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macOS Automator MCP

MCP server for running AppleScript and JavaScript for Automation on macOS, with a searchable knowledge base of automation recipes for apps, files, browsers, system settings, Terminal, and productivity workflows.

Review first review before installing

Open the source and read safety notes before installing.

Citation facts

Source-backed facts for citing this resource, derived directly from the registry — also available as plain text for AI assistants.

Source URLs
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/steipete/macos-automator-mcp/main/README.md, https://github.com/steipete/macos-automator-mcp
Brand
macOS Automator MCP
Brand domain
github.com
Safety notes
macOS Automator MCP executes AppleScript or JavaScript for Automation through `osascript`, either from inline script content, an absolute script path, or a knowledge-base script ID., AppleScript and JXA can control local applications, read and write files, run shell commands through scripting additions, manipulate browser tabs, send keystrokes, change settings, and trigger app-specific actions depending on macOS permissions., Do not grant broad Automation or Accessibility permissions to the host process unless you trust the MCP client, prompts, and scripts it will run., Review generated scripts before execution, use short timeouts for untrusted automations, and avoid running scripts against Mail, Messages, Contacts, Calendar, browsers, password managers, terminals, or cloud-sync folders without explicit approval., Knowledge-base scripts and custom local knowledge-base overrides can change the behavior of reusable script IDs; review local overrides before relying on them., Use separate macOS user accounts or test machines when experimenting with destructive file, shell, browser, or system-setting automation.
Privacy notes
Scripts can expose local file paths, file contents, clipboard data, browser URLs and page data, email subjects, contacts, calendar events, messages, app state, system settings, shell output, and account-specific metadata., Error responses and optional debugging settings can include attempted script content, script paths, substitution logs, stderr, and execution details., The local knowledge base defaults to `~/.macos-automator/knowledge_base` when configured and may contain private automation recipes or paths., MCP clients, model providers, terminal history, and application logs may retain script inputs and outputs, including data read from local apps.
Author
Peter Steinberger
Submitted by
oktofeesh1
Claim status
unclaimed
Last verified
2026-06-06

Decision playbook

Review trust signals before you adopt

Signals are present but mixed. Use the checklist below to confirm the source and operational safety for your environment.

Compare context
Selected

0

Current score

63

Baseline

Delta

No baseline selected

No major trust-signal divergence detected in the current selection.

Source and provenance checks

Needs review

Confirm ownership and provenance before trusting install instructions.

  • Source link availableRequired

    Open the canonical repository and verify ownership.

    Done
  • Source provenance statusRequired

    Marked as source-backed.

    Done
  • Metadata reviewed

    No reviewed flag detected in metadata.

    Pending

Safety and privacy checks

Complete

Validate risk disclosures before installation or API wiring.

  • Safety notes presentRequired

    Review the listed safety guidance before running commands.

    Done
  • Privacy notes presentRequired

    Review data handling notes before connecting accounts or secrets.

    Done
  • Trust level risk gateRequired

    Trust level does not block evaluation.

    Done

Package and install checks

Needs review

Check package metadata and artifact integrity signals.

  • Install payload available

    Install or copy payload is available for review.

    Done
  • Package verification flag

    No package verification flag provided.

    Pending
  • Checksum metadata

    No checksum provided for downloaded artifact.

    Pending

Compare-driven decision checks

Needs review

Use compare context to validate trade-offs before adoption.

  • Compare tray has multiple entries

    Add at least one more entry to compare trust differences.

    Pending
  • Baseline comparison available

    No baseline peer selected yet.

    Pending
  • Diverging trust signals identified

    No major trust-signal divergence found.

    Pending

Setup at a glance

CLI install

Copy-ready — paste the snippet to get started.

10 minutes

Adoption plan

Balanced adoption plan

Current risk score 24/100. Use staged verification before broader rollout.

Risk 24

Pre-adoption checks

Validate source and review signals before any execution.

  • Confirm source provenanceRequired

    Source URL/provenance metadata is present.

    Done
  • Confirm metadata review state

    No review metadata found; increase manual validation.

    Pending
  • Verify install payload

    Install/config payload exists and can be inspected.

    Done

Security checks

Confirm safety, privacy, and package integrity signals.

  • Review safety notesRequired

    Safety notes are present.

    Done
  • Review privacy notesRequired

    Privacy notes are present.

    Done
  • Verify package integrity metadata

    No package verification/checksum metadata.

    Pending

Rollout

Adopt in controlled steps based on the selected plan.

