the 'shortcut' (according to the WWDC video linked above it should show up in the actions list). Doesn't show up in the list. I tried moving the build application out from Debug to my Applications folder to see if that would help the Shortcuts app find it, but it didn't. Am I missing a step/doing something wrong?
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103
May ’25
osascript System Events Failed to list Processes That Have The Same Name
I ran the following script while both VSCode and Windsurf were open. tell application "System Events" set electronProcesses to every application process whose name is "Electron" set outputText to "" repeat with p in electronProcesses set outputText to outputText & "Process: " & name of p set outputText to outputText & ", Displayed name: " & displayed name of p set outputText to outputText & ", Frontmost: " & frontmost of p & " " end repeat return outputText end tell The script incorrectly returned two Electron processes, where both were showing Windsurf as the displayed name. The output of the above script is: Process: Electron, Displayed name: Windsurf, Frontmost: false Process: Electron, Displayed name: Windsurf, Frontmost: false Separately, both Windsurf and VSCode share the same process name (Electron) but have different displayed names. This issue appears to affect how the frontmost application is detected, when using the following script: set frontApp to first application process whose frontmost is true The frontApp is incorrectly returned when switching between VSCode and Windsurf.
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166
May ’25
Best Practice for Confirming Siri Shortcuts Availability Before Prompting User Interaction
I'm developing an iOS app that uses Siri Shortcuts to enhance the user experience. Currently, I have implemented functionality that allows users to perform certain actions via Siri Shortcuts. My team wants to improve the user experience by giving an instructional audio prompt (e.g., "say 'hey Siri [action name]' if you want to [perform action]") to users. However, we want to ensure this prompt is only played when the user has already enabled Siri Shortcuts. The challenge is determining whether Siri Shortcuts are properly enabled before suggesting their use. We want to avoid situations where users follow our audio instructions to use Siri, only to discover that Siri Shortcuts aren't properly configured on their device. Since we're using Siri Shortcuts for this feature, the standard requestSiriAuthorization(_:) method doesn't apply to our use case(It said You don’t need to request authorization if your app only supports actions in the Shortcuts app. in https://developer.apple.com/documentation/sirikit/requesting-authorization-to-use-siri). What is the recommended approach to verify that Siri Shortcuts are properly enabled before prompting users to interact with them? Is there a reliable way to check this status(should be the bool value of the toggle in the pic below) programmatically? Thank you for your assistance.
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141
Jun ’25
How to initialize OpenIntent parameter when returning OpensIntent in perform
I have an app that lets you create cars. I have a CarEntity, an OpenCarIntent, and a CreateCarIntent. I want to support the Open When Run option when creating a car. I understand to do this, you just update the return type of your perform function to include & OpensIntent, then change your return value to include opensIntent: OpenCarIntent(target: carEntity). When I do this, I get a compile-time error: Cannot convert value of type 'CarEntity' to expected argument type 'IntentParameter<CarEntity>' What am I doing wrong here? struct CreateCarIntent: ForegroundContinuableIntent { static let title: LocalizedStringResource = "Create Car" @Parameter(title: "Name") var name: String @MainActor func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult & ReturnsValue<CarEntity> & OpensIntent { let managedObjectContext = PersistenceController.shared.container.viewContext let car = Car(context: managedObjectContext) car.name = name try await managedObjectContext.perform { try managedObjectContext.save() } let carEntity = CarEntity(car: car) return .result( value: carEntity, opensIntent: OpenCarIntent(target: carEntity) // FIXME: Won't compile ) } } struct OpenCarIntent: OpenIntent { static let title: LocalizedStringResource = "Open Car" @Parameter(title: "Car") var target: CarEntity @MainActor func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult { await UIApplication.shared.open(URL(string: "carapp://cars/view?id=\(target.id)")!) return .result() } }
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160
Jun ’25
How to donate IndexedEntity, if required in iOS 26
In the Get to Know App Intents WWDC session, it was said New this year, you can now add Spotlight indexing keys directly on properties. Annotating properties allows Spotlight to show more relevant information to customers. When donating indexed entities, the framework will handle creating the searchable item and attribute set for you. After donating entities, they can be found in Spotlight. How do you donate indexed app entities? Making app entities available in Spotlight seems to state it's not necessary to donate entities: The system can automatically extract the keys for Spotlight indexing at compile time and store them in the App Intents metadata that Xcode generates as part of your app’s bundle. As a result, Spotlight indexing is faster and can find your app entities without launching your app, and without you having to explicitly donate the entities to Spotlight. You also don’t need to manually update or remove entities from the Spotlight index when your app’s data changes. Say I have a CarEntity. The user can create/update/delete cars at any time. What is the modern way to get cars to appear in Spotlight in iOS 26?
