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App Shortcuts Reference

Overview

Comprehensive guide to App Shortcuts framework for making your app's actions instantly available in Siri, Spotlight, Action Button, Control Center, and other system experiences. App Shortcuts are pre-configured App Intents that work immediately after app install—no user setup required.

Key distinction App Intents are the actions; App Shortcuts are the pre-configured "surface" that makes those actions instantly discoverable system-wide.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Implementing AppShortcutsProvider for your app
• Adding suggested phrases for Siri invocation
• Configuring instant Spotlight availability
• Creating parameterized shortcuts (skip Siri clarification)
• Using NegativeAppShortcutPhrase to prevent false positives (iOS 17+)
• Promoting shortcuts with SiriTipView
• Updating shortcuts dynamically with updateAppShortcutParameters()
• Debugging shortcuts not appearing in Shortcuts app or Spotlight
• Choosing between App Intents and App Shortcuts

Do NOT use this skill for:

• General App Intents implementation (use app-intents-ref)
• Core Spotlight indexing (use core-spotlight-ref)
• Overall discoverability strategy (use app-discoverability)

Related Skills

• app-intents-ref — Complete App Intents implementation reference
• app-discoverability — Strategic guide for making apps discoverable
• core-spotlight-ref — Core Spotlight and NSUserActivity integration

App Shortcuts vs App Intents

When to use App Shortcuts Every app should provide App Shortcuts for core functionality. They dramatically improve discoverability with zero user effort.

Core Concepts

AppShortcutsProvider Protocol

Required conformance Your app must have exactly one type conforming to AppShortcutsProvider.

struct MyAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider {
    // Required: Define your shortcuts
    @AppShortcutsBuilder
    static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] { get }

    // Optional: Branding color
    static var shortcutTileColor: ShortcutTileColor { get }

    // Optional: Dynamic updates
    static func updateAppShortcutParameters()

    // Optional: Negative phrases (iOS 17+)
    static var negativePhrases: [NegativeAppShortcutPhrase] { get }
}

Platform support iOS 16+, iPadOS 16+, macOS 13+, tvOS 16+, watchOS 9+

AppShortcut Structure

Associates an AppIntent with spoken phrases and metadata.

AppShortcut(
    intent: StartMeditationIntent(),
    phrases: [
        "Start meditation in \(.applicationName)",
        "Begin mindfulness with \(.applicationName)"
    ],
    shortTitle: "Meditate",
    systemImageName: "figure.mind.and.body"
)

Components:

• intent — The App Intent to execute
• phrases — Spoken/typed phrases for Siri/Spotlight
• shortTitle — Short label for Shortcuts app tiles
• systemImageName — SF Symbol for visual representation

AppShortcutPhrase (Suggested Phrases)

String interpolation Phrases use \(.applicationName) to dynamically include your app's name.

phrases: [
    "Start meditation in \(.applicationName)",
    "Meditate with \(.applicationName)"
]

User sees in Siri/Spotlight:

• "Start meditation in Calm"
• "Meditate with Calm"

Why this matters The system uses these exact phrases to trigger your intent via Siri and show suggestions in Spotlight.

@AppShortcutsBuilder

Result builder for defining shortcuts array.

@AppShortcutsBuilder
static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] {
    AppShortcut(intent: OrderIntent(), /* ... */)
    AppShortcut(intent: ReorderIntent(), /* ... */)

    if UserDefaults.standard.bool(forKey: "premiumUser") {
        AppShortcut(intent: CustomizeIntent(), /* ... */)
    }
}

Result builder features:

• Conditional shortcuts (if/else)
• Loop-generated shortcuts (for-in)
• Inline array construction

Phrase Template Patterns

Basic Phrases (No Parameters)

AppShortcut(
    intent: StartWorkoutIntent(),
    phrases: [
        "Start workout in \(.applicationName)",
        "Begin exercise with \(.applicationName)",
        "Work out in \(.applicationName)"
    ],
    shortTitle: "Start Workout",
    systemImageName: "figure.run"
)

Benefits:

• Simple, discoverable
• Works for all users
• No parameter ambiguity

Use when Intent has no required parameters or parameters have defaults.

Parameterized Phrases (Skip Clarification)

Pre-configure intents with specific parameter values to skip Siri's clarification step.

// Intent with parameters
struct StartMeditationIntent: AppIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Start Meditation"

    @Parameter(title: "Type")
    var meditationType: MeditationType?