  • Run in isolated sandbox firstRequired

    Use a constrained sandbox and observe behavior across multiple tasks.

    Pending
  • Roll out graduallyRequired

    Roll out to a small cohort before wider usage.

    Pending
  • Set monitoring and fallback

    Define rollback path and monitor errors after adoption.

    Pending

Evidence readiness

Evidence readiness matrix · balanced

Missing required evidence: Metadata review. Risk score 31.

Risk 31

Source provenance

Present

Source repository/provenance is listed.

Required in this preset

Metadata review

Missing

Review metadata is missing.

Required in this preset

Safety notes

Present

Safety notes are present.

Required in this preset

Privacy notes

Present

Privacy notes are present.

Optional in this preset

Package integrity

Missing

Package integrity metadata is missing.

Optional in this preset

Install payload

Present

Install payload is available.

Required in this preset

Required gaps: Metadata review

Decision timeline

Decision timeline · balanced

Blocking gaps: Check metadata review status. Risk 28.

Risk 28

triage

Confirm source provenanceRequired

Source/provenance metadata is available.

Done

triage

Check metadata review statusRequired

Review metadata is missing.

Pending

verify

Review safety notesRequired

Safety notes are available.

Done

verify

Review privacy notes

Privacy notes are available.

Done

verify

Validate package integrity metadata

Package integrity metadata is missing.

Pending

rollout

Verify install payload and commandsRequired

Install payload is available.

Done

Blockers: Check metadata review status

Prerequisite readiness

Prerequisite readiness

5 prerequisites to line up before setup. Have accounts and credentials ready first.

0/5 ready
Account & credentials1Install & runtime1Permissions & scopes2General110 minutes

Safety & privacy surface

Safety & privacy surface

6 safety and 4 privacy notes across 5 risk areas. Review closely: credentials & tokens, permissions & scopes, third-party handling.

5 areas
  • SafetyLocal filesmacOS Automator MCP executes AppleScript or JavaScript for Automation through `osascript`, either from inline script content, an absolute script path, or a knowledge-base script ID.
  • SafetyPermissions & scopesAppleScript and JXA can control local applications, read and write files, run shell commands through scripting additions, manipulate browser tabs, send keystrokes, change settings, and trigger app-specific actions depending on macOS permissions.
  • SafetyPermissions & scopesDo not grant broad Automation or Accessibility permissions to the host process unless you trust the MCP client, prompts, and scripts it will run.
  • SafetyCredentials & tokensReview generated scripts before execution, use short timeouts for untrusted automations, and avoid running scripts against Mail, Messages, Contacts, Calendar, browsers, password managers, terminals, or cloud-sync folders without explicit approval.
  • SafetyExecution & processesKnowledge-base scripts and custom local knowledge-base overrides can change the behavior of reusable script IDs; review local overrides before relying on them.
  • SafetyLocal filesUse separate macOS user accounts or test machines when experimenting with destructive file, shell, browser, or system-setting automation.
  • PrivacyLocal filesScripts can expose local file paths, file contents, clipboard data, browser URLs and page data, email subjects, contacts, calendar events, messages, app state, system settings, shell output, and account-specific metadata.
  • PrivacyLocal filesError responses and optional debugging settings can include attempted script content, script paths, substitution logs, stderr, and execution details.
  • PrivacyLocal filesThe local knowledge base defaults to `~/.macos-automator/knowledge_base` when configured and may contain private automation recipes or paths.
  • PrivacyThird-party handlingMCP clients, model providers, terminal history, and application logs may retain script inputs and outputs, including data read from local apps.

Disclosure: Open-source MIT-licensed MCP server published as the `@steipete/macos-automator-mcp` npm package.

Safety notes

  • macOS Automator MCP executes AppleScript or JavaScript for Automation through `osascript`, either from inline script content, an absolute script path, or a knowledge-base script ID.
  • AppleScript and JXA can control local applications, read and write files, run shell commands through scripting additions, manipulate browser tabs, send keystrokes, change settings, and trigger app-specific actions depending on macOS permissions.
  • Do not grant broad Automation or Accessibility permissions to the host process unless you trust the MCP client, prompts, and scripts it will run.
  • Review generated scripts before execution, use short timeouts for untrusted automations, and avoid running scripts against Mail, Messages, Contacts, Calendar, browsers, password managers, terminals, or cloud-sync folders without explicit approval.
  • Knowledge-base scripts and custom local knowledge-base overrides can change the behavior of reusable script IDs; review local overrides before relying on them.
  • Use separate macOS user accounts or test machines when experimenting with destructive file, shell, browser, or system-setting automation.

