Automation : Application Scripts

Quick links:

Mail Scripts
Web browsers
Other Applications

Application Scripts

AppleScript is perfectly suited for integrating different applications, interchanging information, and creating workflows. DEVONthink comes with a number of scripts that exchange information between DEVONthink and other AppleScript supporting applications, like Safari or Mail.

The Script Menu Extra Scripts provided by DEVONthink are installed in an application-specific folder in ~/Library/Scripts/Applications, e.g., ~/Library/Scripts/Applications/Safari. These scripts are accessible from the global scripts menu in the menu bar at the top of your screen while you're in the specific application.

Mail Scripts

Importing email into your DEVONthink databases is a possible use of AppleScript. Using AppleScript-enabled email applications, especially those with a robust scripting dictionary, increases the potential for processing emails. This can help you quickly file those emails directly into DEVONthink.

DEVONthink comes with scripts for Apple Mail, Microsoft Entourage, and Microsoft Outlook. Just select a message or mailbox in a supported email application and choose the desired script from the global scripts menu. DEVONthink provides the following scripts:

Add attachment(s) to DEVONthink: Adds the attachments of selected emails to DEVONthink.
Add mailbox(es) to DEVONthink: Adds the selected mailboxes to DEVONthink.
Add mailbox(es) & attachments to DEVONthink: Adds the selected mailboxes to DEVONthink. Attachments are imported separately.
Add message(s) to DEVONthink: Adds the selected mailboxes to DEVONthink.
Add message(s) & attachments to DEVONthink: Adds the selected mailboxes to DEVONthink. Attachments are imported separately.

PRO

Note: The import of entire mailboxes via AppleScript can be a resource-intensive process. Use the Apple Mail plugin for a more robust experience importing mailboxes.

Web browsers

Depending on the capabilities of the web browser you're using, you may be able to use application scripts. We have included a handful of simple scripts that can be run while browsing in Safari or DEVONagent.

Add abstracts to DEVONthink: Creates a sheet containing information about items in a DEVONagent search. This includes the title, score, summary, and URL of each result. (DEVONagent only)
Add linked images to DEVONthink: Detects images on the current page and adds them to your database.
Add tabs to DEVONthink: Adds bookmarks for active tabs the browser.

PRO

Add linked images to DEVONthink's downloads: Detects images on the current page and adds them to DEVONthink's Download Manager.
Add links to DEVONthink's downloads: Detects URLs on the current page and adds them to DEVONthink's Download Manager.

Other Applications

Obviously we haven't covered all the possible applications or scenarios on your machine, and we are sure you have ideas we haven't thought of. If you have an application you'd like to integrate with DEVONthink, check if it has an AppleScript dictionary. If it does, the potential exists to communicate between the applications. But also be aware the commands, elements, and properties you can work with are coded by the developer of those applications.