By letting you automate frequent or cumbersome tasks, Shortcuts has become a productivity favourite on Mac.
Send a stock response in Mail, open every note with a specific tag in Notes or switch on your smart light bulbs. You can also automate across multiple apps to, say, batch-edit photos, move text from your writing app into a page-layout app or open every app and document you need to start your workday. You can even choose how each window is arranged.
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
And with desktop widgets in macOS Sonoma, you can add any shortcut – or folder of shortcuts – to your desktop for instant access. Just click a shortcut in a widget to run it!
To get started, launch the Shortcuts app and follow these tips. Then try them out with the apps below.
Start with the Gallery
In the Gallery, you’ll find ready-to-use shortcuts to get started with. For example, Split Screen 2 Apps arranges app windows to make multitasking easier. Bulk Tag Notes adds tags to multiple notes at once. Turn Text Into Audio converts a text file or pasted text into an audio file you can listen to anywhere. And Rename Files does just what the name suggests, letting you add or replace text in filenames.
Whether you add or create a shortcut on Mac, iPhone or iPad, it’ll sync across all your devices and appear under All Shortcuts.
Create and customise
Ready to create your own shortcut or tailor an existing one to your workflows? Use the Mac-native editor in the Shortcuts app. Drag actions within a shortcut to reorder them, or drag a new action from the list on the right to add it. Quick tip: The Next Action Suggestions feature (under Categories > Suggestions) recommends a next building block for your shortcut, based on the blocks you’ve already added.
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Integrate Automator and AppleScript
Have existing Automator workflows you can’t live without? Just drag one into the Shortcuts app to convert it to a shortcut! The most popular Automator actions have also been integrated into Shortcuts, including those that run AppleScript and shell scripts.
Access your shortcuts everywhere
For quick access to any shortcut in macOS Sonoma, add a Shortcuts widget to your desktop: control-click anywhere on the desktop and choose Edit Widgets; then drag a Shortcuts widget to the desired location.
Or add any shortcut to Share menus, your menu bar, the Quick Actions menu in the Finder or the Touch Bar: Open the shortcut in the Shortcuts app, click the Shortcut Details button (which looks like three control sliders) and check the appropriate boxes. Of course, all your shortcuts are also accessible via Spotlight search or with your voice using Siri.
Share your shortcuts
Sharing a shortcut is as easy as sending a link using the standard share button. When you receive a link shared by someone else, simply follow the prompts to add that shortcut to your Mac.
Check out these Mac favourites that work with Shortcuts:
Work with text
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Bear: Markdown Notes
Write naturally
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Ulysses: Writing App
Write a novel, story, book
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Drafts
Where text starts
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Bike Outliner | Writing App
Structured & focused writing
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Day One
Your journal for life
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Noted: Record, AI-Transcribe
Take meeting notes and audio
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Craft: Write docs, AI editing
Journal ideas, meeting notes
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Taio - Markdown & Text Actions
Ultimate text processing app
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Tot
Your tiny text companion.
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Paste - Endless Clipboard
Copy, Keep, Search and Manage
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
BBEdit
Legendary text and code editor
Be creative
Boost your productivity
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Things 3
Organize your life
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Agenda - Notes meets Calendar
Organise your days
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
MindNode – Mind Map & Outline
Mind Mapping, Brainstorm Ideas
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
PCalc
The Best Calculator
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Tasks: Todo Lists & Kanban
Daily Planner, Manage Projects
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Planny • Daily Planner
To do list, Focus, Teamwork
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Diagrams
Diagram & Flowchart Editor
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
PDF Squeezer 4
Compressing PDF Files Quickly
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Microsoft Outlook
Email and calendar
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Keynote
Build stunning presentations
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Numbers
Create impressive spreadsheets
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Evernote
Notes Organizer & Planner
Master your schedule
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Fantastical - Calendar
Reminders & Todo List
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
TickTick:To-Do List, Calendar
Planner, Reminders & Habit
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Tyme 3 - Time Tracking
Worked Hours & Timesheet
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Timery for Toggl
Easy time tracking with Toggl
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Focus – Productivity Timer
ToDo List, Interactive Widgets
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Session - Pomodoro Focus Timer
Keep track time, study & work
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Orbit: Time-based Invoicing
Track time & send invoices
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Calendars: Planner & Organiser
Schedule. Reminder. To Do・2024
Stay in the know
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
MusicHarbor - New Music Daily
Discover news, releases, show
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Instapaper
News
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Anybox - Bookmark & Read Later
Save and Organize Links
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
GoodLinks
Save links, read later.
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
lire
Full-text RSS Reader
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Reeder 5.
News Reader.
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
An Otter RSS Reader
An okay minimalistic RSS app
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Fiery Feeds: RSS Reader
A news reader for power users
Manage your life
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Book Tracker - Reading list
TBR bookshelf, planner and log
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Movie Tracker: What to watch
TV Show finder & ratings
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
SmartGym: Gym & Home Workouts
HIIT, Home, Gym Weight Lifting
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Play: Save Videos Watch Later
Manage your watch later queue
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
CardPointers for Credit Cards
Earn more points & cashback
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Portal - Rewild Your Mind
Nature, wellness, focus, sleep
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Streaks
The habit-forming to-do list
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
WaterMinder - Water Tracker
Daily Hydration Drink Reminder
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Dark Noise: Ambient Sounds
Green Brown Pink White Sleep
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Grocery - Smart Shopping List
Plan, shop, cook, repeat
Manage your Mac
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Actions
Useful actions for Shortcuts
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Shortery
Automation for Shortcuts
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
HazeOver • Distraction Dimmer™
Focus and reduce visual noise
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Mirror Magnet
Desktop Camera Viewer
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
ShareBot for Shortcuts
Run Shortcuts From Share Menus
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Shortcut Remote Control
Voice-Control your Computer
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Transloader
Manage downloads remotely
![](/https/apps.apple.com/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Network Radar
Scan and monitors your network