AppleScript Resources

Please scroll down for general information on AppleScript.

Finder Scripts

Download as Zip File

These scripts can batch process files, changing names and other parameters in the Finder.

Universal Scripts

Download as Zip File

These scripts operate in any application: put all the folders in the standard ‘Scripts’ folder.

Scripting Kit

Download as Zip File

Numerous script routines are provided here: use with care.


All of the scripts here are designed for operation under British localisation settings.
They may require modifications to work in other areas.

An Introduction to AppleScript

AppleScript is a mechanism, built into Apple’s desktop macOS operating system, that allows you to write instructions to the computer in the form of an English-based script, which can then be executed as many times as required, either as a ‘mini application’, known as an applet, or via the drop-down Scripts menu, a scroll-like item that appears in the menu bar of all applications.

The Scripts menu isn’t enabled by default in macOS. To enable it:

  1. Launch Script Editor, which you’ll find in ‘Utilities’, inside ‘Applications’.
  2. Go to Preferences and select General.
  3. Tick Show Script menu in menu bar: the item should now appear in the menu bar.
  4. To show Apple’s default scripts, click on Show Computer Scripts as well.
  5. Quit Script Editor.

Now pull down the Scripts menu and select Open User Scripts Folder under Open Scripts Folder. If you’ve not installed any scripts, this may be empty. To add scripts for applications, make a new folder called ‘Applications’.

Each application needs a folder of its own for its scripts. For example, scripts to be used in the Finder must be in a folder called ‘Finder’, inside the ‘Applications’ folder.

Universal scripts, for use in any application, can be placed directly within the ‘Scripts’ folder, or, if preferred, inside other folders, which then appear as submenus within the Scripts menu.

The packages that appear here are designed for use in the Scripts menu, or for exploration of the uses of AppleScript. To obtain them, click on the Zip file to expand the contents into folder.

For all the packages, apart from the Scripting Kit, you should copy the contents into the required locations in the ‘Scripts’ folder. If you already have folders for specific applications you should copy the contents of the new folders into the existing folders, thereby retaining any scripts that you already have for each application.

All these scripts employ standard AppleScript instructions, along with ‘shell scripts’, the latter an integral part of the underlying Unix structure of macOS. They have only been tested in macOS 11.2, also known as Big Sur, but may also operate in earlier versions of the system. They may fail in future versions of macOS. In the event of errors most of the scripts will simply do nothing.


You use the files in these packages at your own risk. The author accepts no responsibility for any harm to your computer or the contents thereof. If you are in doubt about the operation of any of these scripts, try them out on copies of your original files. If you have any problems please contact the author at the email address provided.

©Ray White 2004-2021.