--- name: automating-voice-memos description: Automates Apple Voice Memos (Mac Catalyst, no dictionary) via JXA using filesystem/SQLite access and System Events UI scripting. Use when asked to "automate Voice Memos", "export voice recordings", "access Voice Memos database", or "transcribe voice memos". allowed-tools: - Bash - Read - Write --- # Automating Voice Memos (no dictionary, data+UI hybrid) ## Relationship to the macOS automation skill - This is a standalone skill for Voice Memos automation. - For setup help, see the `automating-mac-apps` skill for permissions (Full Disk Access, Accessibility) and the ObjC bridge basics. - Prerequisites: Basic JXA (JavaScript for Automation) knowledge; install via macOS System Preferences > Security & Privacy. ## Core Framing - **Catalyst App**: Voice Memos is an iOS app adapted for macOS without full macOS APIs, hence no AppleScript dictionary for automation. - **UI-first**: Prefer UI scripting/keyboard shortcuts for exports to avoid touching the database/container. - **Data (optional)**: Use data-layer control only if needed (ObjC + sqlite3). This requires broader permissions. - **Permissions**: Accessibility for UI automation; Full Disk Access only if you read/write the container/DB. ## Workflow (default) 1) UI-first (no FDA): export via menu/shortcut to a folder you control. 2) Optional data path: resolve storage paths; query CloudRecordings.db (Apple epoch +978307200) only if required. 3) For UI actions (recording/export), drive the app with System Events (shortcuts preferred over clicks). 4) For editing, prefer external tools (ffmpeg) after export; avoid writing directly into the container unless you accept FDA. ## Quickstart (UI-only export; no Full Disk Access) - Open Voice Memos and select a recording. - Export/share UI: the Share sheet can send audio to Notes/other apps (no direct File > Export). - Transcript copy (UI-only, no FDA): - Run: `osascript skills/automating-voice-memos/scripts/copy_transcript_to_file.applescript "/path/to/output.txt"` - Defaults: Desktop/voice-memo-transcript.txt if no arg. - Shows transcript (if available), selects all, copies, and writes to the target file via clipboard. ## Permissions - **Accessibility**: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility > Enable for System Events and your automation app (Terminal/Python/Script Editor). - **Full Disk Access**: Only if you read/write the Voice Memos container/DB directly. UI-only exports do not require FDA. - **Verify**: For UI-only, confirm you can open the Export menu and interact with the save dialog. For data access, verify `${home}/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.VoiceMemos.shared/`. ## Validation Checklist After implementing Voice Memos automation: - [ ] Verify Accessibility permissions granted for Terminal/Script Editor - [ ] Confirm Voice Memos app opens and responds to UI scripting - [ ] Test transcript copy script executes without errors - [ ] Validate output file contains expected transcript text - [ ] For data access: verify Full Disk Access and database path exists ## Troubleshooting - **Permission denied**: Verify Full Disk Access and Accessibility permissions. - **Database locked**: Close Voice Memos app before querying. - **File not found**: Check macOS version for correct storage path. - **UI automation failures**: Ensure Voice Memos is focused and Accessibility is enabled. ## When Not to Use - For cross-platform audio recording (use ffmpeg or platform-agnostic tools) - When you need programmatic audio capture (use AVFoundation directly) - For iOS Voice Memos automation (no API available) - When Full Disk Access cannot be granted ## What to load - Start with basics & prerequisites: `automating-voice-memos/references/voice-memos-basics.md` (setup and core concepts). - UI automation: `automating-voice-memos/references/voice-memos-ui.md` (shortcuts, AX scripting). - Data access (if needed): `automating-voice-memos/references/voice-memos-data.md` (storage paths, epochs, database schema). - Recipes: `automating-voice-memos/references/voice-memos-recipes.md` (exports, transcripts, recording control). --- Source attribution: SpillwaveSolutions Original project: https://github.com/SpillwaveSolutions/automating-mac-apps-plugin/blob/5f37bd4ecb1746fc86f3d618e8aa81fc6a61c486/plugins/automating-mac-apps-plugin/skills/automating-voice-memos/SKILL.md License: MIT License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI. ## Upstream license notice MIT License Copyright (c) 2024 Richard Hightower Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE. # Dave AI resource metadata Creator / publisher: SpillwaveSolutions Original project: https://github.com/SpillwaveSolutions/automating-mac-apps-plugin/blob/5f37bd4ecb1746fc86f3d618e8aa81fc6a61c486/plugins/automating-mac-apps-plugin/skills/automating-voice-memos/SKILL.md Attribution basis: Recovered original package and original project license at a pinned revision Fields of work: Content & Media, Customer Support Roles: Support Agent, Technical Writer Specialties: Specialty not specified Tools: Bash, Read, Write Country applicability: Country not specified Classification basis: Source catalog labels Instruction SHA-256: 9085c93077699e4dd81f7d15a69c6020e0d06630f68e49de6dfa6d985a9ef766 Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27 This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.