Hello, Productivity Friends!

My name is Carlo and I'm the author of several Shortcuts-related macOS & iOS apps, such as Actions for Obsidian, Browser Actions, and BarCuts. You're receiving this email because you signed up for updates about the ActionsDotWork apps on my website some time ago.

-

TL;DR: New update to my contextual Shortcuts workflow launcher BarCuts which brings scripting support, including Alfred and Raycast extensions.

Also, a personal request for help (at the end).

-

BarCuts 2025.2: The “Connectivity” release

The 2025.2 update introduces scripting support that integrates with the new BarCuts Companion for Alfred and the BarCuts Companion for Raycast – which allow you to access and run your BarCuts-tagged Shortcuts workflows directly from your favourite launcher!

There’s a new “Get Workflows” Shortcuts action which returns all tagged, currently active, or always-available workflows. There’s a new embedded command-line tool for scripting that returns a JSON structure containing all active workflows, global workflows, and info on the active app. And a URL scheme to get the same data.

Plus lots of actual documentation!

Wait, what’s BarCuts again?

ICYMI, BarCuts is my youngest macOS app, it adds context to your workflows, and only shows those that are relevant for the currently active app. I call it a ”surprisingly useful macOS Shortcuts launcher” because that’s what it is.

Here’s a short video explaining it – watch the first 55 seconds to see what it does.

-

You’ll find more details on BarCuts’ product page. I’d be delighted if you would give it a go! I think you’ll like it. 🤞🏼

-

A personal request for help

I’d love to say that BarCuts and Browser Actions have been smashing successes for this indie dev … but that’d be a lie. To be honest, I’m struggling to get the word out. I did my homework, read up on best practices on how to approach the media as an app maker, gathered a sensible list of relevant websites and people to contact – but all those attempts have been met with silence. 🫤

Building apps is comparatively easy, yet getting them noticed is boss-level hard. Which, frankly, is dispiriting AF.

So, here’s my plea: I clearly lack the connections and/or skills here. If you could connect me with tech journalists or content creators who are interested in this kind of thing, or if you know who to contact about my apps and/or how to do it, please get it in touch!

(Also, just forwarding this newsletter to others who might be interested in what I do, that’d be mighty nice of you, too.)

-

And that’s it for today. Thanks for reading!

If you have questions or ideas for actions or tutorial videos, or have written or recorded something about my apps, please email me, say Hi on Mastodon or Bluesky, or post on the ActionsDotWork Forum! I'm always happy to chat with customers! 🤙🏼

Thanks again for your interest in my work, it means a lot to me 🙏🏼

Talk to you soon,
– Carlo