osascript is not allowed assistive access (-1719/-25211) macOS Origin: Platform & cloud Last updated 5 Nov 2026

macOS: execution error: System Events got an error: osascript is not allowed assistive access. (-1728)

A script using System Events to click/type needs Accessibility permission for the app running it.

Exact message you may see osascript is not allowed assistive accessSystem Events got an error: osascript is not allowed assistive access. (-1728)is not allowed assistive access (-25211)Application isn't running. (-600) System Eventsexecution error: System Events got an error: osascript is not allowed to send keystrokes. (1002)
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Seen on: macOS

Meaning

Add the host app (Terminal, iTerm, Script Editor, VS Code, Alfred, your automation tool) in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, toggle on, and restart it. The error numbers (-25211, -1719, 1002) all mean the permission is missing.

Common causes

  • Host app lacks Accessibility permission
  • Permission toggled but app not restarted
  • App moved/re-signed
  • Running through ssh (no GUI permission)
  • MDM restriction

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Enable the app under Accessibility and relaunch it
  2. Remove and re-add the entry if it's stuck
  3. Avoid GUI scripting over SSH sessions

Detailed fix by platform

macOS

  1. tccutil reset Accessibility clears stale entries

How to diagnose

  1. App — Listed under Accessibility?
  2. Toggle — On?
  3. Session — GUI session?

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

Where this error sits

Origin: Platform & cloud. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):

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