Automator Folder Action Not Running

I have created a simple automator folder action that helps me to keep my downloads folder organized. I want to move various files with certain file exensions to specific folder.
I am finding the process to be intermittantly successful. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not run. I've looked in activity monitor but do not see the automator launcher process running. I think that is why I am having issues. At other times, when it does run, the workflow hangs and I have to kill Automator Runner.
Any ideas on helping me with automator folder actions?
Thank you,
Jerold

What does Finder -> select folder -> Control-Click -> Services -> Folder Actions Setup say about your existing folder action?
Are folder actions enabled in the setup window?
Is your folder action attached to your folder?
For diagnostics, create a very simple Automator folder action (such as "Ask for Confirmation"; it does not need to make sense, it just needs to be something that you can use to verify the folder action occurred), and attach that to any folder. If that works, build up to making your PDF action work.

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Folder actions not running

I created a simple automator script to move different files to different places from my downloads folder. I then saved that as a plugin and attached it to the downloads folder. However it never runs. Is there something I am missing?

I think it will also work if an alias to the application is placed in the folder actions folder. The original application can be placed anywhere you like.

Using Automator Folder Actions

I have an automator folder action that runs to take any pdf file dumped in to the folder, send to the printer and then delete it.
How do I make this run on a server that I'm not logged in to (effectively as a service), so that if a pdf file is generated somewhere on the network (maybe even a PHP script on a web site hosted on this server) and copied to this folder it still auto prints to the network printer?

I'm using a hot folder to import to Aperture as well, and also had the same problems when I try to configure it.
I solve it by creating an action in Automator that will copy all the images from the memory card to a temp folder when a card is inserted in the card reader. At the end of the action all the files inside the temp folder are moved to the actual hot folder, as you said this is almost instant so works perfectly.
So basicly the workaround is the following:
Card inserted - Image capture starts and copy all the images to a temp folder - Images then move to Aperture's hot folder - Aperture gets all the images.

Automator Folder Action

I have an Automator Folder action attached to my Downloads folder which moves any .jpg file to another folder where I normally place my images. It works for a while (automatically moving the .jpg files whenever a file is placed in the Downloads folder) and then stops fopr no apparent reason. On occassion when I logoff and on or restart, the action will work for a limited time.
I don't have much experience with Automator and even less with Applescript. Any help will be much appreciated.
I use an iMac with OS X 10.9.2.
Thanks.

Sorry... this is not an answer to your problem. More like an addition to your question.
How do you attach an Automator Workflow as a folder action?
I've made a Workflow to copy all files from an iTunes' playlist to a USB device, I want it to automatically run whenever I plug in the USB device. I've left-clicked the icon for the USB device and then "attach folder action", but I don't see any script to run an Automator Workflow.

Apple Script to automatically apply automator folder action workflows

Hello
     I'm trying to get an applescript to automatically apply an automator folder action workflow to a folder..
     Getting applescript to apply a scpt file to a folder as a folder action is straight forward. However, it seems that scpt files are different than automator folder action workflows..
     Normally I would just script the folder action in apple script, but this is for someone that can handle automator, but not apple script coding. This whole scripting is to solve the issue of subdirectories being creating and then files or subfolders being created there after. So we need to try to get automator folder actions to propagate though.. easy enough with applescript..
Any help would be appreciated...

Here is the code that I needed to happen... Maybe I just missed something in automator... but this applescript properly applies itself to subfolders, which then allows me to apply specific scripts based on folder names and locations. Also if the subfolders already exist.. the scirpt also is applied to those.
on adding folder items to this_folder
createlist(this_folder)
end adding folder items to
on createlist(item_list)
          set ActionScript to " REMOVED FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY:ApplyScriptSubfolders.scpt"
          set the the_items to list folder item_list without invisibles
          set item_list to item_list as string
               repeat with i from 1 to number of items in the the_items
                 set the_item to item i of the the_items
                                   set the_item to (item_list & the_item) as alias
                                   set this_info to info for the_item
                                   if folder of this_info is true then
                          tell application "System Events"
                                                                      display dialog "Attching script to " & the_item as text --
                                 attach action to folder (the_item as text) using ActionScript
                                                       end tell
                            my createlist(the_item)
                                   end if
               end repeat
end createlist
I appreciate your help.. if you now know what has to happen and have a shorter way of doing so, please do so..
Thank you again,

ITunes 10.5 breaks automator folder action

Just like itunes10 did
osx 10.6.8
itunes 10.5
automator folder action with itunes tasks no longer works after 10.5 update.
Is it the version check again?

