Getting Started with Automations

JPEGmini Pro 4.5 · Last updated June 2026

Before you start

• JPEGmini Pro 4.5 or later (download link below if you need to update)

• An Automations license — or start a free 7-day trial (no credit card required) directly from the Automations tab

Step 1 — Install and activate JPEGmini Pro

1. Download JPEGmini Pro

   Get the latest version for your platform:

   ⬇ Download for Mac

   ⬇ Download for Windows

   Already on 4.5? Skip to Step 2.

2. Install the app

   Mac: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag JPEGmini Pro into your Applications folder.
   Windows: Run the installer and follow the prompts.

3. Enter your license key

   Launch JPEGmini Pro, then open Settings (click the gear icon in the sidebar, or choose View › Settings from the menu bar). Click "Enter new activation code", paste your key, and click Activate.

   Your license key is in your order confirmation email. Need it again? Contact support@jpegmini.com.

Step 2 — Create your first Automation

1. Go to the Automations tab

   Click the Automations icon in the sidebar. If you haven't purchased Automations yet, click "Create Your First Automation" to start your free 7-day trial — no credit card needed.

2. Click "+ Add Automation"

   This opens the automation setup panel. The window title will read "Add Automation".

3. Name your automation

   Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Client Delivery", "Social Posts", "Project Exports"). If you leave this blank and set a watch folder first, JPEGmini will use the folder name automatically.

4. Choose your watch folder

   This is the folder JPEGmini will watch. Any files or folders dropped here are picked up and processed automatically within a few seconds.

   Important: The watch folder cannot be changed after the automation is created. If you need a different source folder, create a new automation.

   Important: As files are processed, JPEGmini moves your originals out of the watch folder — they don't stay there as loose files. They're preserved under your retention policy (below) and can be restored with Retrieve originals.

5. Choose your output folder

   This is where your optimized files will appear. The output folder must be different from the watch folder. It also cannot be the watch or output folder of another automation.

6. Configure export sizes Optional

   Set up multiple output sizes for images and videos in a single pass. JPEGmini includes built-in presets — you can use them as-is or add custom sizes.

   Image presets

   Preset name	What it does	Best for
   Original Size	No resize — optimized only	Print, archiving, client delivery
   Gallery (2048)	Max width 2048px	Portfolio websites, online galleries
   Social (1080)	Max width 1080px	Instagram, social media
   Custom	Set your own size — max width, height, long edge, or short edge	Any specific output dimension you need

   Video presets

   Preset name	What it does
   4K	Max height 2160px
   1080p	Max height 1080px
   720p	Max height 720px
   Custom	Set your own size — max width, height, long edge, or short edge

   You can add up to 4 image sizes and 4 video sizes per automation. If you select multiple sizes, each output is placed in its own subfolder, named after its dimension (for example, maxWidth 2048).

7. Set your retention policy

   Choose how long JPEGmini keeps your original files before removing them from disk. Originals are stored in a hidden folder inside your watch folder and can be retrieved at any time within the retention window.

   Option	Behavior
   Forever	Originals are never deleted
   One week (default)	Good balance of safety and storage
   One day	For high-volume workflows
   Don't retain	Originals deleted immediately after processing

   Important: Your originals are not left in the watch folder. To get one back, use Retrieve originals on the Automations tab. With “Don't retain”, originals are deleted permanently, so keep your own backup if you need them.

8. Click "Create"

   Your automation is created and immediately active — no additional toggle needed. It starts watching your folder right away.

How it works

Once your automation is running, the workflow is entirely hands-free:

1. Drop files into your watch folder

   Drop individual files or entire folders at the root of your watch folder — a folder you drop is processed too, and its structure is preserved in the output. JPEGmini detects them within a few seconds and moves them out for processing.

2. JPEGmini processes everything in the background

   The background agent handles all processing automatically — you don't need to have JPEGmini open. Export from your favorite tool directly into your watch folder and the files will be processed before you switch apps.

3. Find your optimized files in the output folder

   Results are organized automatically. If you chose multiple output sizes, each size gets its own subfolder, named after its dimension:

   Output Folder/
   ├── Original Size/
   │   └── photo1.jpg
   ├── maxWidth 2048/
   │   └── photo1.jpg
   └── maxWidth 1080/
       └── photo1.jpg

If you selected a single size, files appear directly in the output folder with the same name as the original.

Managing your automations

Enable / Disable

Use the toggle next to any automation to pause or resume it. When disabled, the automation stops watching for new files. Any jobs already in progress are paused and resume automatically when you re-enable it.

Edit

Click the Edit icon (pencil) to change the output folder, export sizes, or retention policy. Note: the watch folder cannot be changed after creation. To use a different source folder, create a new automation.

Delete

Click the Delete icon (trash) to remove an automation. This does not delete any processed files.

Retrieve originals

Click the Retrieve icon to access original files from completed jobs within the retention period. A window lists all available jobs by creation date — click Retrieve next to any job and choose where to save the files.

Tips & highlights

Up to 4 automations

Create separate automations for different clients, projects, or export workflows — all running simultaneously.

Multi-size export

Up to 4 image sizes and 4 video sizes per automation, all processed in one pass.

Truly background

Automations run via a background agent — JPEGmini doesn't even need to be open. Restarts automatically if your computer reboots.

Original retention

Your originals are stored safely for the period you set. Retrieve them anytime from the Automations tab.

Trial & plan limits

Frequently asked questions

Where do my original files go after they’re processed?

As files are processed, JPEGmini moves your originals out of the watch folder into a hidden store on your computer (inside the watch folder), so you won’t see them sitting loose there. If your retention policy keeps them (Forever, One week, or One day), you can restore any original from the Automations tab using Retrieve originals, for as long as the retention window lasts. With “Don’t retain”, originals are deleted right after processing and can’t be recovered.

Does the automation run when JPEGmini is closed?

Yes — completely. Automations run through a background agent that stays active even when the JPEGmini app is not open. You can export directly from your favorite tool into your watch folder and everything will be processed automatically. If your computer restarts, the agent restarts automatically and picks up where it left off.

How many automations can I create?

Up to 4 automations with a purchased license. The free trial is limited to 1 automation. All active automations run simultaneously, with processing balanced evenly across them.

What file types are supported?

Images: JPEG and HEIC. Videos: MOV, MP4, and M4V. Files in unsupported formats are copied to the output folder as-is without processing.

Can I set my own output size?

Yes. Alongside the built-in presets, choose Custom to define your own size — by max width, max height, max long edge, or max short edge — for either images or videos.

Can I use Automations without JPEGmini Pro?

No — Automations requires JPEGmini Pro 4.5 or later, plus the Automations add-on or bundle (or an active trial). If you're on an older version, download the latest from jpegmini.com.

Can I change the watch folder after creating an automation?

No. The watch folder is locked once an automation is created. To use a different source folder, create a new automation pointing to it.

Can the watch and output folders be the same?

No — this would cause a processing loop. JPEGmini will show an error if you try. The watch and output folders must be distinct, and no folder can be shared across multiple automations.

My automation isn't processing files. What should I check?

First confirm the automation is enabled (toggle is on). Place your files — or whole folders — at the root level of the watch folder. Also check that the files are a supported format (JPEG, HEIC, MOV, MP4, M4V). If the issue persists, contact support@jpegmini.com.

Will this slow down my computer?

Automation processing is intentionally lightweight — it uses a limited number of background threads. When you're actively using the JPEGmini app to process files manually, automation processing pauses automatically to avoid conflicts.

Is Automations available on both Mac and Windows?

Yes. Automations are fully supported in JPEGmini Pro 4.5 on both Mac and Windows.