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154
Jun ’25
Accessing Safari URL using com.apple.security.scripting-targets entitlement?
I've created an app that grabs the current URL and Title/name from the frontmost window/tab of Safari or any of a number of Chromium browsers, using NSAppleScript. The app sits in the menu bar and can be summoned by shortcut key combo. let script = """ tell application \"Safari\" if not (exists front window) then return {\"\", \"\"} set theTab to current tab of front window set theURL to URL of theTab set theTitle to name of theTab return {theURL, theTitle} end tell """ if let appleScript = NSAppleScript(source: script) { let output = appleScript.executeAndReturnError(&error) if output.numberOfItems == 2 { let url = output.atIndex(1)?.stringValue let title = output.atIndex(2)?.stringValue if let url = url, !url.isEmpty { return (url, title) } } } If I sign an archived build and run it locally it works beautifully, no matter which browser I am using. But the URL/title grabbing breaks in sandbox due to permissions. I read and have been informed that I need to use com.apple.security.scripting-targets entitlement. The example for this is in WWDC 2012 and talks about accessing Mail compose window. <key>com.apple.security.scripting-targets</key> <dict> <key>com.apple.mail</key> <array> <string>com.apple.mail.compose</string> </array> </dict> However, I don't want to control the app or use any access groups, as I've looked through the sdef and Safari/Chrome do not provide any access groups whose contents I'm interested in. I just want to get the property/values of a window/tab. So I think I could be quite restrictive about the read-only access to two properties or objects that I need. That said, I'm going back and forth with TestFlight review kind of shooting in the dark. I need help! So I figure it's time to ask: what content should my entitlement have? Or am I on the wrong path entirely? I know it's possible because an app called Neptunes does it to get properties from Music.app Many thanks in advance, matt
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151
Jun ’25
How to get the "Is Completed" and "Is Not Completed" Filter in Shortcuts app like Reminders
When we use the "Find All Reminders" shortcut, there's these two filters "Is Completed and "Is Not Completed". When I implement this in my app, the best I could get is just "Completed" and "Not Completed", I can't figure out how to add the "Is" in front. In my entity: @Property(title: "Completed") var completed : Bool In the EntityPropertyQuery: static var properties = QueryProperties { Property(\GTDItemAppEntity.$list) { EqualToComparator { NSPredicate(format: "list.uuid = %@", $0.id as NSUUID) } } Property(\GTDItemAppEntity.$text) { ContainsComparator { NSPredicate(format: "text CONTAINS[cd] %@", $0) } EqualToComparator { NSPredicate(format: "text = %@", $0) } } Property(\GTDItemAppEntity.$completed) { EqualToComparator { NSPredicate(format: $0 ? "completed = YES" : "completed = NO") } } } If I change the property to @Property(title: "Is Completed") var completed : Bool Then it will show as "Is Completed" and "Not Is Completed" in the filter! Reminder: My App:
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162
Jul ’25
I want the "Folder" property of a folder not it's class.
I'm trying to set a boolean value to myVariable using the "Folder" property, but the Applescript editor keeps interpreting it as a class. Here is a shorted code. this is part of a bigger code to identify files dropped into a folder and create a new folder which it renames based on the date of the file that is dropped into the folder. Unfortunately, it keeps making folders every time it makes a new folder. Resalting in continuous loop of folders being created and renamed to "2025". The plan is to us an IF condition to prevent the creation of folders when a folder/s are dropped into my folder with my Folder Action. property directory : "Catalina:Users:Username:Desktop:Folder:File.pdf tell application "Finder" set pathname to POSIX path of directory set item_info to the info for directory set myVariable to Folder of item_info return myVariable end tell I noticed the following when I compile the script The color of the "Folder" is blue. I believe this means it's a class. Normally when I call a property, the color turns pink. it does it correctly when I use "set the file_name to the "name" of this_file". I also tried declaring the "Folder" property in brackets "Folder". did not help I noticed the following when I run the script: It returns ---error number -10004 "A privilege violation occurred. When it runs the "info for" command. I gave the Script Editor Full File access, Full Accessibility access and the FolderActionsDispatcher has full Finder access. Can anyone point me in the right direction! What is the cause of the privilege violation or how would I find what the cause is? How do I force the Script Editor to get the "Folder" property of a folder?
