Finder Integration

Certum Draft integrates with Finder so you can open matters and generate documents without opening the app first.

Quick Start: .certum Files

Every matter folder contains a .certum file (e.g., 013548.certum). Double-click it to open the matter in Certum Draft.

013548 - SMITH John - Estate of Harold Smith/
├── 013548.certum          ← Double-click to open in Certum Draft
├── 013548-matter.json
├── Correspondence/
└── Documents/

Tip

The .certum file is created automatically when you create a matter. It’s a simple JSON file containing the matter number.

URL Scheme

Certum Draft registers a custom URL scheme for deep linking:

certum://open?matter=013548

Use this URL to:

• Create bookmarks in other applications
• Link from Notion or other databases
• Script matter opening from the command line

Note

While Notion displays custom URL schemes as text (not clickable), you can copy the URL or use it in other applications that support custom schemes.

Right-Click Actions

Services (Built-in)

No setup required. Right-click any matter folder:

Right-click → Services → New Certum Document

This works immediately after installing Certum Draft.

Quick Actions (Recommended)

For more prominent menu placement and keyboard shortcuts, create a macOS Shortcut:

1. Open the Shortcuts app (in Applications)
2. Create a new shortcut and follow the setup below
3. Enable “Use as Quick Action” in the shortcut settings

Now: Right-click → Quick Actions → Generate Documents

Available Actions

Open Matter

Double-click the .certum file to open the Matter Workspace

Generate Documents

Right-click a matter folder to open the template selection wizard

New Matter Here

Right-click any folder to create a new matter in that location

Integration Methods

Method 1: .certum Files (Easiest)

No setup required — just double-click:

1. Navigate to a matter folder in Finder
2. Double-click the {matterNumber}.certum file
3. Certum Draft opens with the Matter Workspace for that matter

Method 2: Services Menu (Built-in)

No setup required — works immediately after installing Certum Draft.

1. Right-click a matter folder in Finder
2. Select Services at the bottom of the menu
3. Click New Certum Document

Tip

The Services menu is always available but can be easy to miss since it’s at the bottom of the context menu.

Method 3: macOS Shortcuts (Recommended)

For a better experience on macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, create custom Shortcuts.

Advantages:

• More visible position in the Quick Actions submenu
• Assign system-wide keyboard shortcuts
• Add to menu bar for one-click access
• Siri integration (“Hey Siri, Generate Documents”)

Creating the “Generate Documents” Shortcut

1. Open Shortcuts app (Applications → Shortcuts)
2. Click + to create a new shortcut
3. Name it “Generate Documents”
4. Click the (i) info button in the top right
5. Enable “Use as Quick Action”
6. Set “Receives” to Folders from Finder
7. Add a “Run Shell Script” action
8. Set “Pass input” to as arguments
9. Paste this script:

#!/bin/bash
FOLDER_PATH="$1"

if [ -d "/Applications/Certum Draft.app" ]; then
    APP_PATH="/Applications/Certum Draft.app"
elif [ -d "$HOME/Applications/Certum Draft.app" ]; then
    APP_PATH="$HOME/Applications/Certum Draft.app"
else
    osascript -e 'display dialog "Certum Draft not found" buttons {"OK"}'
    exit 1
fi

# Check for matter file
MATTER_FILE=$(ls "$FOLDER_PATH"/*-matter.json 2>/dev/null | head -1)
if [ -z "$MATTER_FILE" ] && [ ! -f "$FOLDER_PATH/matter.json" ]; then
    osascript -e 'display dialog "Not a matter folder" buttons {"OK"}'
    exit 1
fi

open -a "$APP_PATH" --args new-document "$FOLDER_PATH"

10. Save the shortcut (⌘S)

Creating the “Open Matter” Shortcut

Follow the same steps, but:

• Name it “Open Matter in Certum Draft”
• Use this script:

#!/bin/bash
FOLDER_PATH="$1"

# Find the .certum file
CERTUM_FILE=$(ls "$FOLDER_PATH"/*.certum 2>/dev/null | head -1)
if [ -n "$CERTUM_FILE" ]; then
    open "$CERTUM_FILE"
    exit 0
fi

# Fallback: extract matter number from folder name
FOLDER_NAME=$(basename "$FOLDER_PATH")
MATTER_NUM=$(echo "$FOLDER_NAME" | grep -oE '^[0-9]+')
if [ -n "$MATTER_NUM" ]; then
    open "certum://open?matter=$MATTER_NUM"
    exit 0
fi

osascript -e 'display dialog "Could not identify matter" buttons {"OK"}'
exit 1

Creating the “New Matter Here” Shortcut

Follow the same steps, but:

