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Run Automator workflow

Runs an Automator workflow, a Quick Action or an application workflow, with the system's automator tool, optionally passing it input and capturing its output.

Run the Automator workflow path

Details #

Runs the workflow at path with /usr/bin/automator and waits for it to finish. If you give input, it is handed to the workflow as its input, one item per line (a list is one item each). Whatever the workflow ends with becomes the step's output ({"output": "..."}), one item per line, and goes into into when it is set.

This is how the Automator import keeps every workflow working: one that Switchboard can't turn into steps still runs, unchanged, through this step. The import keeps a copy of the workflow in the Library, so the macro doesn't depend on the original file.

Parameters #

ParameterTypeRequiredValuesWhat it does
pathtextYesRequired. A .workflow or an application workflow. ~ is expanded. A relative path is read from the Library folder, which is where an import keeps its copy (assets/<macro id>/Name.workflow).
inputany valueText or a list to give the workflow. Leave it out to run with no input.
intotextThe variable that receives the workflow's output.
sampleany valueWhat into holds during a dry run.

Every step also accepts label, onFailure, timeout and dryRunSafe.

Examples #

Run a Quick Action on the Finder selection (runs a workflow)
Do
  1. Run Automator workflow “Send to Claude”
  2. Show “Done: {{result}}”
Open in Switchboard to try it

Gotchas #

  • Dry run. The workflow does not run; into gets sample or an empty string.

  • Timeout. The step is cancelled after 10 s unless you set timeout on the step. A workflow that waits on a dialog or a slow app needs more.

  • Input is text. Each line reaches the workflow as a text item. Actions that expect files take a path as that text.

  • A path that isn't a workflow folder fails the step with no workflow at <path>.

  • Actions that control other apps ask for permission the first time, under System Settings › Privacy & Security › Automation.

See also #

Run Shortcut, Run shell script, Coming from Automator and Shortcuts