Launch Alfred using applescript

[alfredo]

This may already be possible, but I'm looking for a way to launch Alfred, pre-populated with text, from another application.   I am playing around with popclip (http://pilotmoon.com/popclip/), and would like to create an extension to send selected text to Alfred.

 

Thanks

[Florian]

I believe the only way to do that for now is to use the "keystroke" command.

 

tell application "System Events"
	keystroke " " using option down
	delay 0.2
	keystroke "some text"
end tell

[Vero]

You can already use selected text in OS X or your current clipboard content when starting your workflow with a hotkey, so have a look at these options in case they do what you're looking for without custom scripts

[Nick Moore]

I'm the developer of PopClip, and I found this thread whilst was looking to make this very extension too. (I have had several requests for it from users.)

Whilst the AppleScript above would work, it is dependent on the user's hotkey settings, and it is a little clunky in operation. What I would need is the ability to use an AppleScript something like this:

tell application "Alfred"
    appear with text "Some example text"
end tell

The whole idea is to be able to activate Alfred via PopClip using the mouse only, without needing to press the hotkey. Here is an animated GIF example of how the PopClip integration would work (I built this one using the System Events applescript):


(FYI - More about PopClip Extensions)

Edited May 24, 2013 by Nick Moore

[jdfwarrior]

I'm the developer of PopClip, and I found this thread whilst was looking to make this very extension too. (I have had several requests for it from users.)

Whilst the AppleScript above would work, it is dependent on the user's hotkey settings, and it is a little clunky in operation. What I would need is the ability to use an AppleScript something like this:

tell application "Alfred"
    appear with text "Some example text"
end tell

The whole idea is to be able to activate Alfred via PopClip using the mouse only, without needing to press the hotkey. Here is an animated GIF example of how the PopClip integration would work (I built this one using the System Events applescript):

(FYI - More about PopClip Extensions)

 

You mean something like..

tell application "Alfred 2" to search "Example Text"

?

[Carlos-Sz]

I’ve been using PopClip and Alfred a lot. Great to hear an Alfred extension for PopClip is coming. I’ll surely try it.

[Nick Moore]

You mean something like..

tell application "Alfred 2" to search "Example Text"

?

 

Exactly that! 

Edited May 30, 2013 by Nick Moore

[Nick Moore]

Thanks everyone for your help. The Alfred extension for PopClip is now available: http://pilotmoon.com/popclip/extensions/page/Alfred

Edited June 21, 2013 by Nick Moore

[Andrew]

Thanks everyone for your help. The Alfred extension for PopClip is now available: http://pilotmoon.com/popclip/extensions/page/Alfred

 

Hah, that's great, thanks Nick!

 

[gonna tweet that now]