macOS – How to Open Multiple Applications with a Single Icon

applicationsdockmacos

When I use Mac, I tend to have to open a stack of applications at once, specifically:

  • Unity Hub
  • Visual Studio
  • Terminal
  • Opera

OR

  • MAMP
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Opera
  • Terminal

So I was thinking about adding an icon on the dock or on the desktop to start all these applications with a single click. Is there a way?

Up to now I just found a way to do this with BASH, but I should run it from the terminal…

Best Answer

Yes, you can use Automator to create a workflow as an application, adding as many Launch Application actions as you wish. I'd also add a Pause action in between.

You can then drag the application from Finder onto the Dock if you wish.

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Or you could use AppleScript in Script Editor, saved as an application, using as many tell application "appName" to launch statements. I'd also add a delay command in-between each.

Example AppleScript code:

property appNamesList : {"Chess", "Contacts", "Dictionary", "Font Book"}

repeat with appName in appNamesList
    tell application appName to launch
    delay 2
end repeat
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