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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMac’s built-in Automator can turn repeat file chores into a Finder command, an automatic folder trigger, or a workflow that uses scripts. Choose a Quick Action when you want to run a task on selected files, a Folder Action when files should be processed as they arrive, and a script action when the built-in steps do not cover what you need.
Choose the right Mac file automation
| Your task | Start with | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Run a task on selected Finder files when you choose | Quick Action | Places a workflow in Finder or Services. For it to appear in Finder, configure it to receive files as input. Apple’s Automator guide and Quick Actions guide describe the setup and availability. |
| Process files as they are added to a folder | Folder Action | Attaches a workflow to a Finder folder and passes newly added items into it. See Apple’s Folder Action instructions. |
| Reuse an older Automator workflow in Shortcuts | Import the workflow | Shortcuts can migrate almost any Automator workflow, but an unsupported action may trigger an alert. Review the imported shortcut before relying on it. See Apple’s migration guide. |
| Do something the available actions do not support | Add a script action | Automator supports shell commands, AppleScript, and JavaScript actions. Test the workflow before saving. See Apple’s scripting instructions. |
Create a workflow in Automator
Automator assembles workflows from actions: individual steps that run in order. Apple describes it as a way to make custom workflows without needing to know complicated programming or scripting languages. The available workflow types serve different purposes, so select one that matches when and how you want the task to run. For the general workflow setup, see Apple’s Automator guide.
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- Open Automator and choose File > New.
- Select a workflow type, such as Quick Action or Folder Action.
- Add actions from the library, then arrange them in the order you want them to run.
- Configure the workflow’s inputs or folder trigger as appropriate, then save it.
- Run a test and inspect Automator’s log. Actions execute from the top down; the log reports status and shows warnings or errors if problems occur. Apple documents this behavior in its workflow log guide.
Exact labels and available actions can vary by macOS release. Apple’s Automator documentation includes versioned material for macOS 15 as well as guides covering Tahoe 26 and earlier releases, so consult the guide for the version installed on your Mac.
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Make a Finder Quick Action for selected files
A Quick Action is for a task you start yourself, such as applying an operation to files you have selected. During setup, specify what input the workflow receives and which app processes it. Apple documents Quick Actions as available through Finder and Services, but Finder only shows Quick Actions configured to receive files as input. If it is missing from Finder, check that input setting first.
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- In Automator, choose File > New, then select Quick Action.
- Set the workflow to receive the relevant files as input and choose the processing app if the setup asks for one.
- Add and order the actions that should operate on those files, then save.
- In Finder, select a file and look for the action in the Finder Quick Actions menu. If it does not appear, confirm the workflow is configured to receive files.
For Apple’s current setup and Finder instructions, see its Automator guide and Mac Help on Quick Actions.
Automatically handle files added to a folder
A Folder Action runs when items are added to a folder you attach it to. Those added items become the workflow’s input. For example, you could build a workflow to route incoming files into another location or rename them; the exact result depends on the actions you add.
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- In Automator, choose File > New, then select Folder Action.
- Choose the Finder folder to watch.
- Add the actions you want to run on incoming items and save the workflow.
- Test by adding a copy of a file to that folder, then inspect the result and Automator’s log.
Apple defines the trigger as items being added to the selected folder. See Apple’s instructions for creating a Folder Action.
Extend a workflow with scripts—and test safely
If the action library does not include the operation you need, Automator can run shell commands, AppleScript, or JavaScript as workflow actions. Scripting is optional: use built-in actions when they are sufficient, and add a script only for the work that requires it.
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Apple advises testing a workflow before saving it. For workflows that rename, move, or otherwise change files, a prudent test is to use copies in a separate folder first. Check the output and Automator log before applying the workflow to important files. Apple’s instructions are in Use scripts in workflows.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bring an Automator workflow into Shortcuts
To move an existing workflow into Apple’s newer shortcut interface, open its .workflow file with Shortcuts or drag the file into the app. Apple says almost any existing Automator workflow can be migrated. If Shortcuts cannot support an action, it identifies the issue with an alert; inspect the imported shortcut and its actions before depending on it. Migration does not guarantee that every workflow will work unchanged.
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Shortcuts represents a task as one or more actions, and its actions can interact with apps, device content, and internet services. Availability of some apps, services, and content can vary by region. See Apple’s migration guide and introduction to Shortcuts.
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