ZMAX

ZMAX is a framework that bridges AX (Accessibility) APIs to Swift.

• Requirements: OS X 10.15 or later
• Swift version: 5.2

Installation

Carthage

To install this framework using Carthage, add the following line to your Cartfile.

github "soundflix/ZMAX"

General usage

Getting an application element

let runningApps = NSWorkspace.shared.runningApplications
if let safariApp = runningApps.first(where: { $0.bundleIdentifier == "com.apple.Safari" }) {
	let safari = safariApp.accessibilityElement
}

Getting an attribute

let windows = try safari.getAttribute(for: .windows) as [AXUIElement]

Performing an action

try minimizeButton.performAction(.press)

Example: Pressing minimize buttons in Safari

let runningApps = NSWorkspace.shared.runningApplications
if let safariApp = runningApps.first(where: { $0.bundleIdentifier == "com.apple.Safari" }) {
	let safari = safariApp.accessibilityElement
	
	let windows = try safari.getAttribute(for: .windows) as [AXUIElement]
	for window in windows {
		let minimizeButton = try window.getAttribute(for: .minimizeButton) as AXUIElement
		try minimizeButton.performAction(.press)
	}
}

Observing

Example: Observing focused UI element changes in Safari

let runningApps = NSWorkspace.shared.runningApplications
if let safariApp = runningApps.first(where: { $0.bundleIdentifier == "com.apple.Safari" }) {
	let safari = safariApp.accessibilityElement
	
	let observer = try safariApp.newAccessibilityObserver()
	try observer.observe(element: safari, notification: .focusedUiElementChanged) { element, changes in
		if let role = try? element.getAttribute(for: .role) as String {
			print("focused element changed to \(role).")
		}
	}
	self.safariObserver = observer //keep it!
}

Using original APIs

Since this framework just extends original AXUIElement type, you can use original APIs without casting.

let axError = AXUIElementPerformAction(minimizeButton, (kAXPressAction as CFString))

Error

This framework extends AXError with LocalizedError protocol.

Throwing

You can throw an AXError as a Swift error.

let axError = AXUIElementPerformAction(minimizeButton, (kAXPressAction as CFString))
if (axError != .success) {
	throw axError
}

Throwing with method

By using AXError.throwIfNotSuccess() method, you can call existing functions with try keyword.

try AXUIElementPerformAction(finder.accessibilityElement, kAXPressAction as CFString).throwIfNotSuccess()

Localizing messages

This framework doesn't contain any localization for error messages. But you can provide and customize messages.

AXError.localizedDescriptionHandlers.append { error in
	NSLocalizedString(String(format: "AXError_description_%i", error.rawValue), comment: "")
}
AXError.recoverySuggestionHandlers.append { error in
	NSLocalizedString(String(format: "AXError_recoverySuggestion_%i", error.rawValue), comment: "")
}

Troubleshooting

When it doesn't work, check following:

• Your app is not limited to use accessibility APIs by sandbox.
• Your app is allowed to use accessibility APIs in System Preferences.

License

This framework is distributed under the terms of the MIT License.