Shortcuts Automator

Overview

This skill enables OpenClaw to interact with macOS Shortcuts (formerly Automator) directly from conversation. It provides CLI commands to list, run, view, and manage shortcuts.

Quick Start

# List all available shortcuts
shortcuts list

# Run a specific shortcut by name
shortcuts run "My Shortcut Name"

# View details of a shortcut
shortcuts view "My Shortcut Name"

# Sign a shortcut for automation (if needed)
shortcuts sign "My Shortcut Name"

Commands

shortcuts list

Lists all shortcuts available in the user's Shortcuts library.

shortcuts list

Output: Returns a list of all shortcut names with folder information.

Use when: User asks "what shortcuts do I have", "list shortcuts", "show me my shortcuts", "what automations can I run".

shortcuts run <name>

Runs a shortcut by its exact name. The shortcut must exist in the user's Shortcuts folder.

shortcuts run "Morning Routine"
shortcuts run "Send Email"

Parameters:

• <name>: Exact name of the shortcut (use quotes if name contains spaces)

Use when: User says "run shortcut X", "execute shortcut X", "run automation X", "trigger shortcut X".

Notes:

• Some shortcuts require input (text, files, etc.) - will prompt or pass through
• Shortcuts run with user permissions
• Output from the shortcut is returned as text

shortcuts view <name>

Shows detailed information about a shortcut, including its actions and workflow.

shortcuts view "Morning Routine"

Output: Returns the shortcut's description, actions, and workflow steps.

Use when: User asks "what does shortcut X do", "show me shortcut X", "view automation X", "tell me about shortcut X".

shortcuts sign <name>

Signs a shortcut to allow it to run from the command line (required for some automation scenarios).

shortcuts sign "My Shortcut"

Use when: Shortcut fails to run with "not signed" error, or user wants to enable CLI execution.

Error Handling

"No shortcuts found"

Cause: Shortcuts library is empty or inaccessible.

Solution:

• Create shortcuts in the Shortcuts app
• Check Shortcuts app permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security

"Shortcut not found" / "Could not find shortcut"

Cause: Shortcut name doesn't match exactly or shortcut was deleted.

Solution:

• Run shortcuts list to see exact names
• Use the exact name including capitalization
• Check if the shortcut is in a specific folder (use folder name: "Folder/Shortcut Name")

"Not allowed to run" / "Shortcut not signed"

Cause: Shortcut needs to be signed for CLI execution.

Solution:

shortcuts sign "Shortcut Name"

Or enable in Shortcuts app: Right-click shortcut > Toggle "Allow Running from Command Line"

"Permission denied" / "Automation access denied"

Cause: OpenClaw doesn't have permission to control Shortcuts.

Solution:

• Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation
• Enable OpenClaw/your app in the list

Shortcut hangs or times out

Cause: Shortcut may be waiting for input or stuck in a loop.

Solution:

• Use shortcuts view to inspect the shortcut's actions
• Check if the shortcut requires user interaction
• Add timeout when calling: timeout 30 shortcuts run "Name"

Examples

User says: "Run my morning routine shortcut"

shortcuts run "Morning Routine"

**User shortcuts do I have?"

shortcuts list

User says: "Show me what the email shortcut does"

shortcuts view "Send Daily Email"

User says: "I need to sign a shortcut for automation"

shortcuts sign "My Automation Shortcut"

Security Considerations

⚠️ Important: Shortcuts can execute shell commands, access files, and control other apps.

• Only run trusted shortcuts — Review your shortcuts before running them
• Shortcuts have access to your files, emails, calendar, and other data depending on their actions
• Be cautious with shortcuts from unknown sources or those that include shell commands
• Regularly review your shortcuts in the Shortcuts app
• Shortcuts run with your user permissions, so they can access anything you can