Stephen Millard

Would you like to change #focus modes from the #Mac launcher app #Alfred?

I have just published a new Alfred workflow that might just help with that. It dynamically lists your available modes and lets you toggle them on or off with ease and without having to do things like create a switching shortcut every time you add or modify a focus mode.

There's an intro blog post and a documentation page too:
• https://www.thoughtasylum.com/2026/02/14/changing-focus/
• https://www.thoughtasylum.com/alfred/alfred_lens/

Feb 14 at 5:38pmMona for Mac
Show threadRobOFeb 17

@sylumer Just FYI in case others have the problem, I tried to get Lens working, but kept getting an error:

"jq" Not Opened: Apple could not verify "jq" is free of malware that may harm your Mac or compromise your privacy.
The options for this message were "move to trash" and "done" (1/2)

Show threadRobOFeb 17
@sylumer Oddly, the error appeared only after I ran Lens once in Alfred. But that first run, didn't produce a list of focus modes (and yes the shortcut was installed), but rather gave me options for the Extras, Documentation, Configuration, etc.
The solution was to go into System Settings/Privacy and Security and "enable" jq, followed by a couple of more dialog boxes, and then all was good. (2/2)
Show threadStephen MillardFeb 17

@rnailo Strange. I didn't have maybe I had that all done way back bedore using it here. I do want to have instructions in case it does happen - or even add a check into the workflow.

Can you recall anything about the other dialogs?

Show threadRobOFeb 17
@sylumer they were just the standard dialogues that appear after you’ve told the privacy and security pane to allow the app/script. Anyone who gets that far shouldn’t be confused
Show threadStephen MillardFeb 17

@rnailo In fact, I will take a look at rewriting the part I'm using jq for in JXA to try and remove the dependency completely. Should be possible. I just need to experiment a little.

Thanks for flagging it.

Show threadStephen MillardFeb 22

@rnailo I’ve just pushed a 1.1.0 version. This removes the jq dependency and incorporates a check and some guidance for full disk access. Turns out that a file I was checking is covered by TCC (Transparency Consent and Control) and so needs that elevated disk access permission to read it. I’d not noticed as I had already given Alfred full disk access - probably just for file navigation.

Running `update lens` in Alfred should pick it up.

Thanks again.

Show threadRobOFeb 23
@sylumer Thank you!. The update worked just fine