How can I turn these steps into an action?

[kdash1228]

These are the steps I want to turn into an action. I have bolded the step that I cannot figure out how to turn into an action, I only have a portion of the steps recorded.

1. Copy subject layer
2. Convert to Smart Filter (Blending Mode: Overlay)
3. Filter > High Pass
4. Adjust value until you can see the dark circles
5. Create new blank layer UNDER the new subject layer
6. Clip copied subject layer to blank layer
7. Brush tool (Color: Brighter skin ton, Flow: 5%)
8. Paint over dark circles

This is the end goal

When I open an image in Photoshop, I always duplicate the Background layer. I can't figure out how to tell Adobe to copy the the original duplicated layer then turn the newly copied layer into a Smart Filter.

I tried using the Stop action, but I can't do anything other than close the message.

[Bojan Živković]

"I tried using the Stop action, but I can't do anything other than close the message."

You can pause the action (Stop), do something else, and resume the action whenever you like.

"When I open an image in Photoshop, I always duplicate the Background layer. I can't figure out how to tell Adobe to copy the the original duplicated layer then turn the newly copied layer into a Smart Filter."

I'm not sure what you are asking for. Do you want to duplicate the layer below the current one? You can use a keyboard shortcut to select the layer below or the bottommost layer (Background). Alternatively, you can click on the Background layer to select it, if your files always have a Background layer and you don't intend to share the action. Then, you can duplicate it and convert it to a smart object.

[Mike_Gondek]

Record Select All and Copy

In this case I record the selection of a layer named Subject,. Was  not sure if  you have  a layer named subject or if the layer is already selected.

After reading what you wrote on the bottom ir recorded this.

Not sure where you are stuck, so hope this helps.