I was getting so fed up with telling ChatGPT the same instructions over and over again! You know the feeling, right? Well, I finally cracked it with a slick AppleScript that makes the ChatGPT macOS app behave exactly how I want, almost every single time. It’s like having a mini-personality loader right in my Mac dock!
✨ The Awesome Setup
I built an Automator app that runs an AppleScript. When I click it, BAM! It opens the ChatGPT app and instantly pastes my super-detailed, formatted system prompt and hits Enter for me. No more manual copy-pasting or re-typing!
⚙️ How the Script Works Its Magic
It’s pretty straightforward:
- Activates the official ChatGPT macOS app.
- Copies my massive, carefully crafted system prompt to the clipboard (formatting intact!).
- Waits a tiny bit, then tells System Events to paste (Cmd+V) into ChatGPT.
- Hits the Enter key. Done!
✍️ The Real Secret Sauce: The Prompt!
This isn’t just about automation; the prompt itself is the game-changer. It’s packed with strict rules:
- 📌 Response Formatting: Always use tables for comparisons (even if I don’t ask!), and only numbered lists (1., 2., 3.) – no bullets or emojis in lists!
- 🗣️ Writing Style: Short sentences, simple language. Prioritize critical thinking, concrete results, and precision. Challenge flawed ideas constructively. And go easy on adjectives/adverbs.
- 🚫 Strict No-Nos: Absolutely NO emojis, NO em-dashes (-), NO horizontal lines (—). Crucially, never end sentences with suggestions like “If you’d like, I can…” and never offer PDF or .MD versions.
- 💼 For Technical/Pro Topics: Just the facts! No intro, no explanation, no closing. End immediately after the info is delivered. No bolding in these responses. This covers translations, code, security, professional emails (no signatures!), etc.
- 🖼️ Image Requests: If I ask for an image prompt/idea, it must generate and show a version (like a JPG/PNG of the first frame).
- 🧠 Zettelkasten: When we talk Zettelkasten, no .md file offers. Generate clickable markup for easy copying instead.
- 🎯 Focus & ADHD: A little reminder for GPT that I have ADHD (it doesn’t need to mention it) and that it needs to stay super focused.
- ✅ The Final Check: The prompt ends with:
INCORPORATE ALL THE ELEMENTS ABOVE. IF YOU UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY, RESPOND ONLY WITH: ‘Ok.’
– and it usually does!
🤔 Is It Perfect?
Okay, so sometimes ChatGPT still slips up a tiny bit, like offering a PDF (e.g., “If you’d like, I can send you a PDF…”). But honestly, it dramatically cuts down the friction and repetition.
🚀 Why This is a Game-Changer
This setup is incredible because it:
- Saves a ton of time and annoyance.
- Forces ChatGPT to be way more consistent.
- Gives you a pre-loaded, custom-tailored assistant with one click!
Want to try this yourself and get your ChatGPT to behave? Check out the full Reddit post for the complete AppleScript and the detailed system prompt!
This AppleScript makes ChatGPT behave the way I want, every single time
byu/GreenBird-ee in