How do I run my automator service without opening automator?

Question

I created an automator service that duplicates a specified folder to the desktop, but I'm unsure how to run this service whenever I need it without having to open automator.

I was thinking it would be available on right-click of a finder window or the desktop for example, or even via keyboard shortcut?

Answer 1

In summary, to create a keyboard shortcut to run your Automator service you will need to use:

• Automator to create your service so that it'll work the way you want
• System Preferences to assign a keyboard shortcut to the service

Below are the steps involved for each.

1. Create a service using Automator

You're on the right track with your Service, however you need to change where the Service receives no input from. Below are the instructions (from scratch so that it's useful to others):

1. Launch Automator (usually found within your Applications folder)
2. Go to File > New
3. Select Service and click Choose
4. In the top right hand of the window that appears, ensure that "No input" is selected from the Service receives drop-down list
5. Ensure the In drop-down list is showing "Any application" (Note: This is where you went wrong as you had selected Finder)
6. In the second column containing the long list, find "Get Specified Finder Items" and double-click on it
7. This will add the Get Specified Finder Items window on the right
8. Now click on the Add... button to select the design kit folder you're wanting to copy
9. Once again in the second column containing the long list, find "Copy Finder Items" and double-click on it
10. Save the service using a meaningful name (e.g. Duplicate Design Kit).

Now to the next step.

2. Creating your shortcut

1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts
2. Select Services from the sidebar
3. Find your service (it'll be in the list on the right-hand side)
4. Add a shortcut by double clicking on the service name
5. Now go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy
6. Select Accessibility in the sidebar
7. Click on the + sign (you may need to unlock the padlock if it's locked)
8. Add Automator
9. Add Finder (to find this you will need to navigate to /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app).
10. Exit your System Preferences.

Now you should be able to do two things:

1. Run the service from any application by going to the Services list within any Application menu (e.g. Finder > Services, Safari > Services, TextEdit > Services, etc) and select the service you just created.

2. Use the keyboard shortcut to run the service.

Let me know how you go.

[UPDATE]

For an unknown reason the OP found that he needed to restart his Mac before the Service was available. I mention this here in case it helps someone else trying to achieve the same thing.