Everyday Agent examples

You do not need special commands to use Shortcuts AI. Tell Agent the result you want, include the details it should not guess, and name any limit you want it to follow.

A useful request often has three parts:

Context + desired result + important constraint

For example:

These are my notes from today's client call. Turn them into a short summary and add each action item to my Work reminders. Ask me before assigning a due date that was not discussed.

Create a reminder from a sentence

Remind me to call the dentist tomorrow at 9 AM.

Agent can extract the task and time, then ask Apple Shortcuts to add the reminder on your device. Name the list when it matters.

Add "send the revised proposal" to my Work reminders for Friday at 10 AM.

Add an event from something you share

Share an event flyer, screenshot, PDF, link, or block of text with Agent. Then ask:

Add this event to my Work calendar. If the time zone is missing, ask me before saving it.

Agent can read the shared context, identify event details, and prepare a Calendar action. Review any permission request or confirmation shown by your device.

Turn a voice memo into notes and next steps

Share a voice memo, then ask:

Summarize this meeting in Notes. Put decisions first, then add the action items to my Work reminders.

Audio must be uploaded for transcription before the model can use it. Audio transcription is an online, billable tool. See Usage pricing for how online tools are charged.

Research a question and save the useful parts

Find the current carry-on size rules from the airline's official website. Save a concise checklist to Notes and include the source links.

This request may use web search before creating a note. Ask for primary or official sources when accuracy matters.

Prepare an email without giving up the final decision

Draft a concise email to Jamie with these project updates. Show it to me before sending.

You can save that review rule in Instructions when you want it applied to every communication request.

Gmail and Outlook tools can open a prefilled compose screen in the installed app. You review and send the draft there.

Continue from a file, link, or message

The Share Sheet can pass supported text, links, Safari pages, messages, mail, contacts, images, audio, PDFs, and other files to Agent.

Useful follow-up requests include:

• "Summarize this PDF in five bullets and save them to Notes."
• "Turn the dates in this message into calendar events."
• "Extract the contact details from this file and ask before saving them."
• "Read this page and list the claims that need fact-checking."

See Ways to start Agent for Share Sheet setup and other entry points.

Combine steps in one request

Agent can use one result to decide the next step. Keep the sequence explicit when order matters.

Search for three nearby pharmacies that are open now. Show me the options, let me choose one, then open it in Maps.

If a necessary detail is missing, Agent can ask a follow-up question. Do not force a guess when the wrong recipient, date, location, or account would be costly.

Keep requests safe and predictable

• Enable only the tools you want Agent to consider.
• Put recurring confirmation rules in Instructions.
• Include names, dates, times, destinations, and account or list names when they matter.
• Review AI output before relying on it for legal, medical, financial, employment, or safety-critical decisions.
• Start a new request when the current conversation has accumulated irrelevant context.

If an action or permission fails, follow the troubleshooting guide.