Shortcuts x Shelpful: Ping your AI Buddy automatically

Written By Sharon P

We just made it possible to route messages and updates to your Shelpful AI Buddy using Apple Shortcuts.

If you’ve never played with the Shortcuts app before, think of them as little recipes with instructions for your iPhone: you say, tap or do something, and your phone does the rest.

You can run them manually with Siri, or automatically based on things like time of day, location, or even tapping your phone to an NFC sticker.

What’s the difference between a Shortcut and an Automation?

  • Shortcut (manual or Siri): A button or Siri phrase that you run yourself. Example: “Hey Siri, Capture Task.”

  • Automation (automatic): Runs on its own, based on a trigger. Example: Every night at 9pm, tell me a joke to convince me to floss.

  • NFC tag (optional): A little sticker you can tap with your phone to trigger a Shortcut. Great for anchoring habits in physical places (pill bottle, washer, nightstand).

Quick Start (2 minutes)

  1. Sign up for Shelpful – (if you haven’t already) 14-day free trial

  2. Download free Shortcuts App from Apple

  3. Add a Shortcut – Either use one of my shortcuts (BELOW) -or- or make your own: Tap → “Add Shortcut” → it shows up in your Shortcuts app.

  4. Make an Automation – In the Automation tab → choose a trigger (time, focus mode, NFC tag). [❤️ THIS IS THE CROWD FAVORITE!!]

🎤 Siri-Powered Shortcut Ideas You Can Try Today

Each link below opens on iPhone → tap to add → customize to your style.

1. “Hey Siri, Get Stuff Done”
Routing to-dos to Shelpful

  • You respond to Siri with what you need to do, e.g., “make kids’ dentist appts”

  • Prefill: I need to …

  • Shelpful will receive the full thing, Example: “I need to make kids’ dentist appts”


    👉 Add GET STUFF DONE Shortcut

2. “Hey Siri, Confetti.”
Make it fun (dopamine boost).

  • Prefill: 🎉 I completed something — throw me a little party or rev me up:

  • Shelpful will receive the full thing, Example: “ I took my meds.”

    👉 Add Confetti Log Shortcut

3. “Hey Siri, Lower the bar”
Needing to brainstorm on lowering the bar today

🔁 Automations You Can Try Today (beyond Siri)

1. Evening Wind Down (NFC / Bluetooth Trigger)

  • Trigger: Tap NFC tag near your tea kettle or connect to a designated bedroom Bluetooth speaker/device

  • Actions:
     • Send to Shelpful: “I’m starting my evening wind down routine. Check in 15 minutes to make sure I’m in my room.”
     • Play the 8D “brain flossing” playlist
     • Optional: dim lights, lock doors, run your “night” HomeKit scene

  • SET THIS UP:

2. Driving Check-In (CarPlay / Car Bluetooth Connection)

  • Trigger: When your iPhone connects to CarPlay or your car’s Bluetooth

  • Actions:
     • Send to Shelpful: “I’m driving, is there anything on my list I could do at the next stoplight? SAFELY!”
     • Optional to add in the same shortcut: set Driving Focus, adjust brightness, open navigation
     • Bonus: optionally send ETA to someone

  • SET THIS UP:

3. Medicine + Follow-Up Reminder (NFC Anchor)

  • Trigger: Tap NFC tag on your pill bottle or medicine container

  • Actions:
     • Send to Shelpful: “I took my [med name]. Please remind me in 4 hours for the next dose.”
     • (Optional) Prompt water intake, log notes, or open a health app

  • SET THIS UP:

    • 👉 Add Medicine Shortcut

    • THEN go to Automations tab, create new automation, pick your trigger (NFC Tag), scan it, and then choose ^ that shortcut!

Shortcut Reliability Tips

  • Use safe phrases that won’t trigger other apps like Messages

  • Avoid saying message, note, or call — Siri hijacks those.

  • Train your own phrase: open Shortcut → Add to Siri → record it.

  • If Siri mishears “Shelpful,” use “Open Shelpful” or a custom phrase.

  • For NFC automations, turn off “Ask Before Running” to keep it seamless.

FAQ

What if Siri isn’t understanding my request?
Apple has a back door to “train” Siri to understand your voice and the specific request — VOCAL SHORTCUTS https://support.apple.com/en-us/118275 — and this feature allows you to pick from your current shortcurts


Do I need NFC tags?
Nope. They’re optional and you need them only if you want to use them as a Trigger.

What exactly gets sent to Shelpful?
Only the message that you have either prefilled or that you say/input in the moment.

Can I change the thing I say to Siri to trigger it? Can I edit the prefilled text?
Yes — just edit the Shortcut. Make it your own. Experiment!

Why does Siri sometimes open Messages?
Because Apple reserves certain words for their own apps, so if you are titling your Shortcut with words like “Send” or “Message” — you may need to rename the shortcut to not confuse Siri.

👉 Try one Shortcut today. The smaller the start, the easier it sticks.

Sharon P
Next

Shelpful Launches ADHD-Friendly iOS App for Habits and Tasks