Unfortunately, it seems that this is a cross-platform problem between iTunes 10.5 and all NAS disks. Shared libraries on network drives worked fine under 10.4.1, but now there is just an endless loading cycle with no error message or time-out. There is a bit more about it in this thread.
Martin

Folder action not working outside automator

I have a folder action to convert and move all mkv files from within the downloads folder. The folder action included (among other) the following script:
on run {input, parameters}
          set filename to POSIX path of input
          do shell script "/usr/local/bin/mkvdts2ac3.sh -n " & quoted form of filename user name "white" password "*****)" with administrator privileges
#do shell script "mount -t smbfs //panos:z2kdft50@nas/internal internal" user name "white" password "******)" with administrator privileges
          do shell script "mv " & quoted form of filename & " /Users/white/internal/library/" user name "white" password "****)" with administrator privileges
          do shell script "rm -rf /Users/white/Downloads/*.dts" user name "white" password "*****)" with administrator privileges
          set message to "File " & filename
          return message
end run
The total workflow runs perfectly from within automator.
The problem is that when the folder action is triggered from the system (regular usage, ouside automator) the workflow executes up to the point that the applescript is implemented (I ghave installed growl notifications at various points to know how far the script has run)
Does anybody have any idea why could this be happening?
I have looked around but found no answers.
Thanks.
<Edited by Host>

Thanks.
I replaced the applescript with the following shell script:
/usr/local/bin/mkvdts2ac3.sh -n $@
mv $@ /Users/white/internal/library/
rm -rf /Users/white/Downloads/$@
It works.
I had tried a shell script in the very begining, but I could not get it to work so I resorted to Applescript instead. I felt myself too that applescript was an unnecessary complicated procedure just to run shell commands.
Anyway, now, each time a dts download finishes, it gets transcoded to dolby digital so that it can be played on my samsung tv (it's media player does not support dts).

Automator folder action won't run entire folder contents

Hi,
Ok, I think I'm pretty well versed in Automator and getting things to work. But this is just escaping me.
I've made a simple Photoshop Droplet (done this before). Open Automator, built a workflow for getting a folders contents and then opening the contents with the Droplet.
Saved this as a folder action,...
But when I drag multiple items to the folder, it only runs the very first item and stops,...
If I drag one by one into the folder it will work fine,....
I'm going to have to be dragging multiples all the time, it's a waste of time to do one by one,...
I'm totally missing something here,.... please help!!
I'd also like to move the contents of the folder, once the Droplet has run, to the trash
But first I have to get this darn thing to run on the entire folders contents,.....
Workflows I've tried:
1 - Open finder Items (open in my Droplet) works one at a time
2 - Get Specified Finder Items (point to my folder)
Get Folder Contents
Open finder Items (open in my Droplet) again, works one at a time
Thanks!!
Christopher

Hi Curly, and a warm welcome to the forums!
I don't know much about Automator, and this may be of no help, but...
It's either just picking up/passing one variable, when it either needs an array of variables, or needs to loop back for the next one.

Automator Folder Actions - Use filename as subject in email

I regularly email .pdf atttachments to my head office. These are hand-written sales orders which are scanned in. The scanner software gives each file a sequential filename (eg. OrderNo_110612).
I have set up a Folder Action in Automator to create a new email and send the file as an attachment when it is added to the folder.
Get Selected Finder Items
New Mail Message
Send Outgoing Messages
I would really like to add the filename to the subject of the email. Is there a script I can run within the 'Run Shell Script' action that will extract the filename and can then be used as a variable in the subject field? This would allow both myself and head office to easily find the email at a later date should the need arise.
Any help would be gratefully received. I am not a programmer, although I understand the principle of variables etc..
I am using OS X Lion 10.7.2
Any help would be really gratefully received.
Many thanks

sorry, spaced.
on run {input, parameters}
          tell application "System Events"
                    return name of first item of input
          end tell
end run
P.s. this only work for the first filename. if you want the names of multiple attachments it needs to be revised a bit.

How to set up Automator Folder Actions?

I have set up and sucessfully tested a workflow which sends any file found in a particular folder to the "paperless" app, then moves all files to a different folder called "Archived attachments".
HOWEVER as a folder action, nothing happens when a file is put into the folder. The file just sits there in the folder.
To create a folder action I opened "new folder action" in Automator, then dragged and dropped the working workflow file into the workspace, then set "Folder Action recieves files and folders added to" the appropriate folder, let's call it "Attachments".
Just to complicate things, the files are placed into the "Attachments" folder using an applescript that captures all pdf mail attachments. This applescript works succesfully.
So, where could I be going wrong?
The working workflow "Attachments.workflow" consists of:
Get Specificed Finder Items
Make Sequential
Get Folder Contents
Open Finder Items
Get Folder Contwents
Label Finder Items
Get Folder Contents
New Dated Folder
The erronious Folder Action consists of:
Run Workflow (Attachments)
In folder actions setup:
"Enable Folder Actions" is ticked
"PDF Attachments" folder is ticked
"Attachments_folder.workflow" script is on.

I'm confused. You showed two Automator actions with the same name, one was a folder action one wasn't.
Are you sure the correct Automator action (the one that is a folder action) is attached to the folder?
If when the Folders Action setup window is opened and you select Articles_Folder.workflow and then edit script are you getting the right workflow?
Assuming you do I would start off very simply. Try this:
It will label green screen shot image files saved to the Desktop.
See if this works for you.