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175
Jul ’25
How to configure com.apple.security.scripting-targets in .entitlements file?
I use NSUserAppleScriptTask in my app to call Apple Script method to send Apple Events to Finder and System Events. The script has been deployed in the folder ~/Library/Application Scripts/{app bundle id}/ I have configured the com.apple.security.automation.apple-events in the .entitlements file, but how to configure com.apple.security.scripting-targets to meet the AppStore review requirements The existing official documentation is too incomplete to be of much use. If anyone has had similar experience, could you please share?
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169
Aug ’25
INStartCallIntent requires unlock when device is face down with AirPods
When my Intents extension resolves an INStartCallIntent and returns .continueInApp while the device is locked, the call does not proceed unless the user unlocks the device. After unlocking, the app receives the NSUserActivity and CallKit proceeds normally. My expectation is that the native CallKit outgoing UI should appear and the call should start without requiring unlock — especially when using AirPods, where attention is not available. Steps to Reproduce Pair and connect AirPods. Lock the iPhone. Start music playback (e.g. Apple Music). Place the phone face down (or cover Face ID sensors so attention isn’t available). Say: “Hey Siri, call Tommy with DiscoMonday(My app name).” Observed Behavior Music mutes briefly. Siri says “Calling Tommy with DiscoMonday.” Lock screen shows “Require Face ID / passcode.” After several seconds, music resumes. The app is not launched, no NSUserActivity is delivered, and no CXStartCallAction occurs. With the phone face up, the same phrase launches the app, triggers CXStartCallAction, and the call proceeds via CallKit after faceID. Expected Behavior From the lock screen, Siri should hand off INStartCallIntent to the app, which immediately requests CXStartCallAction and drives the CallKit UI (reportOutgoingCall(...startedConnectingAt:) → ...connectedAt:), without requiring device unlock, regardless of orientation or attention availability when AirPods are connected.
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157
Sep ’25
How do I flatten a PDF using Shortcuts or Automator?
Looking for any method to quickly flatten a PDF without opening Preview and without installing 3 party software. Any ideas? Save as PDF in Preview works, but I don't want to have to open Preview each time I need to do this. The Create PDF action which appears in Finder when you select 2 or more PDFs flattens PDFs, but it requires me to select 2 or more files, and I generally don't want to combine PDFs--I simply wish to flatten a PDF. Most Automator and Shortcuts options I am aware of do not flatten PDFs, and in some cases, strip out form field data from PDFs.
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244
Oct ’25
How to properly localise AppShortcutPhrase?
Hi, I have AppShortcutsProvider in my app target(not as a separate extension) to support Siri command. It is working perfectly in English, but I would also like to add a localisation on it as my app supports multiple languages. struct MyShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider { static let shortcutTileColor: ShortcutTileColor = .grape static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] { AppShortcut( intent: NextClassAppIntents(), phrases: [ "What is my next class in \(.applicationName)?", "What's the next class in \(.applicationName)?", "Next class in \(.applicationName)." ], shortTitle: "Next Class", systemImageName: "calendar.badge.clock" ) } } Xcode String Catalog was doing great jobs, It also detected shortTitle automatically and added that to the Catalog. However, I don't see localisation for those phrases anywhere in the String Catalog and when I try to use String(localized: ), compiler gives me an error. How can I properly localise AppShortcutPhrase?
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90
Oct ’25
Press return
Here is the appleScript part of my script: tell application "Finder" activate open application file "Messages.app" of folder "Applications" of folder "System" of startup disk end tell What I need is a step to send the message already inside the Mesage.app. The message is ready to send. I just would like a step that will act as "Return" to send the message. Again I have already prepared message to send but just need a step to send the message. Is there a possible step to perform the" Return" command to iMessage?
