Web & Search Shortcuts

Web & Search Shortcuts

1. Quick Wikipedia Search

What It Does

Instantly search Wikipedia for a topic you enter, opening the results in Safari.

How to Build It

  • Open Shortcuts and tap +.
  • Add Action > “Ask for Input” (under “Scripting”).
  • Prompt: “What do you want to look up on Wikipedia?”
  • Add Action > “Open URLs” (or “Search Web”).
  • URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/[[Provided Input]]
  • Insert the Provided Input variable in place of [[Provided Input]].

How to Use

  • Run the shortcut, type your query, and it opens the Wikipedia page in Safari (or a search if the exact page isn’t found).

2. Reverse Image Search

What It Does

Lets you pick or capture an image, then opens a reverse image search in your browser (Google Images, TinEye, etc.).

How to Build It

  • Open Shortcuts > tap +.
  • Add Action > “Select Photos” or “Take Photo.”
  • Add Action > “Encode Media” or “Base64 Encode” (optional, depending on approach).
  • Add Action > “Open URLs” with the service’s reverse image search format.
  • For Google: https://images.google.com/searchbyimage?image_url=[[EncodedImage]]
  • May need a third-party service or an upload step for actual reverse image searching, depending on how Google/TinEye handle it.

How to Use

  • Run the shortcut, select/take a photo, and your chosen site attempts a reverse image search.
  • Some advanced steps might be required for actual hosting/upload of the image.

3. Reader Mode Opener

What It Does

Opens a given URL directly in Safari’s Reader Mode (if supported), for distraction-free reading.

How to Build It

  • Open Shortcuts > +.
  • Add Action > Ask for Input (“Paste or enter article link”).
  • Add Action > Open URLs.
  • URL: applewebdata://reader?url=[Provided Input]
  • Note: Safari’s reader-mode URL scheme can vary and may not work on all sites.

How to Use

  • Enter the article link, the shortcut attempts to launch Reader Mode in Safari for a cleaner view.

4. Save Webpage as PDF

What It Does

Converts a webpage into a PDF and lets you save or share it.

How to Build It

  • Open Shortcuts > +.
  • Add Action > Ask for Input (“Enter webpage URL”).
  • Add Action > Get Contents of URL (using Provided Input).
  • Add Action > Make PDF.
  • Add Action > Save File/Share to store or distribute the PDF.

How to Use

  • Run the shortcut, paste a URL, and a PDF version is generated. Save or share as you wish.

5. Auto-Fill Login Shortcut

What It Does

Opens a login page and uses Safari’s AutoFill to fill in credentials (if saved in your Keychain).

How to Build It

  • Ensure Safari has your credentials saved (Settings > Passwords).
  • Open Shortcuts > +.
  • Add Action > Open URLs, enter the login page URL (e.g., https://example.com/login).
  • Safari typically auto-fills once the page loads, if Keychain has the site’s login.

How to Use

  • Run the shortcut, Safari opens the login page, and AutoFill completes your credentials. Just tap “Login.”

6. RSS Feed Reader

What It Does

Fetches an RSS feed and displays recent headlines in a quick list.

How to Build It

  • Open Shortcuts > +.
  • Add Action > Ask for Input (“Enter RSS Feed URL”) or hardcode one.
  • Add Action > Get Contents of URL (the feed link).
  • Add Action > Get Items from RSS Feed (some iOS versions have built-in parsing; or parse JSON/XML otherwise).
  • Add Action > Repeat with Each Item to display or handle each headline.

How to Use

  • Run the shortcut, see the latest headlines from that RSS feed, and optionally open any item link.

Viewing & Organizing These Shortcuts

  • Open the Shortcuts app, ensuring you’re in My Shortcuts.
  • Tap the … (three dots) on any shortcut to edit, rename, or tweak it.
  • Long-press a shortcut for quick actions like Rename, Share, or Delete.
  • Use Folders (tap the folder icon top-left) to group your shortcuts (e.g., “Web & Search”).