    @Parameter(title: "Duration")
    var duration: Int?
}

// Shortcuts with different parameter combinations
@AppShortcutsBuilder
static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] {
    // Generic version (will ask for parameters)
    AppShortcut(
        intent: StartMeditationIntent(),
        phrases: ["Start meditation in \(.applicationName)"],
        shortTitle: "Meditate",
        systemImageName: "figure.mind.and.body"
    )

    // Specific versions (skip parameter step)
    AppShortcut(
        intent: StartMeditationIntent(
            meditationType: .mindfulness,
            duration: 10
        ),
        phrases: [
            "Start quick mindfulness in \(.applicationName)",
            "10 minute mindfulness in \(.applicationName)"
        ],
        shortTitle: "Quick Mindfulness",
        systemImageName: "brain.head.profile"
    )

    AppShortcut(
        intent: StartMeditationIntent(
            meditationType: .sleep,
            duration: 20
        ),
        phrases: [
            "Start sleep meditation in \(.applicationName)"
        ],
        shortTitle: "Sleep Meditation",
        systemImageName: "moon.stars.fill"
    )
}

Benefits:

• One-phrase completion (no follow-up questions)
• Better user experience for common use cases
• Spotlight shows specific shortcuts

Trade-off More shortcuts = more visual clutter in Shortcuts app. Balance common cases (3-5 shortcuts) vs flexibility (generic shortcut with parameters).

NegativeAppShortcutPhrase (iOS 17+)

Train the system to NOT invoke your app for certain phrases.

struct MeditationAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider {
    @AppShortcutsBuilder
    static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] {
        AppShortcut(
            intent: StartMeditationIntent(),
            phrases: ["Start meditation in \(.applicationName)"],
            shortTitle: "Meditate",
            systemImageName: "figure.mind.and.body"
        )
    }

    // Prevent false positives
    static var negativePhrases: [NegativeAppShortcutPhrase] {
        NegativeAppShortcutPhrases {
            "Stop meditation"
            "Cancel meditation"
            "End session"
        }
    }
}

When to use:

• Phrases that sound similar to your shortcuts but mean the opposite
• Common phrases users might say that shouldn't trigger your app
• Disambiguation when multiple apps have similar capabilities

Platform iOS 17.0+, iPadOS 17.0+, macOS 14.0+, tvOS 17.0+, watchOS 10.0+

Discovery UI Components

SiriTipView — Promote Shortcuts In-App

Display the spoken phrase for a shortcut directly in your app's UI.

import AppIntents
import SwiftUI

struct OrderConfirmationView: View {
    @State private var showSiriTip = true

    var body: some View {
        VStack {
            Text("Order confirmed!")

            // Show Siri tip after successful order
            SiriTipView(intent: ReorderIntent(), isVisible: $showSiriTip)
                .siriTipViewStyle(.dark)
        }
    }
}

Requirements:

• Intent must be used in an AppShortcut (otherwise shows empty view)
• isVisible binding controls display state

Styles:

• .automatic — Adapts to environment
• .light — Light background
• .dark — Dark background

Best practice Show after users complete actions, suggesting easier ways next time.

ShortcutsLink — Link to Shortcuts App

Opens your app's page in the Shortcuts app, listing all available shortcuts.

import AppIntents
import SwiftUI

struct SettingsView: View {
    var body: some View {
        List {
            Section("Siri & Shortcuts") {
                ShortcutsLink()
                // Displays "Shortcuts" with standard link styling
            }
        }
    }
}

When to use:

• Settings screen
• Help/Support section
• Onboarding flow

Benefits Single tap takes users to see all your app's shortcuts, with suggested phrases visible.

ShortcutTileColor — Branding

Set the color for your shortcuts in the Shortcuts app.

struct CoffeeAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider {
    static var shortcutTileColor: ShortcutTileColor = .tangerine

    @AppShortcutsBuilder
    static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] {
        // ...
    }
}

Available colors:

Full list: .blue, .grape, .grayBlue, .grayBrown, .grayGreen, .lightBlue, .lime, .navy, .orange, .pink, .purple, .red, , ,

Choose color that matches your app icon or brand identity.

Dynamic Updates

updateAppShortcutParameters()

Call when parameter options change to refresh stored shortcuts.

struct MeditationAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider {
    @AppShortcutsBuilder
    static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] {
        // Shortcuts can reference dynamic data
        for session in MeditationData.favoriteSessions {
            AppShortcut(
                intent: StartSessionIntent(session: session),
                phrases: ["Start \(session.name) in \(.applicationName)"],
                shortTitle: session.name,
                systemImageName: session.iconName
            )
        }
    }

    static func updateAppShortcutParameters() {
        // Called automatically when needed
        // Override only if you need custom behavior
    }
}

// In your app, when data changes
extension MeditationData {
    func markAsFavorite(_ session: Session) {
        favoriteSessions.append(session)

        // Update App Shortcuts to reflect new data
        MeditationAppShortcuts.updateAppShortcutParameters()
    }
}

When to call:

• User adds/removes favorites
• Available options change
• App data structure updates

Automatic invocation The system calls this periodically, but you can force updates when you know data changed.

