Shortcuts

Shortcuts is an MCP server that provides AI assistants with direct access to Apple Shortcuts on macOS. Built using Swift, this server allows Model Context Protocol clients to discover, inspect, and trigger native shortcuts stored on a user's machine. Developers, power users, and automation enthusiasts use it to bridge desktop workflows with large language models, enabling automated task execution across their Apple software ecosystem. Through its standard tool and prompt interfaces, assistants can query available shortcut libraries, retrieve shortcut identifiers, launch specific actions programmatically, and open shortcuts inside the native macOS Shortcuts application. By connecting conversational models directly to local system automations, the server makes it possible for assistants like Claude Desktop, Cursor, and VS Code to execute complex desktop workflows, manage system settings, or manipulate data across multiple local applications using simple natural language instructions.

Category: Developer Tools & Code Intelligence

Tags: apple, automation, ios, macos, shortcuts

Visit Shortcuts

How to install and configure Shortcuts

1. Ensure your system meets the prerequisites: macOS 14.5 or later and Xcode 26.0 or later (Swift 6.2). 2. Install mise via Homebrew if not already installed: bash brew install mise 3. Add the server configuration to your MCP client configuration file (such as Cursor or Claude Desktop): json { "mcpServers": { "shortcuts-mcp-server": { "command": "mise", "args": [ "x", "ubi:artemnovichkov/shortcuts-mcp-server@latest", "--", "shortcuts-mcp-server" ] } } } 4. Restart your MCP client to initialize the server and make the tools available.

What you can do with Shortcuts

• Listing all installed shortcuts on your Mac, optionally displaying internal identifiers for inspection and verification. * Running complex macOS automations and batch workflows by invoking the run tool with the shortcut name. * Opening and viewing specific automation flows directly inside the native macOS Shortcuts application for review or editing. * Triggering system-level tasks and productivity scripts from conversational prompts inside Cursor, VS Code, or Claude Desktop.

Key facts

• https://github.com/artemnovichkov/shortcuts-mcp-server
• Developer Tools & Code Intelligence, Other & General Purpose
• apple, automation, ios, macos, shortcuts

Part of MCP Servers

What is Shortcuts MCP Server?

Shortcuts MCP Server is an integration built for Model Context Protocol clients that exposes Apple Shortcuts functionality. It allows compatible AI models running locally or through clients to view, list, and execute native macOS shortcuts on your machine.

What tools are included in Shortcuts MCP Server?

The server includes three primary tools: run, which executes a specified shortcut by name; list, which lists all available shortcuts and optionally includes their identifiers; and view, which opens a specific shortcut directly inside the macOS Shortcuts app.

What are the system requirements for Shortcuts MCP Server?

To run the server, you need a Mac running macOS 14.5 or later, Xcode 26.0 or later with Swift 6.2 support, and the mise runtime manager installed on your system.

Which MCP clients work with Shortcuts MCP Server?

Shortcuts MCP Server is compatible with popular Model Context Protocol applications, including Cursor, Claude Desktop, VS Code, and any other client that supports standard MCP server execution, prompts, and resources.