Launching Scripts and Programs directly from Revit

This technique allows file operations and programs to be initiated from an in-canvas Revit modelling session, without the need to switch to Windows Explorer.

Basically, you just need a Symbol family with URL instance parameter.  In the URL parameter, paste a fully resolved path to the script or exe file (you can use Shift + rightclick to quickly get this from Explrorer in Windows 7).  Now, when you select the Symbol family, click on the dots in the Properties Palette  - the exe or script will run, directly from Revit

Potential uses:

• Launch any program
• Launch a program that may be useful in-canvas (like Colorette)
• Launch a search program like Locate32, that can be used to search for Revit content and drag-drop into the Revit session
• Copy point clouds to local drive
• Map network drives
• Archive RVT folder script, perhaps using 7-zip
• Run Autodesk program update packages (some of these may require Revit to be shutdown)
• Run add-in installers (that will probably require Revit to be updated)
• Copy macro updates
• Delete Revit backup files script
• Clean up Journal folder
• Make a backup of Keynote file or Shared Parameter file (perhaps used before editing)
• Run Windows Task Scheduler tasks
• Shutdown the computer

Once you have the Annotation family loaded and placed, just add the suitable path, and then select the element and click where the little dots should be:

The command is instantly triggered.

In a worksharing environment, you could set up a Drafting View where you placed different instances of this "linker" family to trigger various project-related scripts.

This idea grew from this post and this one about copying Point Clouds.