Shortcuts MCP Server by Artemnovichkov is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server designed to bridge AI agents with Apple Shortcuts on macOS. This free tool, categorized as an MCP server for OS and App Automation, enables AI clients to discover and invoke macOS tasks. Built with Swift 6.2 and requiring Xcode 26.0 or later, it installs via the mise package manager. It provides a structured way for AI assistants to interact with and automate functions within the macOS environment, enhancing agent capabilities.

What does Shortcuts MCP Server connect to?

The Shortcuts MCP Server connects directly to Apple Shortcuts functionality on macOS. It operates as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, specializing in OS Automation and App Automation. The server is developed using Swift, requiring Xcode 26.0 or later for its Swift 6.2 runtime. This setup allows AI agents to access and control various automated workflows defined within the user's macOS Shortcuts application, extending AI capabilities into the desktop environment.

Core features and tools

The server exposes several callable tools for interacting with Shortcuts. These include run, which executes a shortcut and accepts parameters for name, input, and filepath. The list tool provides a list of available shortcuts, with an optional parameter to show identifiers. Additionally, view opens a specific shortcut within the Shortcuts app, requiring a name. When the GENERATE_SHORTCUT_TOOLS environment variable is true by default, the server also dynamically creates a dedicated tool, run_shortcut_[sanitized_name], for each individual shortcut.

Who is it for?

This tool is intended for AI assistants and developers who are building AI agents that need to interact with and automate tasks on macOS using Apple Shortcuts. It provides a standardized protocol for AI clients like Cursor, Claude Desktop, and VS Code to discover and invoke macOS-specific automation. It allows AI agents to perform actions such as triggering custom scripts or accessing system functions through defined shortcuts. Skip this if you do not require macOS automation for AI agents.

How to get started

No credentials are required. The server communicates with AI clients via standard input/output, configurable with GENERATE_SHORTCUT_TOOLS and INJECT_SHORTCUT_LIST environment variables.

Use cases

• An AI assistant listing all available shortcuts to determine which one to execute.
• An AI assistant running a specific shortcut with provided input, such as triggering a custom deployment shortcut by asking to "deploy my app to staging".
• An AI assistant opening a shortcut directly in the Shortcuts app for inspection or modification.

The Shortcuts MCP Server offers a direct pathway for AI agents to automate tasks on macOS through Apple Shortcuts. It provides essential tools for listing, running, and viewing shortcuts, enhancing AI interaction with the desktop. Its design supports various MCP-enabled AI clients, making it a valuable component for macOS automation.