A macOS Automator app that fetches a random wallpaper and sets it as your desktop background. Pulls from jalexsan/wallpapers via GitHub, with automatic fallback to Peapix Spotlight if GitHub's CDN blocks the download. Can be scheduled to rotate automatically every hour.
The Automator app runs an AppleScript that:
- Queries the GitHub API to list all files in the
jalexsan/wallpapersrepo - Picks a random image (PNG/JPG/JPEG)
- Downloads it from
raw.githubusercontent.comto~/Pictures/GitHubWallpapers/ - If GitHub's CDN blocks the download, falls back to Peapix Spotlight API (no API key required)
- Sets it as the desktop wallpaper via
System Events - Deletes any previous wallpapers from the cache folder
- Download
WallpaperRotator.zipfrom the repo - Unzip and drag
WallpaperRotator.appto/Applications - Double-click to run — it'll prompt for any needed permissions
Run the install script:
./install_wallpaper_schedule.shTip: Drag and drop the file from Finder into the terminal window instead of typing the path.
This creates a LaunchAgent that runs the app every 3600 seconds. The task appears as "WallpaperRotator" in System Settings > General > Login Items.
./uninstall_wallpaper_schedule.shRemoves the LaunchAgent, the app, and the wallpaper cache.
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
WallpaperRotator.zip |
Zipped Automator application bundle containing the AppleScript workflow |
com.user.wallpaperrotator.plist |
LaunchAgent property list for hourly scheduling |
install_wallpaper_schedule.sh |
Installs and loads the LaunchAgent |
uninstall_wallpaper_schedule.sh |
Unloads and removes the LaunchAgent, app, and cache |
On first run, macOS may ask for:
- Automation — permission to control
System Events(required to change the wallpaper) - Files & Folders — access to
~/Pictures(for downloading wallpapers)
Grant these in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation if they don't prompt automatically.