Complete Implementation Example

Step 1: Define App Intents

import AppIntents

struct OrderCoffeeIntent: AppIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Order Coffee"
    static var description = IntentDescription("Orders coffee for pickup")

    @Parameter(title: "Coffee Type")
    var coffeeType: CoffeeType

    @Parameter(title: "Size")
    var size: CoffeeSize

    @Parameter(title: "Customizations")
    var customizations: String?

    static var parameterSummary: some ParameterSummary {
        Summary("Order \(\.$size) \(\.$coffeeType)") {
            \.$customizations
        }
    }

    func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult {
        let order = try await CoffeeService.shared.order(
            type: coffeeType,
            size: size,
            customizations: customizations
        )

        return .result(
            value: order,
            dialog: "Your \(size) \(coffeeType) is ordered for pickup"
        )
    }
}

struct ReorderLastIntent: AppIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Reorder Last Coffee"
    static var description = IntentDescription("Reorders your most recent coffee")
    static var openAppWhenRun: Bool = false

    func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult {
        guard let lastOrder = try await CoffeeService.shared.lastOrder() else {
            throw CoffeeError.noRecentOrders
        }

        try await CoffeeService.shared.reorder(lastOrder)

        return .result(
            dialog: "Reordering your \(lastOrder.coffeeName)"
        )
    }
}

enum CoffeeType: String, AppEnum {
    case latte, cappuccino, americano, espresso

    static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Coffee"
    static var caseDisplayRepresentations: [CoffeeType: DisplayRepresentation] = [
        .latte: "Latte",
        .cappuccino: "Cappuccino",
        .americano: "Americano",
        .espresso: "Espresso"
    ]
}

enum CoffeeSize: String, AppEnum {
    case small, medium, large

    static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Size"
    static var caseDisplayRepresentations: [CoffeeSize: DisplayRepresentation] = [
        .small: "Small",
        .medium: "Medium",
        .large: "Large"
    ]
}

Step 2: Create AppShortcutsProvider

import AppIntents

struct CoffeeAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider {

    @AppShortcutsBuilder
    static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] {
        // Generic order (will ask for parameters)
        AppShortcut(
            intent: OrderCoffeeIntent(),
            phrases: [
                "Order coffee in \(.applicationName)",
                "Get coffee from \(.applicationName)"
            ],
            shortTitle: "Order",
            systemImageName: "cup.and.saucer.fill"
        )

        // Common specific orders (skip parameter step)
        AppShortcut(
            intent: OrderCoffeeIntent(
                coffeeType: .latte,
                size: .medium
            ),
            phrases: [
                "Order my usual from \(.applicationName)",
                "Get my regular coffee from \(.applicationName)"
            ],
            shortTitle: "Usual Order",
            systemImageName: "star.fill"
        )

        // Reorder last
        AppShortcut(
            intent: ReorderLastIntent(),
            phrases: [
                "Reorder coffee from \(.applicationName)",
                "Order again from \(.applicationName)"
            ],
            shortTitle: "Reorder",
            systemImageName: "arrow.clockwise"
        )
    }

    // Branding
    static var shortcutTileColor: ShortcutTileColor = .tangerine

    // Prevent false positives (iOS 17+)
    static var negativePhrases: [NegativeAppShortcutPhrase] {
        NegativeAppShortcutPhrases {
            "Cancel coffee order"
            "Stop coffee"
        }
    }
}

Step 3: Promote in UI

import SwiftUI
import AppIntents

struct OrderConfirmationView: View {
    @State private var showReorderTip = true

    var body: some View {
        VStack(spacing: 20) {
            Image(systemName: "checkmark.circle.fill")
                .font(.system(size: 60))
                .foregroundColor(.green)

            Text("Order Placed!")
                .font(.title)

            Text("Your coffee will be ready in 10 minutes")
                .foregroundColor(.secondary)

            // Promote reorder shortcut
            if showReorderTip {
                SiriTipView(intent: ReorderLastIntent(), isVisible: $showReorderTip)
                    .siriTipViewStyle(.dark)
                    .padding(.top)
            }

            // Link to see all shortcuts
            Section {
                ShortcutsLink()
            } header: {
                Text("See all available shortcuts")
                    .font(.caption)
            }
        }
        .padding()
    }
}

Where App Shortcuts Appear

Once implemented, your App Shortcuts are available in:

Instant availability All locations work immediately after app install. No user setup required.

