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Apple Shortcuts

BusyCal integrates with the Apple Shortcuts app, allowing you to automate calendar tasks and build custom workflows. You can find BusyCal's shortcut actions by opening the Shortcuts app, creating a new shortcut, and searching for "BusyCal".

Available Shortcut Actions​

BusyCal provides the following actions in the Shortcuts app:

ActionDescription
Create New EventCreate a new event using natural language input
Create New TaskLaunch BusyCal to create a new task
Change to DateNavigate to a specific date in BusyCal
Launch AppOpen BusyCal in a specific view (List, Day, Week, Month, or Tasks)
Show Agenda for TodayDisplay today's agenda without opening the app
Set BusyCal Focus FilterActivate a specific Calendar Set when a Focus mode is enabled

Create New Event​

The Create New Event action allows you to create events using natural language, similar to Quick Entry. This action runs in the background without opening the app.

How to Use​

  1. Open the Shortcuts app
  2. Tap + to create a new shortcut
  3. Search for "BusyCal" and select Create New Event
  4. In the Text Input field, enter your event description using natural language

Natural Language Examples​

The action understands phrases like:

  • Lunch with Sarah tomorrow at noon
  • Team meeting Thursday at 3pm for 1 hour
  • Doctor appointment June 15 at 9am /Personal
  • Call Mom at 5pm

To create a task instead of an event, prefix your text with a hyphen (-):

  • -Buy groceries
  • -Call dentist tomorrow
  • -!!Pay bills Friday (with medium priority)

See Natural Language for more details on the syntax.

Create New Task​

The Create New Task action opens BusyCal directly to the new task screen, ready for you to enter task details.

Change to Date​

The Change to Date action opens BusyCal and navigates to a specific date you specify. This is useful for quickly jumping to upcoming dates in your workflow.

How to Use​

  1. Add the Change to Date action to your shortcut
  2. Specify a date (you can use the Date picker or pass a date from another action)
  3. When run, BusyCal will open and scroll to that date

Launch App​

The Launch App action opens BusyCal in a specific calendar view.

Available Views​

  • List — Opens the List (agenda) view
  • Today — Opens the Day view
  • This Week — Opens the Week view
  • This Month — Opens the Month view
  • Tasks — Opens the Tasks view

Show Agenda for Today​

The Show Agenda for Today action displays your agenda for the current day directly in the Shortcuts app or widget, without needing to open BusyCal. This is useful for quick glances at your schedule.

Set BusyCal Focus Filter​

The Set BusyCal Focus Filter action integrates with Apple's Focus modes, allowing you to automatically switch to a specific Calendar Set when a Focus mode is activated.

How to Use​

  1. Open Settings > Focus
  2. Select or create a Focus mode (e.g., Work, Personal, Sleep)
  3. Scroll down and tap Add Filter
  4. Select BusyCal from the list of apps
  5. Choose the Calendar Set you want to activate when this Focus is enabled
  6. Tap Add

Example Use Cases​

  • Work Focus: Show only work-related calendars during business hours
  • Personal Focus: Hide work calendars during evenings and weekends
  • Do Not Disturb: Show only essential calendars

When the Focus mode is deactivated, BusyCal will revert to your previously selected Calendar Set.

tip

You can create Calendar Sets in BusyCal by going to the Calendar Set button in the toolbar and tapping Manage Sets. See Calendar Sets for more information.

Building Custom Shortcuts​

You can combine BusyCal actions with other apps and system actions to create powerful automations. Here are some ideas:

Morning Briefing​

Create a shortcut that:

  1. Shows today's agenda from BusyCal
  2. Reads out your first meeting
  3. Shows the weather forecast

Quick Event from Clipboard​

Create a shortcut that:

  1. Gets text from the clipboard
  2. Passes it to the Create New Event action
  3. Creates an event automatically

Weekly Review​

Create a shortcut that:

  1. Uses Change to Date to jump to next Monday
  2. Opens Week view to plan your upcoming week

Siri Integration​

All BusyCal shortcut actions can be triggered by voice using Siri. After creating a shortcut:

  1. Give your shortcut a memorable name (e.g., "Show my calendar")
  2. Say "Hey Siri, show my calendar" to run it

You can also add shortcuts directly to Calendar Sets for quick voice activation. See Calendar Sets — Siri Shortcuts for details.

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