Applescript to mimic behavior of folder on desktop

Question

Level 1

71 points

Applescript to mimic behavior of folder on desktop

I am unfortunately a complete novice with Applescript. I would like to write a script that mimics the behavior of a folder icon in the Finder. So that if I save it as a compiled app:

(1) if I drag a file to the app, it moves the file into a folder pre-specified in the script (call it "~/Desktop/My\ Folder") and

(2) if I just double-click on the app, it just opens that folder in Finder.

My attempts to create something, modeled on scripts I see online, are not working out. Would very much appreciate help — thank you!!

(Invoking Automator would also be fine.)

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 12, 2019 10:24 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Camelot

Level 9

55,305 points

Oct 14, 2019 12:31 PM in response to dpdpdp

This is pretty straightforward.

Save the following script as an application. Turn off the 'Show startup screen' option in the Save dialog

You need to change the 'property destFolder...' line to the path to the directory you want to target.

use AppleScript version "2.4" -- Yosemite (10.10) or later

use scripting additions

property destFolder : "Macintosh HD:Users:you:folder name" -- edit this!

on run

-- Executed when the app is double-clicked:

tell application "Finder" to open folder destFolder

end run

on open of theFiles

-- Executed when files are dropped on the script:

repeat with aFile in theFiles

tell application "Finder"

move aFile to folder destFolder

end tell

end repeat

end open

Reply

Answer 2

dpdpdp Author

Level 1

71 points

Oct 15, 2019 10:53 AM in response to Camelot

thank you!

Reply

Applescript to mimic behavior of folder on desktop

Similar questions