it sucks and blows when you don't read or watch a presentation. automator will continue. Hasn't been supported in years, other than it still works
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Shortcuts App Coming to Mac, Automator Will Remain Supported
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
So did (and do) I. Can‘t see any signs that they will discontinue it - I was worried about Big Sur but when this new era still had AppleScript, I was relieved. And it works as usual on Apple Silicon Macs. So I gonna think it‘s going to stay for a while. I mean, it is around since the early 1990s or so
I think it's the fact it is not being updated/supported well and thus likely to fade into sunset is the concern. I've used it only a bit, but can understand it will frustrate users who've become reliant on it for 15 plus years. But do agree folks need to see how shortcuts function before passing judgment.
The absence of any AppleScript "proof-of-life" doesn't sit well with me and I fear the worst.
The writing is on the wall for Automator. Shortcuts is just as powerful and easy, is cross platform, and AppleScript will remain for the most power user needs until Shortcuts becomes powerful enough to replace it.
I suspect that multi device workflows are a big reason why shortcuts are coming to the Mac.
What I'm most curious about is how Shortcuts binds to keyboard shortcuts. You can bind Automator scripts to keyboard shortcuts, but they can't be app-specific and there's a notable delay before execution. If Shortcuts improves on that, I might try it. If not, I'll stick to FastScripts.
It looks like the AppleEvent Manager has not been deprecated and has even been added to the new version of Catalyst! 😇
See: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/foundation/nsappleeventmanager
As long as the underlying AppleScript subsystem remains a thing, I’ll continue to adopt latest macOS releases.
It’s very handy in specific situations, like getting around the UX quirks of Finder.
It’s very handy in specific situations, like getting around the UX quirks of Finder.
Photos isn't really an Aperture replacement, it's supposed to be an iPhoto replacement.
There really isn't an Aperture replacement, the closest (and Apple's suggested) is Lightroom but it's not as good as Aperture was.
Maybe I do not remember correctly, but when they announced Photos they said, it would replace Aperture and iPhoto and at least on Aperture websites there was much buzz, what would be possible with plugins. And now, even 7 years later Photos sill lacks, even compared to iPhoto.
I do hope, that automation in macOS will not go down the same path.
There was a session about Shortcuts and automation on macOS today. I haven’t had time to watch it yet, but I quickly read the transcript: it looks like Shortcuts has been really well thought. Support for AppleScripts and shell scripts is included, both ways: Shortcuts can launch scripts and apps, and applications and scripts can launch Shortcuts too.
There is also a translator app that can be used to convert “most” of Automator’s workflows into Shortcuts.
Shortcuts can also be cross platform (macOS, iOS and iPadOS).
As I said, I read too quickly to really get all the details, but I think we should not be disappointed. 👍😊
It has a shell script thing, so that is good
Automator is superb thing for automated things and especially for repetitive tasks. It should have been taken off much more, somehow it came back as Shortcuts. Now I don't know whats the fate of AppleScript but I was told that AppleScript can do anything that Automator or Shortcuts can do, so we will still have the capability to do so.
AppleScript, Shortcuts, or Automator whatever it is its great and should be an option in every OS. I think on POSIX systems that same could be done using bash scripts but I am not sure
AppleScript, Shortcuts, or Automator whatever it is its great and should be an option in every OS. I think on POSIX systems that same could be done using bash scripts but I am not sure
It's not only automator, this is the end of Terminal, they going to combine Bash, AppleScript and automator to Shortcuts in the the coming years
interesting to see the final version of it and what that means for mac admins and mass deployment
interesting to see the final version of it and what that means for mac admins and mass deployment
if they get rid of terminal and bash they are going to lose a lot of customers.
Where did you read that? Terminal is essential
not going to remove it, just move it, you will be able to use bash and zsh commands and scripts from the shortcuts.
I haven't read that anywhere, I have seen it in the keynote:
They said: shortcut is the future and it's just the start of a multi year transition starting with automator....and all three apps where shown on the background - yes they start with automator for now, but in five years there will be no terminal as we know it.
And no, I don't think they going to loose any customers with this move, as always everyone will adapt
I haven't read that anywhere, I have seen it in the keynote:
They said: shortcut is the future and it's just the start of a multi year transition starting with automator....and all three apps where shown on the background - yes they start with automator for now, but in five years there will be no terminal as we know it.
And no, I don't think they going to loose any customers with this move, as always everyone will adapt
Working with a shell like bash and using Automator can be used for some task interchangeable, but not for all.
I am not sure if Apple will remove the terminal, I bet some developers at Apple use it too. If rhey do, you will probably be able to install the shell of your choice e.g. from Macports.
People need to let these next two years play out. Darkroom just added shortcuts like to add user/built-in filters and flag/reject photos. Adobe/Serif/Panic/etc are going to follow with their own things. We're going to end up with a better/more usable Automator in the long run.
Don't think Terminal is going away for good, it's that Xcode will get Shortcuts support. So will other development tools for stuff like git and compiling of projects for web frameworks.
Don't think Terminal is going away for good, it's that Xcode will get Shortcuts support. So will other development tools for stuff like git and compiling of projects for web frameworks.