iOS Shortcuts

A collection of shortcuts for the Shortcuts app.

(To view the original collection of Workflows for iOS 11 and earlier using Workflow App, click here.)

Table of Contents

• Replenish
• Cab Fare Calculator
• Office Bucket
• Do Not Disturb
• Down for Everyone?
• Brew Tea
• Metro Status
• Bixi
• Guess the Number

Replenish

Description

This Shortcut helps you and your family to manage replacing essential items around the house. For example, if you run out of coffee, run the shortcut, simply select "Coffee" and let the rest of the magic happen:

• The item will be added to a shared Reminders list.
• You'll get an alert when you're nearby the designated shop for that item.
• A text will be sent to chosen people to let them know the item has run out.

Installation

Installation and setup requires a few separate steps to complete, but once done you won't need to make any changes except to add or remove items.

1. Configure the list of Items and Locations

   The Shortcut consults a JSON file of these items. Named replenish_items.json, it lives in the Shortcuts folder of your iCloud drive.

   To stare you off, there's an example file here, but obviously you'll want to adjust it to your own needs. The easiest way to do this is using a text editor, but there are also iOS specific apps for editing JSON such as Jayson if you don't have a Mac or Windows machine to use.

   There are two main sections to the JSON file:

   • Locations

     This section lists locations you want to be reminded to buy something at. For example, "My Grocery Store": "4516 Dundas St, London, ON, N6B 3L5". What's key is that the address would be a valid one in an Apple Maps search.

   • Items

     Here's where you keep your list of things to replenish, complete with a signifying emoji! Each item is linked back to one of the locations you listed above. For example:

       "Coffee": {
           "item": "Coffee",
           "location": "My Grocery Store",
           "emoji": "☕️"
       }
     

   It's as simple as that!

2. Sharing the Item List

   If you're sharing between multiple household members, place replenish_items.json in your iCloud "Shortcuts" folder and share this file with anyone you need to. Ensure others have the file in the same location as you do. This way, when you edit the contents, the changes will be shared with everyone.

3. Download and Configure the Shortcut

   Click here to install.

   When you run it for the first time, you'll be asked for the following information:

   • The location of replenish_items.json
   • An optional list of contacts to send a text to each time an item needs to be replenished (don't include yourself in the list)
   • The Reminders list to use

   Anyone else installing this Shortcut will need to go through the same questions.

   This Shortcut is best run from the widget and does not require the phone to be unlocked.

Cab Fare Calculator

Description

I’m bad at working out quickly how much to tip a cab driver in my head, and just as bad at working how much to ask for in change if I give them the fare in dollar notes.

This Shortcut provides a Today widget to calculate the tip for you, telling you how much to give the driver in $10 increments and how much to ask back for in change.

Installation

Click here to install.

Office Bucket

Description

This is for when you remember something you need to do at the office, but you're not at the office. Run this Shortcut and it will be added to a Reminders list. Then, you can forget about the task until you arrive at the office. The reminder item is tied to your office location, so you'll get a friendly reminder on arrival at your desk.

Installation

Click here to install.

Do Not Disturb

Description

Provides more granular control over Do Not Disturb (DND) from the widget. Whereas Control Center lets you set DND for one hour, this Shortcut will let you activate DND until a specific time.

Installation

Click here to install.

Down for Everyone?

Description

Consults downforeveryoneorjustme.com to tell you the status of the current web page. Call it up from the iOS share sheet in your favourite browser when a website won't load, and it'll tell you if the site is down or not.

Installation

Click here to install.

Brew Tea

Description

Sets a tea timer. Very important.

On first run, it'll ask you how many minutes you prefer your tea to be brewed, as well as which Reminders list to use. After that, you can launch it from the widget whenever you need it.

Installation

Click here to install.

Metro Status

Description

Metro Status provides realtime updates on the status of the Montreal Metro direct from metroapp.heliomass.com in your Today widget.

Installation

Click here to install.

Bixi

Description

Locates the nearest Montreal Bixi dock in your Today Widget, and tells you how many bikes and free docks are available. Optionally, it will also provide walking or cycling directions.

I created this because sometimes you know the area and just want to see at a glance which cross-street the nearest station is at, and whether you could dock your bike there.

This widget is powered by Bixi Time. You can get the source code for Bixi Time here.

Installation

Click here to install.

Guess the Number

Description

A simple game for your Today widget. Try and guess the secret number in under 10 tries!

Installation

Click here to install.