Can the File Action menu show up when right-clicking a file in OSX?

[turnstyle]

Hi all,

 

New to Alfred, and totally blown away by how helpful it is.

 

One question: is there a way to have the File Action menu show up in the context menu when right-clicking a file in OSX? Works fine with the hotkey, but was wondering if I could get it to show up in the context menu too.

 

Thanks!  -Scott

[RodgerWW]

Not really no.  But, one could convert the file actions from Alfred into system services with Automator.  Depending on how many file actions you have though, this could clutter up the Services menu quite a bit.  As it is, more than 5 are put into a sub menu.  So, it's probably best just to use the shortcut specific to Alfred, and bring in your files using Alfred specific file actions.

[turnstyle]

fwiw, I was mostly referring to the dialog that lets you email/move/etc files -- it would be handy if I could assign that as a right-click item for items Finder.

 

Thanks!

[deanishe]

You could also create a service that executes Alfred's File Action menu.

 

Open Automator and create a new Service. It should accept "files or folders" in Finder.

 

Add a Run AppleScript action, and put this in the box (it simulates the keyboard shortcut to open Alfred's File Action menu):

on run {input, parameters}
	
	tell application "System Events" to key code 44 using {command down, option down}
	
	return input
end run

NOTE: This script runs ⌘⌥/ (command-option slash) which is what I have set for my shortcut. I believe the default is ⌘⌥\ (command-option backslash). In that case, you need to change key code 44 to key code 42.

 

Save the Service as, say, "Open Selection in Alfred…", and it will appear in your context menu in Finder.

[turnstyle]

Thanks, I'm clueless with Automator, hope you don't mind a question...

 

I got that working in Automator, but it changed my name from "Alfred Actions..." to "Alfred Actions.." (from 3 to 2 periods)

 

I'm guessing that 3 periods might be 'reserved' -- but now I seem unable to change the name.

 

I tried editing the name in Automator.

 

I tried deleting the file from User/Library/Serivces

 

I tried turning it off/on in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Services

 

I tried killing Finder

 

But it still shows up in the Context Menu as "Alfred Actions.."

 

What's the right way to "totally remove" this Service, such that I can name it?

 

Thanks!

[turnstyle]

Meaning: even if I delete what I created, start again, name it just "Alfred" -- when I look in Services in the Control Panel, it's back to "Alfred Actions.." -- so it seems like there's something else I need to clear out?

[RodgerWW]

Open the service in Automator, and use the "Save As" command ... delete the one you don't need, and log out and back into OS X.

[turnstyle]

Logging out/in did the trick, thanks -- and now it seems to let me save it as "Alfred Actions..."

 

Is deleting the bundle from user/library/services -- and then logging out/in -- the 'right' way to clear them out?

 

Thanks again!

[RodgerWW]

Normally yes, as the services are stored in an info.plist upon system startup.

[turnstyle]

Awesome, thanks!

 

If you don't mind one last question -- I noticed that if I have another application frontmost, and if I select a file on my desktop (a common scenario), it won't work -- I have to make Finder frontmost.

 

Is there a simple way to make that work?

[RodgerWW]

That sounds like a Finder issue, try relaunching Finder.  It MAY be a dock issue too, so open terminal and type the following:

 

killall Dock

 

The dock will close and then automatically relaunch.

[turnstyle]

Tried rebooting -- if something other than Finder is frontmost, if I right-click a file on the Desktop and choose the "Alfred" action, I see the Services cog briefly flash in the Mac menu bar, but nothing happens -- works fine with Finder frontmost.

 

I don't meant to waste your time, and it's not the biggest deal -- but if you have any idea on how to get it to work -- or if it "shouldn't" work, happy to hear what you think...

 

And thank you.

[RodgerWW]

Oh, I get it.  OK, this behaviour seems odd to me.  I don't recall this happening before El Capitan.

[turnstyle]

Thanks, good to know you see it too -- so that strikes you as a potential El Capitan 'bug' (or however you might characterize it)?

 

What what little I understand, it seems like since the Service appears to be running, it seems like the call to the keystroke should work.

 

Anyhow, at least it works (provided Finder is frontmost).

 

-Scott

[deanishe]

FWIW, the original name I proposed didn't contain 3 periods, but 1 ellipsis (the dot, dot, dot character). I think this is OPT+; on an English keyboard (I have a German keyboard). Alternatively, you could copy the character I posted.

Actions with dot-dot-dot at the end of their name typically contain an ellipsis, not three periods, i.e. one character, not three, and you won't have issues with the OS stripping a character.

Edited October 12, 2015 by deanishe

[turnstyle]

ha, I appreciate your precision!  

 

And now that you mention it, I notice the difference between my trailing "..." and the "…" after other menu items, so going off to fix now... 

[deanishe]

Yet you still ended your last comment with three periods, not an ellipsis…

 

But seriously, any time you see dot-dot-dot in OS X, it's almost certainly a single ellipsis, not three dots.

Edited October 12, 2015 by deanishe

[turnstyle]

Yet you still ended your last comment with three periods, not an ellipsis…

 

Old habits die hard… 

 

Thanks again. I'm new to Alfred, I seldom get so jazzed up about a new app.

[deanishe]

Old habits die hard… 

 

Thanks again. I'm new to Alfred, I seldom get so jazzed up about a new app.

 

OTOH, I'm basically a typography Nazi. Who wants to be that…