shortcuts-generator

SKILL.md preview

---
name: shortcuts-generator
description: Generate macOS/iOS Shortcuts by creating plist files. Use when asked to create shortcuts, automate workflows, build .shortcut files, or generate Shortcuts plists. Covers 1,155 actions (427 WF*Actions + 728 AppIntents), variable references, and control flow.
allowed-tools: Write, Bash
---

# macOS Shortcuts Generator

Generate valid `.shortcut` files that can be signed and imported into Apple's Shortcuts app.

## Quick Start

A shortcut is a binary plist with this structure:

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>WFWorkflowActions</key>
    <array>
        <!-- Actions go here -->
    </array>
    <key>WFWorkflowClientVersion</key>
    <string>2700.0.4</string>
    <key>WFWorkflowHasOutputFallback</key>
    <false/>
    <key>WFWorkflowIcon</key>
    <dict>
        <key>WFWorkflowIconGlyphNumber</key>
        <integer>59511</integer>
        <key>WFWorkflowIconStartColor</key>
        <integer>4282601983</integer>
    </dict>
    <key>WFWorkflowImportQuestions</key>
    <array/>
    <key>WFWorkflowMinimumClientVersion</key>
    <integer>900</integer>
    <key>WFWorkflowMinimumClientVersionString</key>
    <string>900</string>
    <key>WFWorkflowName</key>
    <string>My Shortcut</string>
    <key>WFWorkflowOutputContentItemClasses</key>
    <array/>
    <key>WFWorkflowTypes</key>
    <array/>
</dict>
</plist>
```

### Minimal Hello World

```xml
<dict>
    <key>WFWorkflowActionIdentifier</key>
    <string>is.workflow.actions.gettext</string>
    <key>WFWorkflowActionParameters</key>
    <dict>
        <key>UUID</key>
        <string>A1B2C3D4-E5F6-7890-ABCD-EF1234567890</string>
        <key>WFTextActionText</key>
        <string>Hello World!</string>
    </dict>
</dict>
<dict>
    <key>WFWorkflowActionIdentifier</key>
    <string>is.workflow.actions.showresult</string>
    <key>WFWorkflowActionParameters</key>
    <dict>
        <key>Text</key>
        <dict>
            <key>Value</key>
            <dict>
                <key>attachmentsByRange</key>
                <dict>
                    <key>{0, 1}</key>
                    <dict>
                        <key>OutputName</key>
                        <string>Text</string>
                        <key>OutputUUID</key>
                        <string>A1B2C3D4-E5F6-7890-ABCD-EF1234567890</string>
                        <key>Type</key>
                        <string>ActionOutput</string>
                    </dict>
                </dict>
                <key>string</key>
                <string></string>
            </dict>
            <key>WFSerializationType</key>
            <string>WFTextTokenString</string>
        </dict>
    </dict>
</dict>
```

## Core Concepts

### 1. Actions
Every action has:
- **Identifier**: `is.workflow.actions.<name>` (e.g., `is.workflow.actions.showresult`)
- **Parameters**: Action-specific configuration in `WFWorkflowActionParameters`
- **UUID**: Unique identifier for referencing this action's output

### 2. Variable References
To use output from a previous action:
1. The source action needs a `UUID` parameter
2. Reference it using `OutputUUID` in an `attachmentsByRange` dictionary
3. Use `` (U+FFFC) as placeholder in the string where the variable goes
4. Set `WFSerializationType` to `WFTextTokenString`

### 3. Control Flow
Control flow actions (repeat, conditional, menu) use:
- `GroupingIdentifier`: UUID linking start/middle/end actions
- `WFControlFlowMode`: 0=start, 1=middle (else/case), 2=end

## Common Actions Quick Reference

| Action | Identifier | Key Parameters |
|--------|------------|----------------|
| Text | `is.workflow.actions.gettext` | `WFTextActionText` |
| Show Result | `is.workflow.actions.showresult` | `Text` |
| Ask for Input | `is.workflow.actions.ask` | `WFAskActionPrompt`, `WFInputType` |
| Use AI Model | `is.workflow.actions.

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