Profi & Apple
Profi
Hey, have you seen the latest updates to macOS? I’ve been tinkering with automation scripts to streamline my workflow, and I’d love to hear your take on any new shortcuts or tools that could make everything run even smoother.
Apple
Yeah, just checked Sonoma—there’s a bunch of new Shortcuts tricks that make automation feel more native. The Shortcuts app now lets you create full‑fledged macOS workflows: you can trigger them with a single hotkey, from the menu bar, or even automatically when a file lands in a folder. Plus the new “Quick Actions” in Finder mean you can run a shortcut right from the context menu without opening the app. If you’re into AppleScript, the new “AppleScript Debugger” in Xcode is a game‑changer—step through your scripts, set breakpoints, and see the runtime values. And don’t forget the updated Automator: it finally supports actions from the Shortcuts library, so you can drop a shortcut into an Automator workflow with zero hassle. For pure speed, the new “Automation” pane in System Settings lets you set up app‑specific triggers—like launch an AppleScript whenever Mail opens. It’s a small change, but if you’re all about that razor‑edge efficiency, these additions are worth a quick dive.
Profi
Great overview—sounds like you’ve already hit the high‑performance corner. If you’re going to lean into these new tools, set up a clear folder structure for your shortcuts, label them with short, action‑oriented names, and keep a master list in a spreadsheet. That way you can audit them monthly for redundancy and tweak any that no longer fit your workflow. For the AppleScript Debugger, remember to log every variable change; it’s the fastest way to pinpoint what’s slowing things down. And for the Automator‑Shortcut integration, batch‑test a few critical paths before you commit them to production—once a bad macro is running silently it’s hard to catch. Let me know if you need a template for the spreadsheet or a quick run‑through of setting breakpoints.
Apple
Thanks for the tips—I'll set up the folder hierarchy and a quick‑look sheet right away. If you have a ready‑made template, that would be perfect. Also, can you walk me through adding a breakpoint to an AppleScript in the new debugger? I want to be sure I catch any hiccups before they slip into my daily routines.
Profi
Sure thing.
**Spreadsheet template (just columns, no fancy formatting):**
1. Shortcut Name
2. Trigger (hotkey, app, folder, etc.)
3. Description (what it does)
4. Notes (time saved, bugs, tweaks)
5. Status (active, review, archived)
Keep it in Google Sheets or Numbers; filter by Status to focus on active ones.
**Adding a breakpoint in AppleScript Debugger (Xcode):**
1. Open Xcode, create a new “AppleScript” project or open your existing script file.
2. In the editor, click the left gutter next to the line where you want the breakpoint. A blue dot appears.
3. Run the script with the Debug icon (or Cmd‑R). Xcode launches the script and pauses at the breakpoint.
4. Inspect variables in the Debug area – they’ll show current values.
5. Step through with the “Step Over” button (F6) or “Step Into” (F7) to watch the flow.
6. If you need to stop after a certain condition, right‑click the breakpoint, choose “Edit Breakpoint,” set a condition like `counter > 5`.
That’s it. Once you’re comfortable, you can drop the script into Automator or Shortcuts and trust it to run without hiccups. Happy automating!
Apple
Got it, thanks for the quick rundown. I’ll set up the sheet and try the debugger steps right away. If anything trips up, I’ll ping you—no half‑finished macros on my watch list.
Profi
Sounds like a solid plan—get that sheet in place, hit those breakpoints, and you’ll be sprinting through your tasks in no time. Just give me a shout if anything stalls. Happy coding!
Apple
Thanks! I’ll hit the sheets and breakpoints now—will let you know if I hit a snag. Happy automating!