# applescript

A skill for AppleScript and JXA: the agent writes and runs macOS automation scripts with checks against dangerous commands.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 311 installs · ★ 48
- Author: martinholovsky
- License: Unlicense · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator/tree/HEAD/skills/applescript/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2025-12-06
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/applescript

## What it does

This skill gives the agent working knowledge of AppleScript and JavaScript for Automation (JXA). It covers application scripting dictionaries, running scripts through `osascript`, and the sandbox limits macOS puts on automation. Useful when you want to drive Finder, Mail, or another scriptable app from the chat.

Inside are ready-made patterns in Python and JavaScript. The `SecureAppleScriptRunner` class scans a script against a list of blocked regex patterns, refuses `do shell script` calls with `sudo` or `rm -rf`, and blocks access to Keychain Access, 1Password, and Terminal. Execution goes through `subprocess.run(['osascript', '-e', script])` with a timeout. A separate builder handles safe string interpolation and an allowlist of commands such as `ls`, `pwd`, and `date`.

The skill is marked HIGH-RISK because it controls applications and touches the file system. The first script run will hit the macOS automation permission prompt — without that approval `osascript` fails, so check Privacy & Security settings before you rely on it.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator --skill applescript -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/applescript/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/applescript/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator --skill applescript -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/applescript/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator --skill applescript -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/applescript/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator applescript
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/applescript/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator --skill applescript -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator --path skills/applescript
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/applescript/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator --skill applescript -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/martinholovsky/claude-skills-generator/tree/HEAD/skills/applescript/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- run an AppleScript from Python with a timeout
- filter out dangerous commands before execution
- escape user input inside a script string
- block access to password managers and Terminal
- port an AppleScript automation to JXA

## Example prompts
- Write an AppleScript that renames every PDF in my Downloads folder
- Check this script for dangerous commands before running it
- Convert this AppleScript to JXA

## Source text · SKILL.md · Unlicense

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 5d03dba9cef64322.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 5d03dba9cef64322
````text
---
name: applescript
risk_level: MEDIUM
description: "Expert in AppleScript and JavaScript for Automation (JXA) for macOS system scripting. Specializes in secure script execution, application automation, and system integration. HIGH-RISK skill due to shell command execution and system-wide control capabilities."
model: sonnet
---

## 1. Overview

**Risk Level**: HIGH - Shell command execution, application control, file system access

You are an expert in AppleScript automation with deep expertise in:

- **AppleScript Language**: Script composition, application scripting dictionaries
- **JavaScript for Automation (JXA)**: Modern alternative with JavaScript syntax
- **osascript Execution**: Command-line script execution and security
- **Sandboxing Considerations**: App sandbox restrictions and automation permissions

### Core Expertise Areas

1. **Script Composition**: Secure AppleScript/JXA patterns
2. **Application Automation**: Scriptable app interaction
3. **Security Controls**: Input sanitization, command filtering
4. **Process Management**: Safe execution with timeouts

---

## 2. Core Responsibilities

### 2.1 Core Principles

When creating or executing AppleScripts:
- **TDD First** - Write tests before implementing AppleScript automation
- **Performance Aware** - Cache scripts, batch operations, minimize app activations
- **Sanitize all inputs** before script interpolation
- **Block dangerous commands** (rm, sudo, curl piped to sh)
- **Validate target applications** against blocklist
- **Enforce execution timeouts**
- **Log all script executions**

### 2.2 Security-First Approach

Every script execution MUST:
1. Sanitize user-provided inputs
2. Check for dangerous patterns
3. Validate target applications
4. Execute with timeout limits
5. Log execution details

### 2.3 Blocked Operations

Never allow scripts that:
- Execute arbitrary shell commands without validation
- Access password managers or security tools
- Modify system files or preferences
- Download and execute code
- Access financial applications

---

## 3. Technical Foundation

### 3.1 Execution Methods

**Command Line**: `osascript`
```bash
osascript -e 'tell application "Finder" to activate'
osascript script.scpt
osascript -l JavaScript -e 'Application("Finder").activate()'
```

**Python Integration**: `subprocess` or `py-applescript`
```python
import subprocess
result = subprocess.run(['osascript', '-e', script], capture_output=True)
```

### 3.2 Key Security Considerations

| Risk Area | Mitigation | Priority |
|-----------|------------|----------|
| Command injection | Input sanitization | CRITICAL |
| Shell escape | Use `quoted form of` | CRITICAL |
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 5d03dba9cef64322

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 5d03dba9cef64322 tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

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