Three Mac permissions, three different jobs
A visual guide to Accessibility, Screen & System Audio Recording, and Automation on macOS. Match the permission to the task before changing settings.
40-second silent visual explanation. The interfaces and values are illustrative. Download video · Captions (VTT) · Transcript (text)
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Opening: Lattices / Field Guide. MACOS PERMISSIONS. Three permissions, three different jobs. Start with the task your tool needs to do.
- 0–10 seconds
Operate a control. Accessibility lets a tool read or use the controls an app exposes.
- 10–20 seconds
Capture the screen. Screen & System Audio Recording covers capture access. It is separate from control access.
- 20–30 seconds
Send app commands. Automation covers Apple Events that let one app command another.
- 30–40 seconds
Start with the task. One workflow may need more than one permission. Check the requesting app; names vary by macOS version.
On-screen diagram labels: Your tool; Accessibility; Exposed controls; Save; Screen & System Audio Recording; Captured image; Automation; Apple Events; App A; App B; One task can cross several boundaries.
Footer: Illustrative example · not a live desktop. lattices.dev/learn.
The idea
Operating exposed controls, capturing a screen, and sending Apple Events use different kinds of access. A workflow can need more than one. Start with the task and the app making the request; settings names can vary by macOS version.
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Documentation reviewed 2026-10-02. Examples are illustrative; this is not a hands-on product benchmark.