Privacy notes

  • Scripts can expose local file paths, file contents, clipboard data, browser URLs and page data, email subjects, contacts, calendar events, messages, app state, system settings, shell output, and account-specific metadata.
  • Error responses and optional debugging settings can include attempted script content, script paths, substitution logs, stderr, and execution details.
  • The local knowledge base defaults to `~/.macos-automator/knowledge_base` when configured and may contain private automation recipes or paths.
  • MCP clients, model providers, terminal history, and application logs may retain script inputs and outputs, including data read from local apps.

Prerequisites

  • macOS on the machine running the MCP server.
  • Node.js 24 or newer for the published npm package.
  • Automation permissions for the terminal, editor, or app that launches the MCP server.
  • Accessibility permissions when scripts need UI scripting, clicks, keystrokes, or System Events access.
  • A clear boundary for which apps, files, accounts, and workflows Claude is allowed to automate.

Schema details

Install type
cli
Troubleshooting
No
Source repository stats
Scope
Source repo
Collection metadata
Estimated setup
10 minutes
Difficulty
advanced
Tool listing metadata
Disclosure
Open-source MIT-licensed MCP server published as the `@steipete/macos-automator-mcp` npm package.
Full copyable content
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "macos_automator": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "--package",
        "@steipete/macos-automator-mcp",
        "macos-automator-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

About this resource

Content

macOS Automator MCP lets Claude execute AppleScript and JavaScript for Automation on macOS. It exposes an execute_script tool for inline scripts, absolute script paths, or knowledge-base script IDs, plus a get_scripting_tips tool for discovering reusable automation recipes.

Use it when Claude needs supervised access to macOS automation tasks such as controlling apps, reading browser or Finder state, preparing scripts, searching the built-in knowledge base, or running vetted scripts under the permissions of the host application.

Source Review

These sources were reviewed on 2026-06-06. Prefer the live repository, README, npm registry metadata, license, package manifest, launcher script, server entrypoint, script executor, input schemas, and knowledge-base service for current installation and behavior details.

Features

  • Run AppleScript through osascript.
  • Run JavaScript for Automation by passing the JavaScript language option.
  • Execute inline script content, absolute script paths, or knowledge-base script IDs.
  • Pass positional arguments or structured input_data into supported scripts.
  • Configure execution timeout and AppleScript output formatting.
  • Optionally include executed script content, substitution logs, and execution timing in responses.
  • Search a built-in knowledge base of macOS automation tips and reusable script IDs.
  • Load custom knowledge-base overrides from a local path.
  • Control logging verbosity and lazy or eager knowledge-base parsing through environment variables.

Installation

Add the npm package to an MCP client on macOS:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "macos_automator": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "--package",
        "@steipete/macos-automator-mcp",
        "macos-automator-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code users can add it with:

claude mcp add macos-automator -- npx -y --package @steipete/macos-automator-mcp macos-automator-mcp

After adding the server, grant the terminal, editor, or app that launches the server only the macOS Automation and Accessibility permissions needed for the apps and workflows you intend to automate.

Use Cases

  • Ask Claude to find an existing AppleScript recipe before writing a new one.
  • Run a vetted script that reads the current Safari tab URL.
  • Automate Finder file organization on a test folder.
  • Control app windows or settings under macOS Automation permissions.
  • Prototype JXA scripts with explicit timeouts and visible output.
  • Build a private local knowledge base of approved automation recipes.
  • Debug script permissions and output formatting for a macOS workflow.

Safety and Privacy

This server runs scripts on the local Mac. Treat execute_script like a local automation and code-execution capability, not a read-only helper. Review scripts before running them, keep permissions narrow, and test destructive or app-writing workflows on disposable files or a separate macOS user account.

Automation and Accessibility permissions can allow the host process to control apps, inspect UI state, send keystrokes, click buttons, read windows, and change settings. Give those permissions only to trusted launchers and only for the apps needed by the workflow.

Script output can include private local data from files, browser tabs, clipboard, messages, email, calendars, contacts, shell commands, and app state. Avoid sharing transcripts that include script inputs, outputs, paths, local knowledge-base entries, or permission errors.

Duplicate Check

Existing entries include narrower macOS automation surfaces such as iTerm MCP, but no macOS Automator MCP, steipete/macos-automator-mcp, @steipete/macos-automator-mcp, or general AppleScript/JXA automation MCP entry was found in content/mcp.

