Run Quick Action Touch Bar: Here is a step-by-step guide to learn how to add Automator workflows that are saved as Quick Actions to the Touch Bar of your Mac. You’ll run your favorite macOS automation shortcuts at any time because they’ll be just two taps away.
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About Quick Actions
Introduced in macOS Mojave 10.14, the Quick Actions lets you run custom scripts and Automator workflows such as adding a watermark to large sets of images from places like Finder windows, the Services menu or even the Touch Bar on a Mac that has one.
The Touch Bar is available on the MacBook Pro models from 2016 or later. Also, you can create Quick Action workflows in the Automator app on your Mac. Then select ones you want to have at the ready via the Touch Bar. Follow with iDB as we show you how.
How to Run a Quick Action Touch Bar
We can’t cover creating Automator workflows that let your Mac do repetitive tasks. However, we’ll mention that you can create your own Quick Actions by releasing the Automator app. Then tap the File menu and select the choice New to create a new Quick Action workflow from scratch.
Next, select the Quick Action option from the sheet. Customize your script, choose an icon and color for your Quick Action and then save the action with a custom title.
By default, macOS saves your Quick Actions to the Library → Services sub-folder within your Mac account’s home folder. Your Mac hides the Library folder for security reasons, but you can get to it by holding the Option key while choosing the entry Library from the Finder’s Go menu.
Once you saved a few Quick Actions, you can begin adding ones you need the most to the Touch Bar by following the steps:
Step 1:
Tap the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
Step 2:
Now tap the Extensions icon in the System Preferences window.
Step 3:
Tap the entry Touch Bar found at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar.
You don’t see the entry? Currently, you don’t have a Mac with a Touch Bar or the Touch Bar is unavailable, that happens when the lid is closed while using your Mac.
Step 4:
You’ll be presented with a list of available Quick Actions in the righthand column. Just tap the box next to your saved Automator workflow to toggle that action.
Step 5:
Now customize the Control Strip so that it shows a special button to access your custom Automator actions from the Touch Bar.
To do so, select System Preferences from the Apple menu, press the Keyboard icon, tap the Keyboard and then press the button Customize Control Strip.
Now drag the Quick Actions icon to the bottom of the screen into the Touch Bar. Tap Done to save your custom Touch Bar configuration.
Step 6:
Now reach your favorite shortcuts by clicking the Quick Actions icon in the Control Strip of the Touch Bar (tap #1) , then select the Automator workflow to run (tap #2).
It takes two taps to get to your favorite Quick Actions from the Touch Bar.
Quick Actions Everywhere
As I mentioned above in this guide, you can also access your Quick Actions from the preview pane in a Finder window (select View → Show Preview if you don’t see the preview pane on the right) as well as through the system-wide Services menu of the Finder.
If you don’t like creating custom Automator workflows, just download some great quick actions from third-party developers via the Mac App Store. For those who are familiar with Automator, we hope our guide inspires you to create some great Touch Bar shortcuts.
Conclusion:
For further queries and questions let us know in the comment section below!
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