• Name it “New Matter Here”
• Use this script:

#!/bin/bash
FOLDER_PATH="$1"

if [ -d "/Applications/Certum Draft.app" ]; then
    APP_PATH="/Applications/Certum Draft.app"
elif [ -d "$HOME/Applications/Certum Draft.app" ]; then
    APP_PATH="$HOME/Applications/Certum Draft.app"
else
    osascript -e 'display dialog "Certum Draft not found" buttons {"OK"}'
    exit 1
fi

open -a "$APP_PATH" --args new-matter "$FOLDER_PATH"

Enabling Quick Actions

If shortcuts don’t appear in Finder:

1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Extensions → Finder
2. Enable your Certum Draft shortcuts

Method 4: Keyboard Shortcuts

Assign system-wide keyboard shortcuts for instant access:

1. Open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts
2. Click Services in the sidebar
3. Find Files and Folders section
4. Click on a Certum Draft action
5. Press your desired key combination

Suggested shortcuts:

Action	Shortcut
Generate Documents	⌘⌥G
New Matter Here	⌘⌥N

Now select a folder in Finder and press the shortcut.

Example Workflows

Quick Access via .certum File

1. Navigate to a matter folder in Finder
2. Double-click 013548.certum
3. Matter Workspace opens immediately
4. Generate documents, edit details, or view the overview

Generate Documents from Finder

1. Client calls about their estate matter
2. Navigate to their matter folder in Finder
3. Right-click → Quick Actions → Generate Documents
4. Select templates (e.g., “Letter to Beneficiary”)
5. Fill in any missing details
6. Click Generate
7. Open the generated document from the matter folder

All without opening Certum Draft first.

Create Matter in Specific Location

1. Navigate to where you want the new matter
2. Right-click the folder
3. Select Quick Actions → New Matter Here
4. Complete the New Matter wizard
5. Matter folder is created in your chosen location

Keyboard-Only Workflow

1. In Finder, navigate to a matter folder
2. Press ⌘⌥G
3. Document wizard opens immediately
4. Select templates with arrow keys, press Enter
5. Documents generated without using the mouse

Menu Locations

Understanding where to find the options:

Right-click menu:
├── Open
├── Open With                  →
├── Move to Bin
├── Get Info
├── ...
├── Quick Actions              → ← Shortcuts appear here
│   ├── Open Matter in Certum Draft
│   ├── Generate Documents
│   └── New Matter Here
└── Services                   → ← Built-in service appears here
    └── New Certum Document

Command Line

For scripting and automation:

# Open a matter by number
open "certum://open?matter=013548"

# Open a .certum file directly
open "/path/to/matter/013548.certum"

# Generate documents for a matter
open -a "Certum Draft.app" --args new-document "/path/to/matter"

# Create a new matter in a folder
open -a "Certum Draft.app" --args new-matter "/path/to/parent"

Troubleshooting

.certum file doesn’t open Certum Draft

1. Right-click the .certum file
2. Select Open With → Other…
3. Navigate to Certum Draft in Applications
4. Check Always Open With
5. Click Open

Services options don’t appear

1. Check that Certum Draft is in /Applications
2. Open Certum Draft at least once
3. Restart Finder: Hold ⌥, right-click Finder in Dock, choose “Relaunch”

Quick Actions don’t appear

1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Extensions → Finder
2. Enable the Certum Draft shortcuts
3. Verify “Use as Quick Action” is enabled in each shortcut’s settings

”Generate Documents” is greyed out

The folder might not be a valid matter folder. Check that:

• The folder contains a matter file (e.g., 013547-matter.json)
• You right-clicked the matter folder itself, not a subfolder

Permission Denied Error

1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation
2. Find Shortcuts.app
3. Enable access to System Events and Terminal

Comparison

Feature	.certum Files	Services	Shortcuts
Setup required	None	None	5 minutes
Opens Matter Workspace	Yes	No	With script
Menu location	N/A (double-click)	Services submenu	Quick Actions
Keyboard shortcuts	No	Limited	System-wide
Siri integration	No	No	Yes

Note

Recommendation: Use .certum files for quick matter access, and Shortcuts for document generation. The Services menu is a reliable fallback that requires no setup.