osascript - execute AppleScript in macOS — by SS64.com

intermediatepageLink only (©)

Reference for osascript with its -e, -i, -l and -s options and a large set of one-liners: activating or quitting apps, emptying the Trash, setting volume, toggling dark mode, and shutting down or restarting without confirmation.

Read the full article on ss64.com

Source: osascript - execute AppleScript in macOS by SS64.com. Licence: Link only (©).

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

osascriptapplescriptterminalone-liners

More in AppleScript & Shortcuts

Automate tasks using AppleScript and Terminal on Mac — by Apple Support

beginnerpage

Short Apple guide on combining AppleScript with Terminal: opening Terminal's scripting dictionary in Script Editor and running an AppleScript file from the command line with osascript.

Use scripts with Automator on Mac — by Apple Support

beginnerpage

Shows how to add the Run Shell Script and Run AppleScript actions to an Automator workflow. For shell scripts you pick the shell and type the commands; for AppleScript you can edit and test in the action or write it in Script Editor.

AppleScript, Do Shell. How do I write the 'test' command to the 'script editor'? — by Quinn "The Eskimo!" (Apple DTS) on Apple Developer Forums

intermediateforum

Apple's DTS engineer explains that do shell script throws an AppleScript error whenever the command exits non-zero (so test -d on a missing folder errors), shows try blocks to handle it, multi-line scripts, and quoted form of POSIX path for safe paths. He also suggests avoiding the shell where System Events can do the job.