Jumping Desktops Using Automator on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're looking for ways to streamline your workflow and reduce the time spent in terminal windows, then learning how to use Automator on your Mac is a great place to start. This powerful tool allows you to create custom applications that can perform a variety of tasks with just a few clicks.

In this article, we'll explore how to use Automator to create an application that invokes an AppleScript to restart or shut down your computer using gestures on the trackpad. We'll also cover some other cool options and shortcuts that you can try out.

Before we get started, let's take a quick look at why Automator is such a valuable tool for Mac users. By creating custom applications, you can simplify complex tasks and make them easier to perform with just a few clicks. This can help you work more efficiently and reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks.

Now that we've covered the benefits of Automator, let's dive into the steps needed to create our application. To get started, open Automator and choose the 'Application' template. Then, in the workflow editor, drag an 'Action' block onto the canvas and select the 'Run AppleScript' action.

Next, click on the disclosure triangle next to the 'AppleScript' field and enter the following script:

```

tell application 'System Events'

tell process 'loginwindow'

click menu item 'Restart...' of menu 1 of menu bar item 'Shut Down' of menu bar 1

end tell

```

This script will restart your computer when you run it. To create a shut down option, simply change the menu item name to 'Shut Down...'.

Once you've entered the script, click on the 'File' menu and select 'Save As'. Choose a location for your application and give it a name (such as 'Restart Computer').

Now that we have our application created, let's add some gestures to invoke it using Better Touch Tool. To do this, open Better Touch Tool and create a new gesture.

In the 'Gesture' field, enter a name for your gesture (such as 'Restart Computer'). Then, in the 'Trigger' field, select 'Swipe Left'. Finally, click on the 'Assign Action' button and select our 'Restart Computer' application.

Repeat these steps to create a shut down option using a different gesture. You can also customize your gestures by assigning them to different parts of the trackpad or by creating custom shortcuts.

Finally, let's take a look at some other cool options that you can try out with Automator and Better Touch Tool. For example, you can use Automator to create an application that sends a file to a specific location on your Mac. You can also use Better Touch Tool to invoke this application using a custom gesture.

In conclusion, jumping desktops using Automator on Mac is a great way to streamline your workflow and reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks. By creating custom applications and gestures, you can simplify complex tasks and make them easier to perform with just a few clicks. Whether you're looking for ways to improve your productivity or simply want to explore the capabilities of your Mac, Automator and Better Touch Tool are two powerful tools that are definitely worth checking out.

Jumping desktops using automator mac