Smart Rule doesn't automatically start

[IvanPsy]

Smart Rule doesn’t automatically start: what am I doing wrong?

I set up a Hazel rule: when a PDF meets some conditions, Hazel rename it, gives it a tag, then moves the file to a “Import to DevonThink” folder.
This folder is set up so that the file is moved straight to the Inbox of DT.
I’ve set up an action for this folder.

Then a Smart Rule should start.
This rule detects the files accordingly, it acts as needed if I click on “Apply rule”, but I want it to start automatically when the new file enters the Inbox.

What am I doing wrong?

I’m open to all the options: I also can get rid of the “Import to DevonThink” folder, if I learn how to move the file directly to DT via Hazel.

This is the rule:

[cgrunenberg]

@IvanPsy

This folder is set up so that the file is moved straight to the Inbox of DT.

How exactly are the files moved from the folder to the inbox? Via a script or folder action?

[BLUEFROG]

If you’re just putting documents into the Global Inbox for further processing in DEVONthink, you can target its alias very simply in the Hazel rule…

This would trigger a smart rule.

PS: Adding the tag was only used for a matching criterion in a test smart rule.

However, if you’re using a script in the Hazel rule to import into a database like this, it will not work as scripts don’t trigger smart rules by default…

But…

You can trigger a smart rule via the script in the Hazel rule.

Take note this approach is less useful if you’re just putting things in the Global Inbox. In that case, the Move rule would be more appropriate. In this last example, you’ll note I am adding to the Inbox of a separate database. In use cases like this, such a script would be required for a Hazel rule.

But also stop to consider what you’re doing with Hazel and a watched folder and whether you you could simply accomplish this with by indexing the watched group and running a smart rule in DEVONthink. In my examples here, Hazel is offering no benefit.

[IvanPsy]

@cgrunenberg indeed it’s a script. I wasn’t aware of it.

So I followed the tip from @BLUEFROG : I just changed the destination folder from “Import to DevonThink” to the Inbox, a folder that I wasn’t aware of (thank you Bluefrog!).
So now I can delete the previous folder.

@BLUEFROG I use Hazel only to rename the files following some content that is inside the file itself, then Hazel add a tag and move the file to DevonThink.

If I can do all of these right inside DT, then I can follow your other tip: having my Download folder indexed into DT, so that DT can watch it.
But I don’t know if I can get the same granular rules of Hazel (i.e.: looking inside the document for strings of text and make dynamic operations on the file accordingly).
Maybe I’ll create another thread next days, so that conversions stays clear…

If I can, then I’ll be able to delete Hazel.

[chrillek]

@IvanPsy

looking inside the document for strings of text and make dynamic operations on the file accordingly).

This might require some scripting, depending on the details. See

Using a single smart rule instead of Hazel (maybe)

Some people (me included) use a naming convention for their files and put them in certain goups depending on sender and/or content. I’m doing that for bank statements, some of the regularly arriving invoices and income statements. In DT, you’d need one smart rule per target group, since it’s not possible to move a record to a group depending on some criteria. So if you have 5 bank accounts and two companies regularly sending you invoices, you’d need seven separate rules. Which is not good, beca…