Automation is no longer reserved for programmers or system administrators. With the introduction of Apple Shortcuts on macOS, any user can create powerful, time-saving routines to streamline their daily workflows. If you find yourself performing the same sequence of clicks, opening the same set of applications every morning, or manually resizing images one by one, Apple Shortcuts can digitise and automate these processes entirely.
What are Apple Shortcuts?
Originally developed for iOS and iPadOS, Apple Shortcuts made the jump to macOS to replace older automation tools like Automator. The application provides a visual, drag-and-drop interface where you can link different actions together to create a single, automated workflow (called a “Shortcut”). You can trigger these shortcuts from the Menu Bar, the Finder, via a keyboard shortcut, or even by asking Siri.
How to Create Your First Shortcut on macOS
To help you familiarise yourself with the process, let us create a simple productivity shortcut that sets up your workspace for the day. This shortcut will automatically open your email client, your web browser, and your calendar simultaneously.
- Open the Shortcuts application on your Mac. You can find it in your Applications folder or by searching via Spotlight (Cmd + Space).
- Click the + (Plus) icon in the top toolbar to create a new shortcut.
- In the right-hand panel, you will see a search bar. Search for the action called Open App.
- Double-click Open App to add it to your main workspace on the left.
- Click the blue App text in the action block and select your email application (e.g., Apple Mail).
- Repeat steps 3 to 5 two more times, selecting your preferred web browser (like Safari) and your Calendar application.
- At the top left of the window, click on the default name (“New Shortcut”) and rename it to something memorable, such as “Morning Setup”. You can also click the icon next to the name to customise its colour and symbol.
Adding Your Shortcut to the Menu Bar
Once you have built a useful shortcut, you will want to access it quickly. The Menu Bar is the perfect place to store your most frequently used automations.
- With your shortcut open in the editor, click the Shortcut Details icon (it looks like a slider) in the top right corner.
- Under the Details tab, check the box that says Pin in Menu Bar.
- Close the editor.
You will now see a small Shortcuts icon in your Mac’s Menu Bar at the top of the screen. Clicking this icon will reveal your “Morning Setup” shortcut. A single click will now execute all three actions instantly.
Exploring the Gallery
If you are unsure where to begin, the Shortcuts app features a Gallery tab. Here, Apple provides hundreds of pre-built, ready-to-use shortcuts categorised by function. You can add these to your collection with a single click, dissect them to see how they work, and customise them to suit your exact needs.
By spending a few minutes setting up Apple Shortcuts on your Mac, you can drastically reduce repetitive manual tasks, allowing you to focus on the work that truly matters.
