Ecamm works with other apps and scripts to automate tasks for your show. You can switch Scenes, control audio, update text overlays, and combine several steps into one workflow.
Remote Control API
Ecamm’s Remote Control API lets developers build apps and tools that control Ecamm. For example, an app can select a Scene, change an audio level, or read information about the current production.
The API uses Bonjour to find Ecamm on the local network and HTTP requests to send commands. See the Remote Control API documentation (PDF) for connection details, required headers, commands, and parameters.
When an app requests access, Ecamm asks you to allow the connection. To manage access, open Ecamm ➝ Preferences ➝ Remote Control and use the checkbox next to the app’s name. Apps appear in this list after requesting access. See Remote Control Preferences for more details.
AppleScript Automation
Use AppleScript to control Ecamm from a script on your Mac. You can combine Ecamm commands with commands for other scriptable apps to prepare your workspace or run part of your show.
To see the available commands, open Script Editor, choose File ➝ Open Dictionary, and select Ecamm Live.
Here’s a simple example that switches to a Scene named “Opening”:
-- Switch to the Opening Scene in the current Profile.
tell application "Ecamm Live"
set scene name "Opening"
end tell
To try it, open Ecamm and select the Profile containing your Scene. Create a document in Script Editor, paste the example, and replace “Opening” with your Scene’s name. Click Compile, then Run.
Allow the permission requests when prompted. If Ecamm has blocked AppleScript access, open Ecamm ➝ Preferences ➝ Remote Control and enable AppleScript.
Shortcuts Automation
Use the Mac’s Shortcuts app to build a workflow from actions. You can have a shortcut control Ecamm, or have Ecamm run a shortcut when something happens during your show.
Controlling Ecamm from a Shortcut
Ecamm’s actions in the Shortcuts app require macOS 13 or newer.
To try it:
Open Shortcuts and create a shortcut.
Find Ecamm’s actions and add Switch Scene.
Choose a Scene, or enter its name in Scene Name.
Run the shortcut and allow Ecamm’s permission request when prompted.
If access is disabled, open Ecamm ➝ Preferences ➝ Remote Control and enable Shortcuts.
You can add more actions to the same shortcut. For example, switch to your opening Scene and play a sound, or combine Ecamm actions with actions from your lighting app.
Note: If you don’t see Ecamm listed in the Shortcuts app’s Apps section, ensure that Ecamm is in your Applications folder, and that you don’t have any older versions of the Ecamm app on your Mac.
Running a Shortcut from Ecamm
Open Ecamm ➝ Preferences ➝ Shortcuts and assign a shortcut to an event:
Ecamm Opens
Broadcast Starts
Broadcast Finishes
Ecamm Quits
Super Chat Arrives
For example, Broadcast Starts can run a shortcut that turns on an On-Air light. Broadcast Finishes can run one that turns it off. When a recording is saved, Broadcast Finishes passes the recording’s file path to the shortcut.
These event triggers require macOS 12 or newer. For setup details, see Triggering macOS Shortcuts.