How to create and use shortcuts in macOS Monterey: Beginner’s Guide

If there was a feature I missed on macOS, it was a shortcut. Yes, there was Automator, but nothing beats the ease of use of iPhone / iPad shortcuts. Thankfully, the Mac included this feature, so you can now create and use shortcuts in macOS Monterey.

And with this new addition, you can learn more. You can perform the task with two quick clicks. I love the possibilities that the macOS shortcut app offers.

So here is a complete guide to help you master the shortcut app. Let’s start with the features.

macOS shortcut app features

There’s a reason to get hooked on macOS 12 Monterey’s new Shortcuts app. It’s more than just a simple shortcut.

• General shortcuts – Run iPhone or iPad shortcuts on Mac with M1 or Intel chips. So you don’t have to start from scratch. Comes with all the shortcuts you have collected.
• Pre-built shortcuts – Now you have access to an updated library with some great shortcuts for Mac that you can customize and use easily.
• ICloud Sync for victory – Create and manage shortcuts on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac for seamless cross-device management and sync automatically
• System-wide support – The main advantage is that you can access and run shortcuts from the Dock, Spotlight, menu bar, Finder, desktop and more.
• Convert an existing workflow – Good news for users using workflows created with the Automator app. You can easily convert them to shortcuts.
• Advanced script support – Professional users who rely on AppleScript or shell scripts can enjoy comprehensive compatibility.

Well, that’s just not surprising! Now that we’re done and dusted, let’s move on.

How to get shortcuts on Mac

The first step is to launch a new Shortcut app.. If it’s not available in the Dock, open it from Launchpad or Spotlight.

All shortcuts saved / created on your iPhone and iPad will be displayed immediately.go to gallery Explore more shortcuts available on your Mac from the sidebar.

Various shortcuts will be exhibited. In addition, it is divided into useful lists such as starter shortcuts, accessibility shortcuts, and organize.

Also, if you want to search for a specific app or a specific app, tap the search bar and enter your query.

Can I add untrusted shortcuts to my Mac?

Thankfully so! There are some great third parties, or untrusted shortcuts. I love being able to use them with macOS Monterey.

This tutorial uses common shortcuts from the shortcut gallery.

1. Go to the Shortcut Gallery website and click Get a shortcut..

   

2. Go to the shortcut app and click Add a shortcut.

   

Note: There is a reason they are called untrusted shortcuts. You can’t blindly trust something on the web and add it to your Mac. Try downloading the shortcuts from a trusted source and read the reviews and comments.

How to create shortcuts in macOS Monterey on Mac

In some cases, you may not find a suitable match in the sea of ​​available shortcuts. Therefore, you may need to create it for your exact needs.

To explain, I’m getting upcoming reminders, listening to them, and creating shortcuts to play my favorite podcasts.

1. Start Shortcut Click on the app + Icon It is in the upper right.

   

2. In the search bar on the top right, Action / app I want you.
3. Select an action and drag and drop it to the shortcut editor (left window).
   Note: The options highlighted in blue are variables and can be changed.

   

4. Find subsequent actions and drag and drop them into the editor.hit play Click the icon to test the shortcut and edit it accordingly.
5. When everything is smooth, click Shortcut given names Give it a name at the top.
6. click icon Select a color / icon from here to see the host of customization options next to the name.

   

7. When you’re happy with the shortcut, click close Upper left button.

I tested this on Mac and iPhone and it worked fine on both.

Well, this is the main shortcut. You can build on it as you like. In addition, various scripting options such as repeat and if allow you to create complex multi-tiered shortcuts.

How to use Siri shortcuts on Mac

The easiest way to perform shortcuts on your iPhone and iPad is to use Siri. However, at this time, the assistant doesn’t seem to be able to do that on macOS Monterey.

But don’t be disappointed. There are other smooth methods you can use.

1. Execute the shortcut directly from the shortcut app

Another nifty way is Shortcut For apps, hover over the shortcut and play icon.

2. Use the dock

If you have your app dock, Right-click or double-finger tap to display the context menu.Here you choose either Execute a shortcut Or Open recently Get a list of available shortcuts.

3. Access from the menu bar

When enabled, the shortcut icon will be placed at the top of the screen. Click at any time to select the shortcut you want to run.

Here’s how to add a shortcut to the menu bar

1. In Shortcut In the app, double-click the short cut to open it.
2. click Adjustment icon (3 lines) Upper right.
3. here, Stay in the menu bar option.
4. click close Icon once completed.

4. Create a quick action

This is a Finder window,[サービス]This means that you can create workflows that can be accessed from the menu and touch bar.

From Shortcut editor window → Adjustment icon → Details, Please check Used as a quick action Select one or all of these options.

• finder
• Touch bar
• Service menu
• Add keyboard shortcut

How to edit shortcuts in macOS Monterey

Whether you make changes to native or third-party shortcuts, these tricks will help you personalize the shortcut to T.

1. Open Shortcut In the app, double-click on the short cut.
2. In the editor window
   • Add an action – Search, drag and drop in the main window
   • Delete – Move the cursor to the action and click the “X” to delete it.
   • Customize the action – –[もっと見る]Click (if available) and edit from the available options.
   • Change of variables – Click the blue text to see the available options and select accordingly.
3. click close Save your changes.

Manage shortcuts on a Mac running macOS Monterey

While exploring, I found some options that made the app easier to use. Let’s get on them.

• Share between devices – Open the shortcut editor window and go to Adjustment icon → Details..
• Display on iPhone / iPad shared sheet – Select the check box to show / hide the shortcut in the shared sheet of the paired device.
• Display on Apple Watch – View / run clock shortcuts or make it a convenient complication for quick access from the clock face.

• View switching – All shortcuts can be viewed in grid view or list view. The same options are plotted in the upper right.

• Enable / disable iCloud sync – Open the shortcut app and tap Shortcut From the menu bar → Environmental setting → General → Check / Uncheck iCloud sync..

Can also be enabled Privacy sharing From this section, allow your contacts to share shortcuts privately.

• Allow execution of other scripts -Go to Environmental setting From the menu bar → Advanced tab → Allow script execution.. This enables many features, from AppleScript to automation support, such as split screen.

• Edit sidebar options – In the app Shortcut → Environmental setting → Side bar Tab → Shortcut Select the item to be displayed in the sidebar of the app.
• Share shortcuts – Right-click or double-finger tap the shortcut.select share Select from options → Proper way..

Delete shortcut – Right click to select Delete From the context menu → click Delete shortcut Check the action.

We hope this guide will help you create and use shortcuts on your Mac. I have already confessed my love for macOS Monterey’s new Shortcuts app. And now you may have guessed the reason behind my affection.

Did you feel similar? Share your thoughts, suggestions, questions, etc. about macOS shortcuts in the comments section below.

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