How to Add Custom Scripts to Mac Right-Click Menu

You have a shell script (.sh) or a Python script that you use constantly. Opening Terminal, navigating to the folder, and typing the command is tedious. You want to just right-click a file and run it.

Here are the two ways to do it on macOS: the "Hard Way" (Apple's built-in Automator) and the "Sane Way" (SaneClick).

Option 1: The Hard Way (Automator)

Free, built-in, but fragile and complex.

  • 1
    Open Automator app
  • 2
    Create a new "Quick Action"
  • 3
    Set "Workflow receives current" to "files or folders" in "Finder"
  • 4
    Drag in "Run Shell Script" action
  • 5
    Change "Pass input" to "as arguments"
  • 6
    Paste your script code (hope you handle spaces in filenames correctly!)
  • 7
    Save it with a specific name
  • 8
    Go to System Settings > Privacy > Extensions to enable it

Result: A slow, buried menu item that often fails silently.

Option 2: The Sane Way (SaneClick)

Fast, robust, designed for developers.

  • ✓
    Click "+" and paste your script
  • ✓
    Instant access in right-click menu
  • ✓
    Smart filters: Only show for specific file types (e.g. .jpg, .ts)
  • ✓
    Safe Execution: Handles file paths properly automatically
  • ✓
    No Subscriptions: One-time $5 payment
Get SaneClick — $5

Why Automator Fails for Power Users

Automator is powerful, but it wasn't built for speed. "Quick Actions" are often slow to load, and debugging them is a nightmare. If your script fails, nothing happens. SaneClick gives you instant feedback and output logs.

Conclusion

If you have one script you use once a month, Automator is fine. If you live in your file system and want a fast, customized workflow, SaneClick is the tool you've been waiting for.