Assign a shortcut to running a script in OS X

Question

Does OS X provide an easy way to bind key combinations to commands which are typically run on the command line?

For example, is there some way to assign ⌘L as a global shortcut for /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine?

Answer 1

Yes, you can do this with Applescript or Automator.

The way I've done things like this is to use Automator to create a Service that is available in all applications. A service can be made to run a bash/zsh/ruby/whatever script. Then you can bind a key combination to the service in the Keyboard pane of system preferences.

Near the end of this MacBreak podcast this procedure is shown in detail.

Edit: I just noticed you're not using Snow Leopard. I don't think creating a system-wide service is as easy with 10.5.8. I guess you can't upgrade since it's a Powerbook. You might want to look into FastScripts which allows you to assign keyboard shortcuts to applescripts (free to use for up to 10 keyboard shortcuts) and use the following Applescript:

do shell script "/System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine"

Answer 2

FastScripts

The menu is automatically populated with files from ~/Library/Scripts/. Shortcuts for scripts in ~/Library/Scripts/Applications/SomeApp/ are enabled only when SomeApp is frontmost.

Other apps that can be used to assign shortcuts for running scripts

• Alfred, Quicksilver
• Keyboard Maestro, QuicKeys, iKey
• Spark
• Butler, Cockpit
• BetterTouchTool, Controller Mate
• Shortcuts (only AppleScript), NuKit (only AppleScript)
• Apptivate

Creating an Automator service

1. Open Automator and choose the Service template
2. Add a Run Shell Script or Run AppleScript action
3. Check that the values for "Service receives selected text in any application" are correct
4. Paste the script and save
5. Assign a shortcut in the Keyboard preference pane

ThisService

An application that can be used to make services where the service bundle either contains the original script or an alias to an external script.