HOW TO: Use folder actions to automatically perform action when a file is added to a folder

Folder Actions let you automatically run AppleScripts whenever items are added to, removed from, or modified in a specific folder. This can be useful for automating tasks such as processing exported files, uploading them to a server, or triggering notifications.

Step 1: Create the Folder Action Script

1. Open Script Editor (found in /Applications/Utilities/).
2. Create a new script with the following example code:

   1. on adding folder items to this_folder after receiving added_items
        repeat with anItem in added_items
            display dialog "A new item was added: " & (name of (info for anItem))
        end repeat
      end adding folder items to

3. This simple example will display a dialog each time a new file is added to the folder.

In a real-world case, you would replace the display dialog line with the action you want to perform — for example, a command that uploads the file to a server or copies it elsewhere.

Step 2: Save the Script

1. From Script Editor, choose File > Save.
2. Set the File Format to Script.
3. Save the script in: "/Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts/"

4. You may need administrator rights to save files in this folder.

   ⚠️ If you save the script elsewhere, it may not appear in the Folder Actions Setup utility.

Step 3: Attach the Script to a Folder

1. Locate the folder that should trigger the action — for example, the folder where your application exports EPG files.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) the folder and select: "Services > Folder Actions Setup..."
3. In the Folder Actions Setup app:
   • Ensure that Enable Folder Actions is checked.
   • Select your target folder in the list on the left (you can add it using the + button if needed).
   • Click the + button under the right-hand pane to attach your saved script to that folder.

4. Close the Folder Actions Setup window when done.

   Your script is now active — macOS will automatically run it each time new files are added to that folder.

Step 4: Testing Your Folder Action

1. Add a file to the monitored folder.
2. You should see the script’s behavior triggered (for example, the dialog from the sample script).

If nothing happens:

• Verify that Folder Actions Setup has the folder listed and the checkbox beside it enabled.
• Make sure Folder Actions are globally enabled (top checkbox in the app).
• Check that Script Editor has permission to control your computer under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation.
• Try restarting Folder Actions Dispatcher by logging out and back in, or by running this command in Terminal:

killall Folder Actions Dispatcher

Optional: Editing or Removing Folder Actions

• To edit or remove a script, reopen Folder Actions Setup and adjust or delete it from the folder’s attached list.
• You can attach multiple scripts to the same folder — each will run when the event occurs.

Additional Notes

• Folder Actions only run when a user is logged in; they don’t execute in the background for all users.
• Scripts must be saved as .scpt files (compiled AppleScript), not plain text.

• Folder Actions can respond to several types of events, such as:

  • Adding items
  • Removing items
  • Opening or closing the folder