Source citations

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How it compares

macOS Automator MCP side by side with 3 alternatives on trust, install, platform support, and disclosed safety notes — all from reviewed registry metadata.

Field

MCP server for running AppleScript and JavaScript for Automation on macOS, with a searchable knowledge base of automation recipes for apps, files, browsers, system settings, Terminal, and productivity workflows.

Open dossier

Unity MCP server, plugin, CLI, and skill generator for controlling Unity Editor and runtime projects from MCP clients through built-in game-dev tools.

Open dossier

MCP server for Anki flashcards that lets Claude review cards, manage decks, create and update notes, handle tags and media, inspect stats, and drive Anki desktop GUI workflows.

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MCP and REST server for creating short-form videos from scene text, Pexels search terms, text-to-speech, captions, background music, Whisper captions, FFmpeg, and Remotion rendering.

Open dossier
Next steps
Trust
Review statusNot reviewedNot reviewedNot reviewedNot reviewed
Package trustPackage not verifiedPackage not verifiedPackage not verifiedPackage not verified
Source provenanceSource-backedSource-backedSource-backedSource-backed
Submitteroktofeesh1oktofeesh1oktofeesh1oktofeesh1
Install riskReview firstReview firstReview firstReview first
Notes Safety ✓ Privacy ✓ Safety ✓ Privacy ✓ Safety ✓ Privacy ✓ Safety ✓ Privacy ✓
BrandAI Game Developer logoAI Game DeveloperAnki MCP Server logoAnki MCP Server
Categorymcpmcpmcpmcp
SourceSource-backedSource-backedSource-backedSource-backed
AuthorPeter SteinbergerIvan MurzakAnkiMCPDavid Gyori
Added2026-06-062026-06-062026-06-062026-06-06
Platforms
Harness
Source repo
Safety notesmacOS Automator MCP executes AppleScript or JavaScript for Automation through `osascript`, either from inline script content, an absolute script path, or a knowledge-base script ID. AppleScript and JXA can control local applications, read and write files, run shell commands through scripting additions, manipulate browser tabs, send keystrokes, change settings, and trigger app-specific actions depending on macOS permissions. Do not grant broad Automation or Accessibility permissions to the host process unless you trust the MCP client, prompts, and scripts it will run. Review generated scripts before execution, use short timeouts for untrusted automations, and avoid running scripts against Mail, Messages, Contacts, Calendar, browsers, password managers, terminals, or cloud-sync folders without explicit approval. Knowledge-base scripts and custom local knowledge-base overrides can change the behavior of reusable script IDs; review local overrides before relying on them. Use separate macOS user accounts or test machines when experimenting with destructive file, shell, browser, or system-setting automation.AI Game Developer can create, move, copy, modify, and delete Unity assets, scenes, GameObjects, components, scripts, packages, and generated project files. Tools include dynamic C# script execution, C# reflection method lookup and calls, package installation/removal, Unity test execution, editor state changes, play mode control, screenshots, and profiler access. The MCP server supports streamable HTTP and stdio; HTTP deployments should require a bearer token and stay bound to trusted interfaces. Server variables include optional authorization and webhook settings; webhook endpoints can receive tool, prompt, resource, connection, and authorization events. Unity runtime connections can expose compiled game state or in-game behavior to an MCP client, not just editor-only project data. Use source control, backups, tool filtering, and explicit review before allowing destructive tools such as asset deletion, package removal, script execution, or reflection calls.Anki MCP Server can create, update, delete, move, tag, rate, and sync cards and notes through AnkiConnect. Destructive tools include note deletion, media deletion, unused-tag clearing, deck moves, tag replacement, model styling changes, and review rating actions that affect scheduling. The server supports read-only mode that blocks exposed write actions, but users should still review tool calls before enabling unrestricted study or collection-management workflows. Media tools can store files from local paths, URLs, or base64 data and can retrieve media as base64 content. GUI tools can open Anki windows, select cards, edit notes, show answers, and undo the last Anki action. Remote tunnel or ngrok-style setups expose local Anki to cloud-hosted AI clients and require careful authentication, origin, and URL-sharing controls.Short Video Maker runs an HTTP server with MCP SSE routes and REST routes for creating and serving generated videos. The create-short-video tool queues video rendering work that can consume CPU, memory, disk, browser rendering resources, and optional GPU resources. Generated videos combine user-provided narration text, Pexels search terms, downloaded background clips, local music assets, TTS output, captions, and rendered media. The server stores generated videos and temporary files under its configured data directory. Validate scene text, search terms, claims, branding, and rights before publishing generated videos to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or other platforms.
