KeyRoutines

Apple Shortcuts for Windows: build routines with KeyRoutines

Apple's Shortcuts app only runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and other Apple devices, and there's no Windows version. KeyRoutines fills a similar role on a Windows PC: you chain steps into routines and run them yourself or automatically when an app opens, Wi-Fi changes, a device connects or a time comes. It's a desktop app, so there's no Siri, no phone and no location-based automation.

Apple Shortcuts → KeyRoutines

In Apple ShortcutsIn KeyRoutines
A shortcutA routine: a list of steps you run with one click, hotkey or trigger.Run manuallyHotkey
Personal automations (time of day, Wi-Fi, app opened, charger, battery level)Triggers: At a time, Wi-Fi network joined or left, App launched, Plugged in or unplugged, Battery low.At a timeWi-Fi network joined or leftApp launchedPlugged in or unpluggedBattery low
Bluetooth device automationDevice connected and Audio device changed, for example to switch to your headset when it connects.Device connectedAudio device changedSet default audio device
Focus modesQuiet mode turns Windows notifications down; Modes (Pro) change several settings at once and put them back when turned off.Quiet modeTurn mode onTurn mode off
Ask for Input, Choose from Menu, Show AlertAsk for input, Choose from a list, Ask Yes or No and Ask with buttons.Ask for inputChoose from a listAsk Yes or NoAsk with buttons
Show Notification and Speak TextShow notification, Show banner and Speak text.Show notificationShow bannerSpeak text
Magic variablesEach step's outputs appear as chips you drop into later steps; Set variable and Remember for your own values.Set variableRemember
If, Repeat and Repeat with EachIf, Switch and Repeat containers, with conditions such as Compare values and Time and day.Compare valuesTime and day
Text actions (Replace, Split, Change Case, Match Text)Replace text, Split text, Change case and Find with a pattern.Replace textSplit textChange caseFind with a pattern
Get Contents of URLHTTP request (Pro), with Read JSON value to pick out the part you need.HTTP requestRead JSON value
Open App, Open URLs, Set Volume, Set AppearanceOpen app, Open URLs, Set volume, Dark or light mode.Open appOpen URLsSet volumeDark or light mode

What's different

  • Shortcuts is built into Apple's systems and works with Siri, widgets and the share sheet. KeyRoutines has no voice control and no phone app.
  • Shortcuts can automate by location (arrive or leave a place); KeyRoutines has no location triggers. The closest is Wi-Fi network joined or left.
  • Apps on Apple devices add their own actions to Shortcuts. KeyRoutines has a fixed set of built-in blocks plus OBS, Discord, Elgato and Wallpaper Engine integrations; other apps are reached through keys, files or, in Pro, HTTP and scripts.
  • Shortcuts syncs through iCloud. KeyRoutines keeps routines on your PC; you move them with export and import.
  • Shortcuts is free on Apple devices. KeyRoutines is free too, with an optional one-time Pro upgrade for things like Modes, scripts and HTTP.

Moving over

  1. 1

    Pick the shortcuts that make sense on a PC

    Morning setup, focus time, a meeting kit or tidying downloads translate well. Phone-only ones like location or NFC don't.

  2. 2

    Turn automations into triggers

    For each personal automation, create a routine and add the matching trigger: At a time, Wi-Fi network joined, App launched, Plugged in or Battery low.

  3. 3

    Add the steps

    Search the block palette in plain words, like "volume", "dark mode" or "open app". Outputs of earlier steps show up as chips you can drop into fields.

  4. 4

    Ask instead of guessing

    Where a shortcut asked you to pick from a menu, use Choose from a list or Ask with buttons, and branch on the answer with If.

Questions

Can I run Apple Shortcuts on Windows?
No. Shortcuts only runs on Apple's operating systems, and your shortcuts can't be opened on a Windows PC.
Can KeyRoutines import my shortcuts?
No. You rebuild them as routines. Most desktop-style shortcuts map to a few KeyRoutines steps.
Can my iPhone start a routine on my PC?
Not directly. KeyRoutines' webhook trigger (Pro) only listens on the PC itself, so a phone can't call it without something on the PC passing the request on.
Is there something like Focus modes?
Quiet mode switches Windows notifications down from a routine. Modes in Pro go further: one routine turns on a set of changes and turning the mode off puts everything back.

Apple and Shortcuts are trademarks of Apple Inc.; KeyRoutines is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple.

Coming from somewhere else?

Try KeyRoutines instead of Apple Shortcuts

Free from the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 and 10. Pro is a one-time upgrade.

Get KeyRoutines freeFree vs Pro