Workflow to focus applications

[jviotti]

Hi, I'm trying to make a workflow that allows me to switch between my mostly used applications using hot keys.

 

For example, I want to use Option+Command+M to bring the "Mail" application to the front, and if the app is not running, open it.

 

I've created the corresponding hot keys and setup a NSAppleScript:

on alfred_script(q)  
  tell application "Mail" to activate
end alfred_script

The script works fine if the application is already running, but doesn't open the app in the opposite case.

 

Also, with some apps, such as MacVim, the above script creates a new window instead of focusing on the current opened window.

 

How should the AppleScript be formulated?

[rice.shawn]

What you've done, theoretically, should work.

 

Have you tried changing the script to an osascript instead of a NSAppleScript to see if it solves the problem of non-running applications launching?

 

For the double launching, you could try something like:

if application "MacVim" is running then
    tell application "MacVim"
        activate
        do script ""
    end tell
else
    tell application "MacVim" to activate
end if

It's longer, and, again, theoretically, there should be no difference, but I've seen that it sometimes does make a difference.