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BarCuts › URL Scheme: Run Workflows

Since v2025.5, BarCuts can execute local workflows by URI. That means every workflow now gets a local link for running it. If you paste that URI/link in any other app, like Apple Notes, or in Calendar events, or a Obsidian note etc., you can run the workflow from there just by clicking the link.

(The macOS Shortcuts app has a URL scheme for opening a workflow1 in editing mode but none for executing a workflow.)

The floating panel contains a section for copying a local link that can be used on all Macs that sync your Shortcuts data using your iCloud account.

Screenshot of the floating panel, highlighting the section titled "Local link for running workflow", which contains a "Copy" button, and help text.

This link will only work on your Mac. If you have two or more Macs which are signed in to the same Apple account, and therefore share the same stock of Shortcuts workflows, then this link will usually work on all of them.

These links will not work on your iOS devices, though, or on Macs that are not signed in to your Apple account.

  • barcuts://run-workflow?id=<workflow ID>: The id parameter is the internal UUID of the workflow which is unique to the Apple account it belongs to.
  • barcuts://run-workflow?title=<workflow title>: The title parameter needs to be properly URL encoded

Passing text to the workflow

You can pass an optional text parameter input – it'll be supplied as input parameter to the workflow. Example of a link that passes the text "My input text!":

barcuts://run-workflow?id=<workflow ID>&input=My%20input%20text%21

When using the built-in Shortcuts Input variable in the workflow editor, make sure to configure the workflow to receive input of type Text. Example:

Screenshot of a Shortcuts editor Text action containing the "Shortcuts Input" variable. Above it is the input configuration, set to "Receive Text"

But why?

Because scripting is great, automation is great! This feature specifically allows me to call workflows from my Obsidian notes while passing data to them.

Let me know if you built something cool with it, I would love to see it! If it's a good fit, I might even add a link here. 🤙🏼

Footnotes

  1. See terminology. ↩