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1w
AppIntents EntityPropertyQuery, how does "Filter Entity where" work?
When you correctly implement EntityPropertyQuery on an AppEntity, Shortcuts will expose a "Find Entity" action that calls into entities(matching:mode:sortedBy:limit:). This is demoed in the "Dive into App Intents" session and works as expected. However, with this action, you can change the "All Entity" input to a list variable which changes the action text from "Find All Entity" to "Filter Entity where" still giving you the same filter, sort and limit options. This appears to work as expected too. But, what's unexpected is that this filter action does not appear to call any method on my AppEntity code. It doesn't call entities(matching:mode:sortedBy:limit:). One would think there would need to be a filter(entities:matching:mode:sortedBy:limit:) to implement this functionality. But Shortcut just seems to do it all on it's own. I'm mostly wondering, how is this even working? Here's some example code: import AppIntents let books = [ BookEntity(id: 0, title: "A Family Affair"), BookEntity(id: 1, title: "Atlas of the Heart"), BookEntity(id: 2, title: "Atomic Habits"), BookEntity(id: 3, title: "Memphis"), BookEntity(id: 4, title: "Run Rose Run"), BookEntity(id: 5, title: "The Maid"), BookEntity(id: 6, title: "The Match"), BookEntity(id: 7, title: "Where the Crawdads Sing"), ] struct BookEntity: AppEntity, Identifiable { static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Book" var displayRepresentation: DisplayRepresentation { DisplayRepresentation(title: "\(title)") } static var defaultQuery = BookQuery() var id: Int @Property(title: "Title") var title: String init(id: Int, title: String) { self.id = id self.title = title } } struct BookQuery: EntityQuery { func entities(for identifiers: [Int]) async throws -> [BookEntity] { return identifiers.map { id in books[id] } } } extension BookQuery: EntityPropertyQuery { static var properties = QueryProperties { Property(\BookEntity.$title) { EqualToComparator { str in { book in book.title == str } } ContainsComparator { str in { book in book.title.contains(str) } } } } static var sortingOptions = SortingOptions { SortableBy(\BookEntity.$title) } func entities( matching comparators: [(BookEntity) -> Bool], mode: ComparatorMode, sortedBy: [Sort<BookEntity>], limit: Int? ) async throws -> [BookEntity] { books.filter { book in comparators.allSatisfy { comparator in comparator(book) } } } } The example Shortcut first invokes entities(matching:mode:sortedBy:limit:) with comparators=[], sortedBy=[], limit=nil to fetch all Book entities. Next the filter step correctly applies the title contains filter but never calls entities(matching:mode:sortedBy:limit:) or even the body of the ContainsComparator. But the output is correctly filtered.
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1.6k
Jul ’25
Not authorized to send Apple events to Microsoft Excel
I have created swift command line project and i have added logic to executing apple script using NSAppleScript. That will launch Microsoft Excel file I am launching this swift command line executable from java using process launch. 3)This is not prompting me. It is throwing exception "Not authorized to send Apple events to Microsoft Excel." I have already tried out this option Added info.plist with NSAppleEventsUsageDescription Added entitlement with com.apple.security.automation.apple-events to true In packages i have selected this entitlement i have select the bundle identifier , team and signing certificate "Development" and automatically manage signing. can you please suggest what could i missed ?
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605
Dec ’24
Batching CatalogSearchRequests for Spotify Playlist conversion
Hi! Im attempting to make a spotify to apple playlist converter and to do so am using the Catalog search functionality of the api. My question is, is there anyway to convert these songs to apple music urls (or ids) that does not spam api calls. I know you can batch catalog searches if you have apple music song ids, but I obviously dont have that since the song was shared from spotify. Any ideas/help is appreciated!
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452
Dec ’24
ShortCuts: Send email with email address as a parameter
Hello everyone, I would like to dictate a text with Shortcuts and then send it to one of two e-mail addresses (private or business). I would like to be able to select one of two email addresses. Unfortunately, I am not able to pass an email address as a parameter to the Send email function. Is it possible to do this? I'm new to apple and I'm all but not a programmer. So take pity on me :) Best, Niko
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449
Dec ’24