Submission Date

2025-08-21

Status

Open

Area

Shortcuts

Operating System Version

macOS 15.5

Type

Incorrect/Unexpected Behavior

Description

The shortcuts CLI tool automatically inserts a "Stop and Output" action when running shortcuts that don't have explicit output, modifying the user's shortcut permanently. This behavior is inconsistent with other execution methods and creates workflow disruption.

Current Behavior:

• Running shortcuts run "My Shortcut" automatically adds "Stop and Output" action to shortcuts without explicit output
• This modifies the original shortcut permanently
• The Shortcuts app menu bar execution does NOT exhibit this behavior

Steps to Reproduce:

• Add this shortcut: https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/92afdb8159ae4ce880cf7b2fd6068226
• Notice how it has a single action.
• Run this in the terminal: shortcuts run TEST1
• Notice how it now has two actions, the "Open App" and also "Stop and Output"

Requested Enhancement:

Add a --ignore-output flag that prevents automatic "Stop and Output" insertion, allowing shortcuts to run without modification.

This is useful when the thing executing the shortcut doesn't need any output.

Use Cases:

1. Menu Bar Apps: Third-party apps using the shortcuts CLI need to execute shortcuts without side effects
2. Automation Scripts: CI/CD pipelines and automated workflows shouldn't modify source shortcuts
3. System Administration: Running shortcuts for system tasks (toggling settings, launching apps) where output is irrelevant
4. Development/Testing: Developers testing shortcuts shouldn't have them modified during execution

Proposed Implementation:

shortcuts run "My Shortcut" --ignore-output

My personal use-case is number 1. I have the Short Run app (https://apps.apple.com/app/id6745427035) which allows running shortcuts and I want it to work like the built-in Shortcuts menu bar window, which does not force "Stop and Output" action.

Keywords

No response

Prerequisites

• The title follows the format FB<number>: <title>
• I will keep this issue updated with Apple's responses