How do I install the Applescript Open App skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/applescript-open-app in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Applescript Open App safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Applescript Open App?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Applescript Open App free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Applescript Open App?

tomevault-io (@tomevault-io) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Applescript Open App by tomevault-io

Name: Applescript Open App
Author: tomevault-io

Applescript Open App

Open, launch, activate, or quit macOS apps by name using AppleScript or osascript. Use when the user asks to open/launch/activate/quit an app ("open Xcode", "quit Discord"), or when AppleScript-based app control is required. Use when this capability is needed.

tomevault-io d671b4a 2 files · 2.9 KB Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

AppleScript Open App

Overview

Use a performance-first launch path for opening apps (open -a) with AppleScript fallback for compatibility, and AppleScript for graceful quits.

Quick Start

Prefer scripts/open_app.sh for a reliable one-liner interface.
Prefer scripts/quit_app.sh for quitting an app.
Pass the app name exactly as it appears in Finder (for example, "Xcode", "Safari", "Final Cut Pro").

scripts/open_app.sh "Safari"

scripts/quit_app.sh "Discord"

Tasks

Open an app by name

Run scripts/open_app.sh "<App Name>".
The script uses fast LaunchServices activation first, then falls back to AppleScript activation only when needed.
If the app is not installed, surface the AppleScript error and ask for the correct name.

Open a new instance (only when asked)

Use open -na "<App Name>" only if the user explicitly requests a new instance.
Otherwise use AppleScript activation.

Quit an app by name

Run scripts/quit_app.sh "<App Name>".
The script checks whether the app is running before sending quit, avoiding slow error-path exits for already-closed apps.
If the app is not installed, surface the AppleScript error and ask for the correct name.

Handle ambiguous names

If multiple apps share a name, ask for the exact display name or bundle id.
If a bundle id is provided, use AppleScript with application id.

osascript -e 'tell application id "com.apple.Safari" to activate'

AppleScript snippet

osascript -e 'tell application "Safari" to activate'

osascript -e 'tell application "Safari" to quit'

Resources

scripts/

open_app.sh: Fast open -a launch/activate with AppleScript fallback.
quit_app.sh: Graceful AppleScript quit with running-state guard.

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

---name: applescript-open-appdescription: Open, launch, activate, or quit macOS apps by name using AppleScript or osascript. Use when the user asks to open/launch/activate/quit an app ("open Xcode", "quit Discord"), or when AppleScript-based app control is required. Use when this capability is needed.---# AppleScript Open App## OverviewUse a performance-first launch path for opening apps (`open -a`) with AppleScript fallback for compatibility, and AppleScript for graceful quits.## Quick Start- Prefer `scripts/open_app.sh` for a reliable one-liner interface.- Prefer `scripts/quit_app.sh` for quitting an app.- Pass the app name exactly as it appears in Finder (for example, "Xcode", "Safari", "Final Cut Pro").```bashscripts/open_app.sh "Safari"``````bashscripts/quit_app.sh "Discord"```## Tasks### Open an app by name- Run `scripts/open_app.sh "<App Name>"`.- The script uses fast LaunchServices activation first, then falls back to AppleScript activation only when needed.- If the app is not installed, surface the AppleScript error and ask for the correct name.### Open a new instance (only when asked)- Use `open -na "<App Name>"` only if the user explicitly requests a new instance.- Otherwise use AppleScript activation.### Quit an app by name- Run `scripts/quit_app.sh "<App Name>"`.- The script checks whether the app is running before sending `quit`, avoiding slow error-path exits for already-closed apps.- If the app is not installed, surface the AppleScript error and ask for the correct name.### Handle ambiguous names- If multiple apps share a name, ask for the exact display name or bundle id.- If a bundle id is provided, use AppleScript with `application id`.```bashosascript -e 'tell application id "com.apple.Safari" to activate'```## AppleScript snippet```bashosascript -e 'tell application "Safari" to activate'``````bashosascript -e 'tell application "Safari" to quit'```## Resources### scripts/- `open_app.sh`: Fast `open -a` launch/activate with AppleScript fallback.- `quit_app.sh`: Graceful AppleScript quit with running-state guard.---> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/ivancampos) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

Frequently asked questions