---
tags:
  - macOS
  - Tahoe
  - shortcuts
  - automator
  - automation
  - productivity
title: Workflow Automation with Shortcuts and Automator on macOS Tahoe
---

# Workflow Automation with Shortcuts and Automator on macOS Tahoe

While the Terminal offers powerful scripting capabilities (see [Scripting with Zsh on macOS Tahoe](zsh-scripting.md)), macOS Tahoe also provides user-friendly, visual tools for automation: **Shortcuts** and **Automator**.

## Shortcuts

Shortcuts is the modern automation app for macOS, shared with iOS and iPadOS. It allows you to drag and drop actions to create powerful workflows.

### Creating a Basic Shortcut

1.  Open the **Shortcuts** app.
2.  Click the **+** button in the toolbar to create a new shortcut.
3.  **Search for Actions**: In the right sidebar, search for actions like "Resize Image" or "Send Message".
4.  **Drag and Drop**: Drag actions into the main editor area.
5.  **Configure**: Connect them logically. For example:
    *   *Select Photos*
    *   *Resize Image* to 640px wide
    *   *Save File* to Downloads
6.  Click the **Play** button to test it.

### Running Shortcuts

You can run shortcuts from:
*   The Shortcuts app.
*   The Menu Bar (if pinned).
*   Spotlight Search.
*   Siri ("Hey Siri, run Resize Image").
*   The Services menu (Right-click on a file > Quick Actions).

## Automator

Automator is the legacy automation tool. While Shortcuts is replacing it for most tasks, Automator remains superior for specific system-level triggers, such as **Folder Actions**.

### Creating a Folder Action

A Folder Action runs a script automatically whenever a file is added to a specific folder.

1.  Open **Automator**.
2.  Choose **Folder Action** as the document type.
3.  At the top, select the folder you want to watch (e.g., "Downloads").
4.  **Add Actions**: Drag actions from the library.
    *   *Example*: "Import Files into Photos" or "Rename Finder Items".
5.  **Save**: Save the workflow. It is now active immediately.

### Application Workflows

You can also create standalone "Applications" (droplets).
1.  Choose **Application** in Automator.
2.  Add actions (e.g., "Create PDF").
3.  Save it to your Desktop.
4.  Drag any file onto this new app icon to process it immediately.

For text-based automation, refer to [Automating Tasks with Cron on macOS Tahoe](cron.md).