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Leopard Reference Library: Apple Applications
Automator is an application that lets users automate repetitive procedures performed on a computer. Developers create Automator actions--loadable bundles that perform discrete tasks--that users link together in a workflow. An action performs a task such as opening a file or cropping an image. It usually operates on the output of the previous action in the workflow and passes the results of its operation to the next action. Developers can implement actions using AppleScript, Objective-C, or a combination of the two. Actions can access the capabilities of individual applications (including the Finder) or of the entire system.
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Transforming a Shell Script into an Automator Action (HTML)
Custom shell script actions let you quickly turn shell, Perl, or Python scripts into Automator actions.
Articles 2007-06-01
Automating Development Tasks with Automator and Xcode (HTML)
Learn to streamline daily tasks in your development projects using Automator.
 Articles 2006-08-07
Using Automator to Expand the Market for Your Software (HTML)
Learn how building Automator actions and workflows can create new sales opportunities.
 Articles 2005-07-19
Tiger Developer Overview Series: Working with Automator (HTML)
Learn how to create actions and workflows for your application using Automator.
 Articles 2005-01-12
Automator Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the concepts and tasks for developing actions, which are bundles loaded by the Automator application.
 Guides 2007-12-11
Automator AppleScript Actions Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Guides you through the procedure for creating a simple Automator action implemented in AppleScript.
 Guides 2007-07-18
AMWorkflowController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to control an Automator workflow in an application.
 Reference 2007-07-09
Automator Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants defined in the Automator framework not described in individual classes.
 Reference 2007-05-10
AMAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract class that defines the interface and general characteristics of Automator actions.
 Reference 2007-03-01
AMWorkflowView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Reference 2006-11-09
AMAppleScriptAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to support Automator actions that are driven by AppleScript scripts.
 Reference 2006-10-26
AMBundleAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to support Automator actions that are loadable bundles.
 Reference 2006-10-26
AMShellScriptAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to support Automator actions driven by a shell script or by a Perl or Python script.
 Reference 2006-10-26
AMWorkflow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to represent an Automator workflow within an application.
 Reference 2006-10-26
Automator Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for creating and working with actions used by the Automator application.
 Reference 2006-10-26
Automator Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for changes in Mac OS X version 10.5.
 Release Notes 2007-10-31
Automator Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Automtor framework.
 Release Notes 2007-07-25
Apply Firmware Password (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to create an Automator Action for System Image Utility.
 Sample Code 2007-06-12
AutomatorHandsOn (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates several methods for building Automator Actions
 Sample Code 2007-06-12
Duplicate Finder Items (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to build an Automator action targeting Finder using AppleScript.
 Sample Code 2005-06-06
UnsharpMask (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build Automator actions using Cocoa frameworks.
 Sample Code 2005-06-06