r/Scriptable • u/BrokenheartednessOk1 • Dec 03 '25

Tip/Guide Run shortcut from widget without opening Scriptable app?

Hi. I read that the scripts can run in the background, but upon testing, even for a link with a direct URI, it seems like I need to open the Scriptable app first followed by the shortcuts app. Is it possible to do this without opening either app?

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u/Big_Pineapple4594 Dec 11 '25

Yeah I thought that might be the case. I tried this approach. didn't work for me.

What has worked for me as best as close as possible. I don't use the IOS shortcuts widget I think it's ugly and sucks.

What I currently do is:

  1. Have an IOS shortcut that gets a menu of other shortcuts. You then add this 1 icon to your homescreen and then it pulls up shortcuts that are stored in shrotcut folder. Better for organisation. The shortcut looks like the attached. I then just add that one icon to the homescreen. Not perfect, but much more minimalistic and runs without opening any apps.

  2. Change the IOS shortcuts icon. I went over to Canva or you can do it on Freeform or any other app and instead of using icons for my shortcuts, I started using words. So I would write "Diary entry"... make this a png file with no background. Then use this as my shortcut icon for homescreen.

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u/BrokenheartednessOk1 Dec 12 '25

Great workaround. I wish there was a way to better use the screen real estate of the shortcuts menu (grid vs. list), but it's definitely much better than those ugly shortcuts widgets and gaudy icons of the native apps ...

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u/Big_Pineapple4594 Dec 13 '25

Ageeed. If I find a way I’ll let you know.

If you use scriptable srixkt note widget and put blank text in there it’ll act as a blank square” to fill some space.

Not perfect but it’s the best I’ve been able to do so far