## JXA Cheatsheet for macOS Application Scripting and Automation JXA (JavaScript for Automation) is a scripting language that allows you to automate tasks on your Mac using JavaScript. Here's a quick overview of its unique features and some code blocks for common macOS application scripting and automation tasks. ### Terminology - **Application**: A running instance of a macOS application. - **Process**: A running instance of an application. - **Window**: A window in an application. - **Tab**: A tab in a window. - **Document**: A document in an application. - **UI Element**: A user interface element, such as a button, text field, or menu item. ### Variables Declare variables using the `var` keyword. JXA is dynamically typed and variables can hold any type of value. ```javascript var app = Application("Safari"); var window = app.windows[0]; ``` ### Functions Functions in JXA are declared using the `function` keyword. They can take parameters and return values. ```javascript function clickButton(buttonName) { var app = Application.currentApplication(); app.includeStandardAdditions = true; app.click(app.button(buttonName)); } ``` ### Loops JXA supports `for` and `while` loops for iterating over arrays or performing a task a certain number of times. ```javascript var app = Application("Safari"); var windows = app.windows; for (var i = 0; i < windows.length; i++) { console.log(windows[i].name()); } var i = 0; while (i < windows.length) { console.log(windows[i].name()); i++; } ``` ### Conditionals Use `if` statements to execute code based on a condition. `else if` and `else` statements can be used to handle multiple conditions. ```javascript var app = Application("Safari"); var window = app.windows[0]; if (window.exists()) { console.log("Window exists"); } else { console.log("Window does not exist"); } ``` ### File Manipulation JXA provides built-in support for file manipulation, including reading and writing files, and interacting with the file system. ```javascript var file = File("/path/to/file.txt"); // Read the entire contents of the file var contents = file.read(); // Write new contents to the file file.write("New contents"); // Check if the file exists if (file.exists()) { console.log("File exists"); } // Get information about the file console.log(file.creationDate()); console.log(file.modificationDate()); console.log(file.size()); ``` ### Resources Here are some resources to help you learn more about JXA for macOS application scripting and automation: - [JXA Cookbook](https://github.com/JXA-Cookbook/JXA-Cookbook) - [JXA Resources](https://github.com/dtinth/JXA-Cookbook/wiki/Resources) - [macOS Automation](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/LanguagesUtilities/Conceptual/MacAutomationScriptingGuide/index.html) (Apple Developer Documentation) - [UI Browser](https://pfiddlesoft.com/uibrowser/) (Tool for exploring the user interface of macOS applications)