TL;DR
Automate repetitive tasks on your Mac with the Shortcuts app. No coding required – everything works via drag-and-drop.
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Checked  ## How to do it 1. **Open the Shortcuts app** – pre-installed since macOS Monterey (2021). Spotlight: `Cmd+Space` → type "Shortcuts". 2. **Create a new shortcut** – click the **"+"** in the top right. 3. **Add actions** – search for actions in the right sidebar and drag them in. Examples: "Resize Image", "Create PDF", "Rename Files". 4. **Name and save your shortcut** – give it a clear name (e.g. "Shrink Images"). 5. **Run it** – double-click in the app, from the menu bar, or assign a **keyboard shortcut** (right-click → "Shortcut Details" → set keyboard shortcut). ## Practical examples - **Batch-resize images:** Select multiple images → right-click → Shortcut → all scaled to 1000px. - **Merge PDFs:** Select files → Shortcut creates a combined PDF. - **Clean up screenshots:** Automatically move from Desktop to a dedicated folder. - **Transform text:** Convert clipboard content to uppercase, format as a list, or translate. ## Why this helps Shortcuts is the modern successor to Automator – with one big advantage: your shortcuts **sync via iCloud** to iPhone and iPad. What you build on Mac works on the go too. The interface is visual (drag-and-drop), you need **zero coding skills**. Yet you can build surprisingly powerful automations. ## Good to know - Not all macOS features are available in Shortcuts – some things still need AppleScript or Automator. - Complex workflows can get messy – keep shortcuts short and focused. - **Pro tip:** Right-click files in Finder → "Quick Actions" shows your shortcuts directly in the context menu.
Sources
Selected references used to verify or support this tip.
- Apple Support: Mac keyboard shortcuts Apple Support · official_docs