AppleScript shortcut for service not working, although clicking on application generated by Script Editor works fine

Question

I created an AppleScript for a sequence of copy-paste keystrokes and delays:

Example AppleScript code:

tell application "System Events"
    keystroke "k" using command down
    delay 0.1
    keystroke "a" using command down
    delay 0.1
    keystroke "c" using command down
    delay 0.1
    
    tell application "Google Chrome"
        if it is running then
            quit
        else
            activate
            open location "http://translate.google.com"
            delay 1
            activate
            delay 0.7
        end if
    end tell
    
    tell application "System Events"
        keystroke "v" using command down
        delay 0.7
        keystroke "c" using control down
    end tell
end tell

I've exported it from Scripts Editor as an Application, and it works fine when I click on it.

When I try to execute it via a shortcut set at Systems Preferences > Keyboard > Shorcuts > Services, nothing happens; I just see the cog-wheel appearing briefly at the top bar. I already granted permission for the script-app at Systems Preferences > Security & Privacy > Accessibility and already checked if there are hotkeys conflicts at the Terminal typing: defaults find NSServicesStatus or defaults find '@~$]' (the shortcut I've tried to use was Command+Alt+Shift+].

Would you maybe have any suggestion of where can I check what I'm doing wrong?

Answer 1

You should reduce GUI scripting to have more stable code. Workaround is shown here:

my copyTextToClipboard()
set sourceText to (the clipboard) as string
my performGoogleTranslate(sourceText)
my getTranslatedTextToClipboard()

on copyTextToClipboard()
    tell application "System Events"
        keystroke "k" using command down
        delay 0.1
        keystroke "a" using command down
        delay 0.1
        keystroke "c" using command down
        delay 0.1
    end tell
end copyTextToClipboard

on performGoogleTranslate(sourceText)
    -- following translates from English (en) to Russian (ru)
    -- you can put other languadges settings
    set myURL to "https://translate.google.gr/?
    hl=el#view=home&op=translate&sl=en&tl=ru&text=" & sourceText
    tell application "Google Chrome"
        activate
        set URL of active tab of window 1 to myURL
    end tell
end performGoogleTranslate

on getTranslatedTextToClipboard()
    -- HERE you need some mouse tool to move the mouse pointer over
    -- the "Copy" button of Google Translate and to click it
end getTranslatedTextToClipboard