MacOS – Is it possible to modify the behavior of Finder UI elements with AppleScript

applescriptfindermacos

I wrote an AppleScript that scans my entire iTunes library and tags those files with their Genre (so I can easily access them in Finder by just clicking the right tag).

The next step on my list would be to "modify" the Finder behavior. What I exactly mean is that I want to be able to double click a tag in the Finder window and then all music files that are tagged should be added to a playlist and that playlist should be started.

I have no idea if that is even possible. But if it is, I would really like to get some ideas where I have to start to achieve my goal.

I already googled a bit but couldn't find anything that goes into that direction.
One of my thoughts would be a kind of 'broadcast feature' where AppleScripts may register for specific UI elements and if the user triggers something the script gets informed.

Hopefully someone has a clue and might be able to help me out!

Best Answer

This is currently not possible with AppleScript. AppleScript can't bind itself to the UI in that way.

Related Solutions

MacOS – Save the URL in Finder as a bookmark via Automator

You could install tag with for example brew install tag and then use a script like this:

set tags to text returned of (display dialog "" default answer "")
tell application "Safari" to tell document 1 to set {u, t} to {URL, name}
tell application "Finder"
    make new internet location file at POSIX file "/Users/username/Bookmarks" to u with properties {name:t}
    set p to POSIX path of (result as alias)
end tell
do shell script "/usr/local/bin/tag -s " & quoted form of tags & " " & quoted form of p

For Chrome, use tell application "Google Chrome" to tell tab 1 of window 1 to set {u, t} to {URL, title}. Separate the tags with commas in the dialog.

MacOS – Limit the scope of tag search in Finder on Mavericks

You can't get there from the tag view accessed from the sidebar, but if you navigate to the directory you want to search, and type the tag you're looking for, it will find files in that directory.

directory to search, with enclosed files resulting search

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MacOS – Save the URL in Finder as a bookmark via Automator

MacOS – Limit the scope of tag search in Finder on Mavericks

Related Question