Read AppleScript Aloud — Right Inside Script Editor
Select any handler, comment block, or snippet in Script Editor. A floating ▶ button appears next to your selection. One click — natural voice playback starts with a highlight that tracks each word inside the real Script Editor window.
macOS native · Free · No login · 40+ languages
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Highlight follows each word in your actual script.
One App Covers Every Native Mac Editor
Same gesture, same word-level highlight — across every Mac text editor that exposes its text natively.
TextEdit
Plain / RTF documents
Stickies
Yellow sticky notes
Notes
Apple Notes
Script Editor
AppleScript IDE
BBEdit
Pro text & code editor
CotEditor
Open-source editor
TextMate
GPL code editor
Terminal
zsh / bash shell
Three Steps — No Setup
CastReader runs as a menu-bar app. Script Editor stays exactly as it is.
Install
Download CastReader for Mac (.dmg). Grant Accessibility permission once — that is how it reads selected text from the Script Editor window.
Select
Open any .applescript or .scpt file. Drag to select a handler, a comment block, or a full script.
Click ▶
A small play button appears next to your selection. One click — audio starts with a highlight that tracks each word inside Script Editor.
When AppleScript Developers Use CastReader
AppleScript is wordy by design — it reads almost like English. CastReader turns that property into an actual audio review tool.
Audio code review
Hear your own handlers read back before shipping. AppleScript's English-like syntax makes logic bugs obvious when spoken.
Learn from sample scripts
Apple ships hundreds of example scripts. Paste one in, select the body, listen while reading — double the comprehension.
Dyslexia-friendly coding
Script Editor has no built-in read-aloud. CastReader adds word-level follow-along for developers with dyslexia or visual fatigue.
Proofread long comments
Hear multi-paragraph doc comments read back — catch awkward phrasing that skimming misses.
Why CastReader Beats macOS Built-in Speech
macOS has Edit → Start Speaking, but no highlight, no speed control, no natural voices. CastReader fixes every gap.
Word-level highlight on your actual script
A transparent overlay tracks each spoken word directly inside the Script Editor window. Your eyes follow the voice — not a separate reader pane.
40+ natural AI voices
Auto-detects the language of your selection. Natural English voices make AppleScript's English-like syntax feel genuinely read.
Adjustable rate, jump to any line
Change speed 0.5×–2× on the fly. Click any paragraph to jump playback — not possible with macOS Speech.
Zero cost, zero signup
No account, no credit card, no daily limits. CastReader is completely free.
Common Questions
How do I read AppleScript aloud on a Mac?▾
macOS has Edit → Speech → Start Speaking in Script Editor, but no highlight, no speed control, and only old system voices. For natural voice and word-level highlight overlaid on your script, install CastReader for Mac. Select text, click the floating ▶, and Script Editor starts reading.
Does it read compiled scripts too?▾
Yes. Script Editor displays compiled AppleScript as formatted source — CastReader reads whatever the AX API exposes, which is the same formatted text you see on screen. Binary .scpt files work as long as they are open and rendered.
What about Shortcuts or JavaScript for Automation?▾
JavaScript for Automation (JXA) works — it is just a text mode in Script Editor. macOS Shortcuts is a separate app that does not expose its text via AX, so CastReader does not currently read Shortcut steps.
Does CastReader modify my scripts?▾
No. CastReader reads your selection through macOS Accessibility APIs and overlays a transparent highlight on top of the real Script Editor window. Your script content is never modified, copied, or uploaded anywhere.
Why does CastReader need Accessibility permission?▾
The Accessibility (AX) API is the only way a Mac app can read the currently selected text from another app. CastReader uses it to capture Script Editor selections and compute pixel-level bounds for the highlight.
Is there a keyboard shortcut?▾
Yes. Open CastReader's menu-bar icon → Preferences to bind a global hotkey to 'Read Selection'. The floating ▶ button is optional for pure keyboard users.
Is it really free?▾
Yes. 100% free. No account, no credit card, no premium voice gate, no daily word limit. Download the .dmg and use it forever.
Ready to Hear Your AppleScript?
Install once. Select any text in Script Editor. Click ▶. Listen.