Close windows automatically via Automator and/or Apple Script

[rdijkgraaf]

I have Automator automatically open certain applications at a certain time in the evening. The next morning the windows are open. I would like to avoid having to close them by hand with cmd-w, I want Automator to do that for me automatically after opening the apps. Automator can open Apple Script, but what do I enter next?

 

[jedimasterkyle]

Apps – Marco.org

marco.org

I've been using this app for a while to automatically close certain apps. Worked out pretty well so far.

 

[rdijkgraaf]

Thank you.

 

[bogdanw]

I’m not sure I understand, you want to open apps without visible windows?
Depending on the apps, you can use open -j
Example in AppleScript:

do shell script "open -j /System/Applications/Calculator.app"

Related threads and apps
“I wrote an AppleScript that Quits all running apps at once!” https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-that-quits-all-running-apps-at-once.2379603/
“Quit app by pressing the red dot?” https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/quit-app-by-pressing-the-red-dot.2395078/
Quick Action to Quit All Applications https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-to-close-apps-in-mission-control.2371321/post-31754914
Swift Quit "Close Mac Applications Automatically When Their Windows Close" https://swiftquit.com/
RedQuits "All programs now quit and close all open windows if you click the red button." http://www.carsten-mielke.com/redquits.html

 

[rdijkgraaf]

I’m not sure I understand, you want to open apps without visible windows?
Depending on the apps, you can use open -j
Example in AppleScript:

do shell script "open -j /System/Applications/Calculator.app"

Related threads and apps
“I wrote an AppleScript that Quits all running apps at once!” https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-that-quits-all-running-apps-at-once.2379603/
“Quit app by pressing the red dot?” https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/quit-app-by-pressing-the-red-dot.2395078/
Quick Action to Quit All Applications https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-to-close-apps-in-mission-control.2371321/post-31754914
Swift Quit "Close Mac Applications Automatically When Their Windows Close" https://swiftquit.com/
RedQuits "All programs now quit and close all open windows if you click the red button." http://www.carsten-mielke.com/redquits.html

 

[rdijkgraaf]

I tried to use your script with and without the '.app' but I get an error message. Apperently I am doing something wrong ... See attachments.

 

[bogdanw]

Why use “Get Specified Finder Items”?
Simply “Run AppleScript”:

do shell script "open -j /Applications/Indigo\\ 2023.1.app"

 

[MacCheetah3]

It’s not simply closing windows, but you can quit applications, selective or all, using Automator or Shortcuts. Some quick example screenshots:

 

[rdijkgraaf]

Thanks again, your suggestion to open app via automator and 'run script' works simpler than my previous system. But the – minor but a bit annoying – problem still remains: I have to close the window manually every day.

 

[bogdanw]

Not all apps respect open -j, you could try to close the window with AppleScript

tell application "Indigo 2023.1"
    activate
    close window 1
end tell

 

[rdijkgraaf]

Thanks again. I would understand it if you have more important stuff to do, then just don't answer.

It should be simple I think, but I keep getting error messages. The app opens, but there's a problem with closing the window.

 

[bogdanw]

If do shell script "open -j /Applications/Indigo\\ 2023.1.app" doesn’t open the app without any windows, don’t use it.

Try in ScriptEditor just

tell application "Indigo 2023.1"
activate
close window 1
end tell

to see if it closes the window of the app.

If it doesn’t work, there could be other ways to close the window
MacScripter - Close the window https://www.macscripter.net/t/close-the-window/74468
Script for closing an application's window https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252048971

 

[rdijkgraaf]

If do shell script "open -j /Applications/Indigo\\ 2023.1.app" doesn’t open the app without any windows, don’t use it.

Try in ScriptEditor just

tell application "Indigo 2023.1"
activate
close window 1
end tell

to see if it closes the window of the app.

If it doesn’t work, there could be other ways to close the window
MacScripter - Close the window https://www.macscripter.net/t/close-the-window/74468
Script for closing an application's window https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252048971

Dear Bogdanw, thanks for all your supportfor this noob! Ultimately it is working properly, see the image.
(Indigo underwent an update, so 2023.2 instead of 2023.1).

 

[rdijkgraaf]

And this too.