OSX TextEdit save with the first line

Question

Is it possible to make TextEdit save an unnamed opened file with the first line (or first word) of the text of that document?

eg: I create a new text document in TextEdit; write the first line as I want the file name also to be, lets say:"Test"; I close the document and I get the file saved as "Test.xxx"

thanks

Answer 1

Solution that uses a shell script or an Automator workflow

Open Automator and create a workflow. When asked to choose a workflow type, choose one that fits your preference.

Drag the template Utilities » Run Shell Script into the empty workflow; this opens a large text field. Paste the following code into the text field:

#!/bin/bash
EXTENSION=xxx
SCRIPT_NAME='Create a file whose first line determines the file name'

TMP_FILE="$(mktemp -dt "create_file_whose_first_line_determines_file_name.XXXXXXXXXX")/New file whose first line determines the file name.txt"
echo 'untitled.txt' > "${TMP_FILE}" && open -neW "${TMP_FILE}"

TARGET_FILE="$(head -n 1 "${TMP_FILE}").${EXTENSION}"
if tail -n +2 "${TMP_FILE}" >> "${TARGET_FILE}"
then
  osascript -e "display notification \"${TARGET_FILE}\" with title \"File created\""
  open -R "${TARGET_FILE}"
else
  osascript -e "display notification \"${TARGET_FILE}\" with title \"Unable to create file\""
  open -R "${TMP_FILE}"
fi

(Note: Change EXTENSION=xxx to whatever extension you need.)

Save your workflow to any location that is convenient. Run the workflow without arguments; it will open a temporary file in a new TextEdit instance and wait for you to save and close TextEdit. The script will then create the file as per your requirements.

If successful, the script will reveal the newly created file in the Finder.

If the script is unable to create a file, it will reveal the temporary file in the Finder.