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mikel53523125
Participant
September 25, 2025
Question

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

  • September 25, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 402 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

3 replies

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 25, 2025

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

 

 
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:
 
    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 25, 2025

    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
      c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 25, 2025

      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
      October 10, 2025

      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.

      V
      Varadharajan34869788b3wg
      Participant
      October 13, 2025

      I am not sure I understand your actual intended process. 

       

      I suppose one could catch the Save-event via Script Events Manager and run a Script instead. 

      But that would need to be set on every computer in question. 


      We can set it on every computer using preferences if available or if we have the extended script and if we have a way to get notified when a open or save panel is triggered we could run the script and in the end we can restore the application preferences to its original state.

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