List all available Apple Shortcuts, optionally filtered by folder. Use this tool to discover what shortcuts are available on this Mac before running one. Args: - folder_name (string, optional): Filter to a specific folder. Use
AI agents call apple_shortcuts_list to retrieve information from Apple Shortcuts without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a pure read operation that enumerates shortcuts on the system. It has no capability to execute, modify, or delete shortcuts — it only returns information. The blast radius is minimal (information disclosure about available automation) and the operation is non-destructive and reversible.
From the tool's definition Tool description states "List all available Apple Shortcuts" and "discover what shortcuts are available" — these are query/discovery operations with no side effects. The tool retrieves metadata about existing shortcuts without modifying or executing them.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access apple_shortcuts_list gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Apple Shortcuts, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for apple_shortcuts_list:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"apple_shortcuts_list": {}
}
} apple_shortcuts_list is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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List all available Apple Shortcuts, optionally filtered by folder. Use this tool to discover what shortcuts are available on this Mac before running one. Args: - folder_name (string, optional): Filter to a specific folder. Use. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Apple Shortcuts MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Apple Shortcuts MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for apple_shortcuts_list: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Apple Shortcuts. Nothing to install.
apple_shortcuts_list is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the apple_shortcuts_list rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for apple_shortcuts_list. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
apple_shortcuts_list is provided by the Apple Shortcuts MCP server (@mindstone/mcp-server-apple-shortcuts). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Apple Shortcuts, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
423 Apple Shortcuts tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.