Mac Automation Variables

Start with the event that should begin your workflow. A shortcut is suitable for a task you choose to run; a folder or display event responds to a change on your Mac.

• Keyboard shortcuts: Search Chrome Windows and Tabs opens a manager on demand. Choose a distinct hotkey before enabling multiple samples.
• Folder changes: Sort Downloads uses the new item’s filename and path to select a destination. Watch a Folder and Run a Shortcut sends folder changes into an Apple Shortcut instead.
• Display changes: Monitor Workspace checks the connected-display count before moving an application window.

The Mac automation guide explains how a Trigger connects to optional Conditions and the Actions that follow. Check each component’s parameters, output variables, permissions, and Pro label below before choosing it.

Variables let a Condition check the current Mac state or let a later Action consume an earlier result. Distinguish common values, such as the current time, from values produced by a particular Trigger or Action.

• Time Conditions: Chrome Research Workspace uses the current time to choose between two tab groups. The time check selects a branch; the keyboard Trigger still starts the Rule.
• Trigger outputs: Sort Downloads checks the incoming item’s name and passes that same event’s Item Path to Move File or Folder.
• Action outputs: Extract Text from New Images sends recognized Text into a result panel. Copy Current Chrome URL sends Active Tab URL into Set Clipboard to Text.

See the When → If → Do explanation for how Conditions and data flow fit into a Rule. Common variables are listed below; use the Trigger and Action links for outputs owned by individual components.

Choose Actions by the result you need, then check their input parameters and output variables. An Action that produces text, a file path, or a browser tab value can supply a later step in the same Rule.

• Screen and image text: Copy Text from Your Screen recognizes visible text and copies it; Extract Text from New Images reads incoming image files and displays the result. Their inputs and Pro requirements differ.
• Browser tasks: Copy Current Chrome URL passes the active tab’s URL to the clipboard. Open Chrome Work Tabs opens configured addresses instead of recovering a previous session.
• Window tasks: Window Switcher lets you choose an existing window; Monitor Workspace moves one application’s window after a display change.

To combine several steps, follow How to Build Mac Automations with AI, then review the generated Actions and their inputs before running the Rule. The library below lists the available components and their permissions.