Testing & Debugging

Verify Shortcuts Appear in Shortcuts App

1. Build and run your app on device
2. Open Shortcuts app
3. Tap "+" to create new shortcut
4. Search for your app name
5. Verify shortcuts appear with correct titles and icons

If shortcuts don't appear:

• Ensure AppShortcutsProvider is in your main app target
• Check that isDiscoverable is true for the AppIntents (default)
• Rebuild and reinstall app
• Check console for AppShortcuts errors

Test Siri Invocation

1. Invoke Siri
2. Say one of your suggested phrases
3. Verify Siri executes the intent

Example :

• You: "Order coffee in CoffeeApp"
• Siri: "What size and type?"
• You: "Medium latte"
• Siri: "Your medium latte is ordered for pickup"

If Siri doesn't recognize phrase:

• Check phrase includes \(.applicationName)
• Verify phrase is in appShortcuts array
• Try simpler phrases (3-6 words ideal)
• Avoid complex grammar or rare words

Test Spotlight Discovery

1. Swipe down to open Spotlight
2. Type your app name or shortcut phrase
3. Verify shortcut appears in results
4. Tap to execute

If shortcut doesn't appear in Spotlight:

• Wait a few minutes (indexing delay)
• Restart device
• Check System Settings → Siri & Search → [Your App] → Show App in Search

Debug with Console Logs

#if DEBUG
struct CoffeeAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider {
    @AppShortcutsBuilder
    static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] {
        let shortcuts = [
            AppShortcut(/* ... */),
            // ...
        ]

        print("📱 Registered \(shortcuts.count) App Shortcuts")
        shortcuts.forEach { shortcut in
            print("  - \(shortcut.shortTitle)")
        }

        return shortcuts
    }
}
#endif

Check Xcode console after app launch to verify shortcuts are registered.

Best Practices

1. Phrase Design

❌ DON'T: Long, complex phrases

phrases: [
    "I would like to order a coffee from \(.applicationName) please"
]

✅ DO: Short, natural phrases

phrases: [
    "Order coffee in \(.applicationName)",
    "Get coffee from \(.applicationName)"
]

Guidelines:

• 3-6 words ideal
• Start with verb (Order, Start, Get, Show)
• Include \(.applicationName) for disambiguation
• Use natural language users would actually say

2. Shortcut Quantity

❌ DON'T: Provide 20+ shortcuts

// Bad: Overwhelming
AppShortcut for every possible combination

✅ DO: Focus on 3-5 core actions

// Good: Focused on common tasks
AppShortcut(intent: OrderIntent(), /* ... */)
AppShortcut(intent: ReorderIntent(), /* ... */)
AppShortcut(intent: ViewOrdersIntent(), /* ... */)

Why Too many shortcuts creates clutter. Focus on high-value, frequently-used actions.

3. Parameter Combinations

❌ DON'T: Parameterize every variant

// Bad: Creates 12 shortcuts (3 sizes × 4 types)
for size in CoffeeSize.allCases {
    for type in CoffeeType.allCases {
        AppShortcut(intent: OrderIntent(type: type, size: size), /* ... */)
    }
}

✅ DO: Provide generic + top 2-3 common cases

// Good: Generic + common specific cases
AppShortcut(intent: OrderIntent(), /* ... */)  // Generic
AppShortcut(intent: OrderIntent(type: .latte, size: .medium), /* ... */)  // Usual
AppShortcut(intent: OrderIntent(type: .espresso, size: .small), /* ... */)  // Quick

4. Short Titles

❌ DON'T: Verbose or redundant

shortTitle: "Order Coffee from Coffee App"

✅ DO: Concise and clear

shortTitle: "Order"

Context App name already appears in Shortcuts app, so no need to repeat.

5. System Images

❌ DON'T: Use custom images

// Not supported
shortImage: UIImage(named: "custom")

✅ DO: Use SF Symbols

systemImageName: "cup.and.saucer.fill"

Why SF Symbols scale properly, support dark mode, and integrate with system UI.

Resources

WWDC : 2022-10170, 2022-10169, 260

Docs : /appintents/appshortcutsprovider, /appintents/appshortcut, /appintents/app-shortcuts

Skills : axiom-app-intents-ref, axiom-app-discoverability, axiom-core-spotlight-ref

Remember App Shortcuts make your app's functionality instantly available across iOS. Define 3-5 core shortcuts with natural phrases, promote them in your UI with SiriTipView, and users can invoke them immediately via Siri, Spotlight, Action Button, and more.

Weekly Installs

96

Repository

charleswiltgen/axiom

GitHub Stars

610

First Seen

Jan 21, 2026

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