Automator Folder Actions Broken in SLS

I may be the only person that wants to use Automator in Snow Leopard Server. However, I've found that Automator can be a great match with a server to automate tasks when shared files come in from other users.
The problem I am having is that the Folder Actions Trigger does not work. I can setup the Folder Actions under the contextual menu but nothing fires.
If I set this up the same way in Snow Leopard Desktop Version Folder Actions work as they should and triggers when a file is placed in the monitored folder.
Please tell me I'm not the only person that wants to use automator and folder actions? Anyone else having trouble with Folder Actions/Automator in Snow Leopard Server?

The update is only good for Mac's listed in this About the Performance update.
DALE

Help with creating Automator Folder Action

Hi
I want to create a folder action to empty my Caches from my both System and User Library files. I want a little help in creating the workflow. I tried to create a workflow, but the problem is it was asking for the system password when I selected the Library cache folder from my System. How can I create a workflow and save it as a plugin for my everyday action...
thanks in advance..

HI,
Not sure if Automator can do that but AppleScript might. Post here for help.
(Applications/Utilities)
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=724
Carolyn

What does this simple folder action not work?

OK I have been playing with this all weekend. I just wanted a simple folder action to move a file from folder a to folder b. There is really not much to it. The workflow works just fine. "Somtimes" running the script runs the workflow.app. However when I drop a file into folder a - nothing happens. I have enabled folder actions. Can anyone help?
here is a pic of the relative screens that should help you.
http://flickr.com/photos/hawsnet/2605303472/sizes/l/
Thanks for any help you can provide.
PS I even stopped by my local Genius Bar -- they could not help.

Vantive,
Try either:
*on adding folder items to this_folder after receiving added_items*
*tell application "Finder"*
*repeat with this_item in added_items*
*move this_item to folder "Folder B" of folder "Desktop" of folder¬*
*"MyShortName" of folder "Users" of the startup disk*
*end repeat*
*end tell*
*end adding folder items to*
Or:
*on adding folder items to this_folder after receiving added_items*
*tell application "Finder"*
*repeat with this_item in added_items*
*move this_item to "Macintosh HD:Users:MyShortName:Desktop:Folder B"*
*end repeat*
*end tell*
*end adding folder items to*
In either case replace MyShortName with your actual short name. +Make sure the script is saved to your Home/Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts folder.+ Then right-click or control-click on "Folder A" and, if necessary, select "Enable Folder Actions." If enabled, right-click or control-click on "Folder A" and select "Attach a Folder Action…" When the Choose-a-File window appears highlight the script and press Choose.
Both of the above scripts worked for me in testing. For what it's worth, both my /Library/LaunchAgents, and /System/Library/LaunchAgents folders are empty.
Good Luck...
Regards, Andrew99

Folder Actions not working

I'm trying out folder actions for the first time, and I cannot get an action to trigger.
I regularly use Automator, and I've saved a script as a Folder Action plug-in attached to a folder. I've tried this with several different scripts.
For example, I've got a script that just displays a message. It works fine if I save it as an app, so I save it as a Plug In>Folder Action. If I select, say, my documents folder, I right click>more>attach a folder action. I then select my script. If I open the Folder Actions Setup, my script is listed as attached to my documents folder. However, if I drop a file into the Documents folder, nothing happens.
Am I correct in thinking that the script should run when a file is dropped into the folder (and if I'm wrong, how would you do this?), or have I missed something?
I'm using 2x 2,8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon Mac, OsX 10.5.6.
Cheers
Steve

In the Finder (Mac) Help, every user may read:
*+Running an automation when a folder is changed+*
+Folder actions let you run automations when a folder is modified. For example, you could run an AppleScript or an Automator workflow whenever something is added to a dropbox folder.+
+To use folder actions, you attach a folder action script or workflow to a folder. When the folder is opened, closed, or modified, the automation will be activated automatically.+
+Your script must include a handler for each folder action command used.+
+To make a folder action scripts available to all users of your computer, put them in the Folder Action Scripts folder located at:+
+Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts/+
+To make the scripts available only to the current user, put them in the home folder at:+
+~/Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts/+
*+To enable folder actions:+*
+1. Open Folder Actions Setup in the Applications/AppleScript folder.+
+2. Select Enable Folder Actions.+
+3. Click the ╋ button below the Folders with Actions list and choose the folder containing the folder actions.+
+4. Click the ╋ button below the Script list and select the desired scripts, then click Attach.+
My guess is that you missed one of the four steps.
Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE vendredi 5 juin 2009 17:09:05)

Some actions not running properly

Some of my actions cannot run at all, like the Totally Rad Black and white action. Just doesn't work. Some work fine, others will say that the object isn't available, but, you can play through it. Totally Rad actions seem to have the most trouble, but, by no means the only ones. Any input would help

Being they were fine from CS2 forward, I have a hard time truly thinking that Superstition is that far ahead of CS5 that actions that work fine with it, are too old. Since this is in beta, I am reporting this issue to see if anyone else has had problems and might have a work around. It may be something simple as clicking on a step that I didn't think to do. Its not my first upgrade Just trying to troubleshoot here.

Automator Folder Action Not Running

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