Do I need Python to run workflows?

[wellerpond]

In the last few months, workflows I've been using fine (like Recent Documents) suddenly give me a warning that "python3" is needed to run it. When I go to install Python 3 it says it may take up to 38 hours to install. Anyone know what's goin on with that?

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

[Stephen_C]

I think the warning you receive is not about the amount of time it's going to take to install Python 3. It's about installation of the Command Line Developer Tools—which is part of the Xcode download. The Mac App Store lists the latest version of Xcode as a 12.6GB download (and, be warned, it will take up massively more space than that on your computer if you do download and install it).

 

There is a suggestion on this Python guide page as to how to avoid the full Xcode download. (Warning: I do not have Python 3 installed, have not investigated the alternative download and don't know how large it may be.)

 

In reply to your more general question ("Do I need Python to run workflows?") the answer is certainly "No". Some workflows may require Python (or indeed other languages not installed by default) in order to run but there are many than do not have those dependencies. In addition, you may find Alfred 5 has some features which make some of the older workflows unnecessary. For example, look at this Alfred help page and scroll down to Recent Documents and see if that helps.

 

Stephen

[vitor]

10 hours ago, wellerpond said:

When I go to install Python 3 it says it may take up to 38 hours to install.

It can show a large amount of time in the dialog, but it’s unlikely it will take even close to that long. Note the dialog and installation is triggered by macOS itself, it comes from Apple.

 

You should let it run. The command-line tools are useful for other things too, like installing dependencies with Homebrew.

 

5 hours ago, Stephen_C said:

It's about installation of the Command Line Developer Tools—which is part of the Xcode download.

Installing Xcode indeed installs the command-line tools, but the reverse doesn’t have to happen. With this dialog, only the latter are installed, which are considerably smaller. Homebrew does the same.

 

5 hours ago, Stephen_C said:

There is a suggestion on this Python guide page as to how to avoid the full Xcode download.

It’s a good guide, but ends up doing the same and then more, so might as well start with the dialog already there.