I have a use case involving Adobe Photoshop on macOS where I need the Open/Save dialog panel to automatically open a specific directory—ideally one where my test files are already located. Is there a way to achieve this programmatically on macOS? I'm open to solutions using:AppleScriptAutomatorShell scriptsPhotoshop scripting (ExtendScript or UXP)Any other relevant macOS APIs or tools The goal is to streamline the workflow by pre-setting the folder path when the dialog appears. Has anyone implemented something similar or can point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance!— Varadharajan Venkat

Participant

Question

How to Programmatically Set Default Directory in macOS Photoshop Open/Save Dialog?

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
September 25, 2025
3 replies
389 views

I have a use case involving Adobe Photoshop on macOS where I need the Open/Save dialog panel to automatically open a specific directory—ideally one where my test files are already located.

Is there a way to achieve this programmatically on macOS? I'm open to solutions using:

AppleScript
Automator
Shell scripts
Photoshop scripting (ExtendScript or UXP)
Any other relevant macOS APIs or tools

The goal is to streamline the workflow by pre-setting the folder path when the dialog appears.

Has anyone implemented something similar or can point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!

— Varadharajan Venkat

Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

An example here for saving as JPEG, with AM code and DialogModes.ALL

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/save-as-jpeg-again/td-p/12650865

EDIT: This one defaults the save dialog to the active document path, offering interactivity for selecting the file format and or using a different location if needed:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/save-as-isn-t-saving-to-original-folder-even-after-resetting-default-preferences/m-p/13120058

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

This should open the Save As-dialog with the target position being a Folder named »untitled folder« on the Desktop (if it exists).

// 2025, use it at your own risk;
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
try {
var thePath = "~/Desktop/untitled folder";
var theName = activeDocument.name;
var desc6 = new ActionDescriptor();
var desc7 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc6.putObject( stringIDToTypeID( "as" ), stringIDToTypeID( "photoshop35Format" ), desc7 );
desc6.putPath( stringIDToTypeID( "in" ), new File( thePath+"/"+theName ) );
desc6.putBoolean( stringIDToTypeID( "lowerCase" ), true );
desc6.putEnumerated( stringIDToTypeID( "saveStage" ), stringIDToTypeID( "saveStageType" ), stringIDToTypeID( "saveSucceeded" ) );
executeAction( stringIDToTypeID( "save" ), desc6, DialogModes.ALL );
} catch (e) {}
};

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

I don’t fully understand the scenario.

Is there any relation to the open file you want to save and the intended target location (» where my test files are already located«) or is that a different, but fixed location?

V

Varadharajan34869788b3wg

Participant

We are creating adobe exams in photoshop, illustrator, indesign, after effects, premier pro, etc for that we have created few test files in which the candidate needs to work on it and save it. when the candidate opens a open/save panel, they are redirecting to the previous location where they opened or saved a file. accidentally they click save without verifying the location. if we are able to make the open or save panel to always open my predefined folder using any of the above given programming languages, it would be gret. Thanks.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Please elaborate.

Do you want to prevent the users from using a simple »Save« but raise the »Save As«-dialog instead?

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