Shortcut MCP

# Shortcut Creation Examples This document provides comprehensive examples for creating shortcuts using the Shortcut MCP. ## 🏗️ Simple Shortcut Creation ### 1. Text Shortcuts Create shortcuts that return static text: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_simple_shortcut", "arguments": { "name": "Daily Motivation", "type": "text", "content": "Today is a great day to accomplish your goals! 🌟", "description": "Returns a motivational message" } } } ``` ### 2. Echo Shortcuts Create shortcuts that return whatever input is provided: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_simple_shortcut", "arguments": { "name": "Echo Chamber", "type": "echo", "description": "Echoes back any input provided" } } } ``` ### 3. Current Time Shortcuts Create shortcuts that show the current date and time: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_simple_shortcut", "arguments": { "name": "Timestamp", "type": "current-time", "content": "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss", "description": "Shows current timestamp" } } } ``` ### 4. Weather Shortcuts Create shortcuts that get weather information: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_simple_shortcut", "arguments": { "name": "Quick Weather", "type": "weather", "description": "Gets weather for specified location" } } } ``` ### 5. Shell Script Shortcuts Create shortcuts that run shell commands: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_simple_shortcut", "arguments": { "name": "System Info", "type": "shell-script", "content": "uname -a && uptime", "description": "Shows system information and uptime" } } } ``` ## 🗂️ Template-Based Creation ### List Available Templates First, see what templates are available: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "list_templates", "arguments": {} } } ``` Filter by category: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "list_templates", "arguments": { "category": "basic" } } } ``` ### Create from Template Use predefined templates for common patterns: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "template": "hello-world" } } } ``` Customize template with your own values: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "template": "echo-input", "definition": { "name": "My Custom Echo", "description": "A personalized echo shortcut" } } } } ``` ## 🔧 Advanced Shortcut Definitions ### Multi-Action Shortcuts Create complex shortcuts with multiple actions: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "definition": { "name": "Enhanced Weather Report", "description": "Gets weather and formats it nicely", "inputType": "Text", "outputType": "Text", "actions": [ { "type": "is.workflow.actions.weather.currentconditions", "identifier": "get_weather", "parameters": { "location": "{input}" } }, { "type": "is.workflow.actions.text", "identifier": "format_response", "parameters": { "text": "Weather Report for {input}:\n{get_weather}" } } ] } } } } ``` ### File Processing Shortcut Create a shortcut that processes files: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "definition": { "name": "File Info", "description": "Gets information about a file", "inputType": "File", "actions": [ { "type": "is.workflow.actions.file.getcontentsoffolder", "identifier": "get_file_info", "parameters": {} }, { "type": "is.workflow.actions.text", "identifier": "format_info", "parameters": { "text": "File Information:\n{get_file_info}" } } ] } } } } ``` ### System Integration Shortcut Create shortcuts that interact with system features: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "definition": { "name": "Battery Alert", "description": "Shows battery level with alert", "actions": [ { "type": "is.workflow.actions.getbatterylevel", "identifier": "battery_level", "parameters": {} }, { "type": "is.workflow.actions.conditional", "identifier": "check_battery", "parameters": { "condition": "is less than", "value": 20 } }, { "type": "is.workflow.actions.showresult", "identifier": "show_alert", "parameters": { "text": "⚠️ Low Battery: {battery_level}%" } } ] } } } } ``` ## 🛠️ Practical Examples ### 1. Daily Note Creator Create a shortcut that generates daily notes: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "definition": { "name": "Daily Note Creator", "description": "Creates a structured daily note", "actions": [ { "type": "is.workflow.actions.date", "identifier": "today", "parameters": {} }, { "type": "is.workflow.actions.format.date", "identifier": "formatted_date", "parameters": { "format": "EEEE, MMMM d, yyyy" } }, { "type": "is.workflow.actions.text", "identifier": "note_content", "parameters": { "text": "# Daily Note - {formatted_date}\n\n## Goals\n- \n\n## Tasks\n- \n\n## Notes\n\n\n## Reflection\n" } } ] } } } } ``` ### 2. Quick Message Sender Create a shortcut for sending messages: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "definition": { "name": "Team Update", "description": "Sends a quick update to the team", "inputType": "Text", "actions": [ { "type": "is.workflow.actions.text", "identifier": "message_template", "parameters": { "text": "Team Update: {input}\n\nSent from Shortcuts MCP" } }, { "type": "is.workflow.actions.sendmessage", "identifier": "send_message", "parameters": { "recipient": "Team Group", "message": "{message_template}" } } ] } } } } ``` ### 3. URL Processor Create a shortcut that processes URLs: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "definition": { "name": "URL Info", "description": "Gets information about a URL", "inputType": "URL", "actions": [ { "type": "is.workflow.actions.downloadurl", "identifier": "get_content", "parameters": { "url": "{input}" } }, { "type": "is.workflow.actions.text", "identifier": "summary", "parameters": { "text": "Content length: {get_content.length} characters" } } ] } } } } ``` ## 🔄 Shortcut Management ### Update Existing Shortcuts To update an existing shortcut, use overwrite: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "create_shortcut", "arguments": { "definition": { "name": "Hello World", "description": "Updated hello world shortcut", "actions": [ { "type": "is.workflow.actions.text", "identifier": "greeting", "parameters": { "text": "Hello from the updated Shortcuts MCP! 🚀" } } ] }, "overwriteExisting": true } } } ``` ### Delete Shortcuts Remove shortcuts you no longer need: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "delete_shortcut", "arguments": { "name": "Old Shortcut", "confirm": true } } } ``` ## 🎯 Use Cases ### 1. Automation Workflows Create shortcuts for common automation tasks: - **File Organization**: Sort downloads by file type - **System Monitoring**: Check system resources - **Backup Automation**: Create automated backup routines - **Log Processing**: Parse and analyze log files ### 2. Productivity Boosters Build shortcuts that enhance productivity: - **Meeting Prep**: Generate meeting agendas - **Status Updates**: Create formatted status reports - **Task Management**: Quick task creation and updates - **Time Tracking**: Log work activities ### 3. Information Processing Create shortcuts for data processing: - **Text Analysis**: Count words, extract keywords - **Data Formatting**: Convert between formats - **Report Generation**: Create structured reports - **API Integration**: Fetch and process external data ## ⚠️ Best Practices ### 1. Naming Conventions - Use descriptive, clear names - Avoid special characters - Be consistent with naming patterns - Include version numbers for iterations ### 2. Error Handling - Always include validation steps - Provide meaningful error messages - Use conditional logic for edge cases - Test with various input types ### 3. Security Considerations - Validate all inputs - Avoid exposing sensitive data - Use secure communication methods - Limit permissions appropriately ### 4. Performance Optimization - Keep shortcuts focused and simple - Avoid unnecessary actions - Use caching when appropriate - Monitor execution times ## 🧪 Testing Your Shortcuts After creation, test your shortcuts: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "run_shortcut", "arguments": { "name": "Your New Shortcut", "input": "test input" } } } ``` Get detailed information: ```json { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "get_shortcut_info", "arguments": { "name": "Your New Shortcut" } } } ``` This comprehensive guide should help you create powerful shortcuts that enhance your automation workflows with the Shortcut MCP!