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Use ChatGPT to Build a Custom Mac Shortcut System

In this guide, you will learn how to use ChatGPT Work to set up time-saving keyboard shortcuts and automations for you on your Mac.

beginner 5 steps

Introduction

In this guide, you will learn how to use ChatGPT Work to set up time-saving keyboard shortcuts and automations for you on your Mac. Don’t worry, you don’t need to install anything to get started.

Step-by-step 5 steps

Instructions

  1. Step 1 of 5

    Build Your Shortcut Plan With ChatGPT

    Open the ChatGPT desktop app, start a new chat, and switch to Work. Then give it a prompt based on your real workflow:

    Prompt 
    Based on what you know about me and my workflow, suggest 10 time-saving hotkeys we can set up in Apple Shortcuts.

I’m interested in opening specific apps and profiles based on what I need them for or what mode of work I’m going into.

    Tell it the apps you use most, the browser profiles you need, and the work modes you go into. For example, a recording mode could open your microphone software, recording software, camera software, and notes. An analytics mode could open your regular dashboards with one keystroke.

    If you have URLs you check every week, paste those in too. That gives ChatGPT enough to recommend shortcuts for the apps, URLs, profiles, and work modes you actually use.

    ChatGPT shortcut plan
    ChatGPT shortcut plan
    Pro tip: ChatGPT Work can set up shortcuts that open tabs in specific Safari or Chrome profiles, so you can jump straight into the right account.
  2. Step 2 of 5

    Choose Your Shortcuts

    Start with the shortcuts that will save you the most time, then add more once the first set is working.

    Say:

    Prompt 
    Keep the highest-frequency shortcuts and avoid macOS or app conflicts.
    Pro tip: On most Mac keyboards, Control + Option is a great choice for custom shortcuts because it is rarely used by system or app hotkeys. You are less likely to overwrite an existing command.

    Focus on the apps, URLs, profiles, and modes that cost you a few seconds over and over again. The cheat sheet handles recall while you add more later.

  3. Step 3 of 5

    Set Up ChatGPT Work

    Before you do anything, make sure Computer Use is on. Go to Settings > Computer Use, then toggle Any App on.

    Go back to the approved list and say:

    Prompt 
    Set these up in Apple Shortcuts. Do not change anything outside this list. Test each shortcut.

    Only approve the shortcut list you actually reviewed, and grant the permissions the setup needs. You are asking it to make the shortcuts you approved, not to rearrange the rest of your computer.

  4. Step 4 of 5

    Build the Shortcuts

    Ask ChatGPT Work to build the approved shortcuts in Apple Shortcuts. In our test, we started with the work modes, then tested them with keystrokes.

    Open All Shortcuts to see the system ChatGPT just made.

    Shortcuts library
    Shortcuts library

    Open Apple Shortcuts when it finishes and press play on each shortcut to test it. Use Quick Actions to bind or change its keyboard shortcut.

    Open any tile to inspect the actions behind it.

    Shortcut setup
    Shortcut setup

    Test each shortcut from another app. The result should be simple: press the key and land in the right app, browser profile, or work mode. If one lands somewhere unexpected, fix that shortcut before moving on.

  5. Step 5 of 5

    Make Your One-Page Cheat Sheet

    Once the shortcuts work, ask ChatGPT for the cheat sheet:

    Prompt 
    Write me a one-page cheat sheet of all the shortcuts you set up, where they live, and what’s left to do.

    Save the PDF somewhere easy to find. It is your quick reference while the key combinations become familiar, and it keeps any unfinished setup separate from the shortcuts that are already working.

You're done

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Overview Back to the steps

Background and context

Who This Is Useful For

  • Anyone who opens the same apps all day and is tired of using Spotlight to hunt for them each time.
  • People who work in distinct modes like recording, analytics, or writing and want one key to open the right setup.
  • Mac users with multiple browser accounts who want a faster way into the right Safari or Chrome profile.

What You Will Build

Shortcut cheat sheet
Shortcut cheat sheet

This is the one-page reference you’ll end with.

You will build a personal shortcut system in Apple Shortcuts, plus a one-page reference that tells you what every key does and where it lives.

The finished setup can jump you into the apps, browser profiles, and work modes you use most, without opening Spotlight or hunting through browser tabs.

What You Need To Get Started

  • A Macbook running macOS Monterey (version 12) or later.
  • The ChatGPT desktop app with access to "Work" mode.

Going Further

If you want to go further, ask ChatGPT Work for the top 10 time-saving automations it would set up for you. It can set them up in Automator and pull them into Shortcuts. It’ll just do it.