On Shortcuts Classes - RoutineHub Discord

Updated 04292023-103815

just loosely riffing on something I should have started notetaking on a long time ago.

from my experience/perspective, Shortcuts "development"/learning is inevitably divided into at least two linear stages,

the first of which basically necessitates quite a bit of solo, unguided, trial-and-error-based exploration.

the closest I've come to a specific launch point:

my most-run shortcut by far: cut

which is literally just a "workaround"/fix for functions that used to be native to the control center (completely disabling WiFi & Bluetooth as opposed to ... what they do now (rant redacted lol)

educational in a lot of aspects, actually:

  1. as per the above, I think a big hurdle is comprehending the very particular scope this platform occupies. the nature of this one (over time, even!) is telling, imo.
  2. addressing the haphazardly ... evolving ... available means of calling this shortcut (a widget, type-to-siri, the URL scheme, spotlight search, location-based automation, and so on.)
  3. imo it also best exemplifies Shortcuts' absolute optimum function: literally just a repeatable shortcut for a simple series of bimodal configuration.

idk if that's actually insightful or not.

it's hard not to point out that we still don't even have a basic reference index for Apple's native shortcuts actions (just an example of the documentation we're lacking) ... which (from my perspective) really hinders embarking upon any sort of formalized education.

(for what it's worth, Cassinelli's action directory is the best available such reference, as far as I'm aware.) https://www.matthewcassinelli.com/actions

sorry, I did not intend this to be at all discouraging... I absolutely love the idea of collaborating our way through the obstacles. and am actively down.

I just think it's important that they be well known, first.