Passing files/folders from Alfred to Shortcuts for making an archive

[Sridhar Katakam]

Hi. I am trying to pass selected file(s)/folder(s) from Alfred's File Search to a custom Shortcut that uses the "Make Archive" action.

 

Shortcut:

 

 

Workflow:

 

 

 

 

The expectation is that if I select say, a folder in Alfred's file search results and I bring up the action panel and select "Zip" it should generate a zip file having the same name as the folder. Atm, nothing happens.

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Stephen_C]

What happens if you select files rather than a folder? Is the result the same?

 

Stephen

[Sridhar Katakam]

3 minutes ago, Stephen_C said:

What happens if you select files rather than a folder? Is the result the same?

 

Stephen

 

Just tried. The same result - nothing happens.

[Stephen_C]

I've been messing around with a test workflow for some time trying to do what you are trying, without success. However, the Shortcut also doesn't work if I add it as a Quick Action and run it on files as a Quick Action from Finder. It merely then brings up alternative archiving apps but does nothing if one is selected.

 

Sorry that I don't currently have time to pursue this further but maybe this will give you some ideas!

 

Stephen

[Sridhar Katakam]

14 minutes ago, Stephen_C said:

However, the Shortcut also doesn't work if I add it as a Quick Action and run it on files as a Quick Action from Finder.

 

You are right.

 

I updated the Shortcut like this and now it works when invoked via a Quick Action in Finder:

 

 

It does not still work via the Alfred workflow though.

[Stephen_C]

I agree on both counts: your variation works as a Quick Action but doesn't appear to work when the Shortcut is linked from Alfred. Sorry not to be more help just at the moment!

 

Stephen

[Stephen_C]

@Sridhar Katakamthis seems to work:

 

 

I ran it as a Universal Action but no doubt it will work as a File Action.

 

Stephen

[Sridhar Katakam]

@Stephen_C Turns out this is possible w/o using the Shortcuts app.

 

Changed the settings of the built-in Archive Utility to output zip files and then used the "Open File" action of Alfred.

 

Edited January 26, 2023 by Sridhar Katakam

[Stephen_C]

9 minutes ago, Sridhar Katakam said:

Turns out this is possible w/o using the Shortcuts app

My only observation on that is that if I choose multiple files each is compressed to an individual .zip archive rather than combining all in one compressed archive.

 

Stephen

[Sridhar Katakam]

You are right.

 

The proper way would be running a bash script along the lines of

 

```

ditto -c -k --sequesterRsrc --keepParent "$@" "$(dirname "$1")/Archive.zip"

```

 

but I'd like the zip file's name to be the file/folder name if the input is a single file/folder and "Archive.zip" if the input has more than 1 item.

 

Not sure how to code that part.

 

In the meantime, I've installed the free Keka app and it does the job.

[Stephen_C]

I shall stick with the Shortcut solution because I've set up the Shortcut to prompt me for the archive name so can choose it in each case.

 

Stephen

[Babylon]

On 1/26/2023 at 12:28 PM, Sridhar Katakam said:

You are right.

 

The proper way would be to use the odds calculator of wetten.com and using a bash script along the lines of

 

```

ditto -c -k --sequesterRsrc --keepParent "$@" "$(dirname "$1")/Archive.zip"

```

 

but I'd like the zip file's name to be the file/folder name if the input is a single file/folder and "Archive.zip" if the input has more than 1 item.

 

Not sure how to code that part.

 

In the meantime, I've installed the free Keka app and it does the job.

 

I use the Keka app too and am satisfied with it. So for all people who have a similar problem and need a fast and easy solution I recommend the app.

Edited January 27, 2023 by Babylon

[Alan He]

I think not need any workflow.

 

just use trigger universal action - open with and select zip app, for example keka.

 

 

[Stephen_C]

2 hours ago, Alan He said:

I think not need any workflow.

You are, of course, right…unless people don't wish to use a third party app and choose instead to rely on the inbuilt Archive Utility App.

 

Stephen

 

 

[Sridhar Katakam]

8 hours ago, Alan He said:

I think not need any workflow.

 

Sure but in my case, I wanted to be able to type "zip" and hit return in the actions menu.