Privacy notesScripts can expose local file paths, file contents, clipboard data, browser URLs and page data, email subjects, contacts, calendar events, messages, app state, system settings, shell output, and account-specific metadata. Error responses and optional debugging settings can include attempted script content, script paths, substitution logs, stderr, and execution details. The local knowledge base defaults to `~/.macos-automator/knowledge_base` when configured and may contain private automation recipes or paths. MCP clients, model providers, terminal history, and application logs may retain script inputs and outputs, including data read from local apps.Tool calls may expose Unity project paths, asset names, scene hierarchy, serialized object data, scripts, logs, screenshots, profiler metrics, test output, package metadata, and runtime state. MCP config files and Unity plugin config can contain server URLs, connection modes, bearer tokens, authorization settings, enabled tool IDs, and cloud or local endpoint details. Optional webhooks can receive tool, prompt, resource, connection, authorization, and token-bearing request data. Screenshots from Game View, Scene View, cameras, or isolated GameObjects may include proprietary artwork, level design, UI, debug overlays, or unreleased game content. Generated skills and AI-client configuration files can reveal available tools, project structure, installed packages, and local workflow assumptions.Tool calls can expose deck names, note fields, card contents, tags, review history, media filenames, base64 media, selected notes, collection stats, scheduling metadata, and AnkiConnect errors. Flashcards may contain medical, language-learning, school, work, personal, customer, or confidential study material. Sync can send Anki collection changes to AnkiWeb according to the user's Anki account and sync settings. Local media file paths, URLs imported into cards, and GUI-selected note IDs can enter MCP client context and model logs. Remote tunnel providers and hosted clients may process connection metadata or traffic according to their own policies.`PEXELS_API_KEY` is sent to the Pexels API when searching for background videos. Scene text, search terms, generated narration, captions, video IDs, logs, output filenames, and render status can reveal campaign ideas, private scripts, brand plans, or client work. Generated files remain on disk until removed according to the deployment's data-directory and retention practices. Pexels requests, model downloads, Docker pulls, npm installs, and platform uploads may expose network metadata to third parties outside the MCP client.
Prerequisites
  • macOS on the machine running the MCP server.
  • Node.js 24 or newer for the published npm package.
  • Automation permissions for the terminal, editor, or app that launches the MCP server.
  • Accessibility permissions when scripts need UI scripting, clicks, keystrokes, or System Events access.
  • Unity project using Unity 2022.3 or newer for the current package metadata.
  • Unity Hub or a local Unity Editor installation.
  • Node.js 20.19 or newer, or Node.js 22.12 or newer, for `unity-mcp-cli`.
  • An MCP client such as Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot, Cline, or another supported client.
  • Anki Desktop installed and running.
  • The AnkiConnect add-on installed in Anki.
  • Node.js 22.12 or newer for the npm package path.
  • Review of which decks, cards, tags, media files, and note types the MCP client may access.
  • Node.js or Docker available on the machine that will run the video server.
  • Pexels API key configured through `PEXELS_API_KEY`.
  • Enough CPU, memory, and disk for Whisper, Kokoro, FFmpeg, Remotion, temporary files, and rendered videos.
  • MCP client that can connect to an SSE MCP endpoint.
Install
npx -y --package @steipete/macos-automator-mcp macos-automator-mcp
npm install -g unity-mcp-cli && unity-mcp-cli install-plugin ./MyUnityProject
npx -y @ankimcp/anki-mcp-server --stdio
Run the upstream Docker image or `npx short-video-maker` with `PEXELS_API_KEY` set, then connect an MCP client to the server's `/mcp/sse` endpoint.
Config
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "macos_automator": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "--package",
        "@steipete/macos-automator-mcp",
        "macos-automator-mcp"
      ],
      "type": "stdio"
    }
  }
}
Manual-only setup:
npm install -g unity-mcp-cli
unity-mcp-cli install-plugin ./MyUnityProject
unity-mcp-cli open ./MyUnityProject
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "anki": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@ankimcp/anki-mcp-server",
        "--stdio"
      ],
      "type": "stdio"
    }
  }
}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "short-video-maker": {
      "url": "{short-video-maker-sse-url}"
    }
  }
}
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