With the inclusion of the “Omni Automation Script” and “Omni Automation Plug-In” actions with each of Omni’s applications, “device-independent” application scripting merges with Apple’s updated Shortcuts automation frameworks in the iOS, iPadOS, and macOS operating systems.

Finally, users can create powerful automation tools that deliver the same abilities on all of their Apple devices — iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The “Circle of Automation” is complete!

 

Example: Change Tag Status to Match Device Focus

A simple but powerful example of integrating Omni Automation with Shortcuts. Changing the Focus setting on your iPad, iPhone, or Mac, changes the status of a corresponding OmniFocus tag!

Changing Focus on iOS/iPadOS

On iOS and iPadOS, Shortcuts provides “Personal Automation” triggers for running a specified shortcut when a timed event occurs, or even when the sytem Focus control is changed.

(⬇ see below ) Focus shortcuts added to the Automation settings in Shortcuts app.

(⬇ see below ) The shortcut settings triggered by turning-on Personal Focus:

Tag Status Active
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tag = flattenedTags.byName("Personal") || new Tag("Personal")
tag.status = Tag.Status.Active

(⬇ see below ) The shortcut settings triggered by turning-off Personal Focus:

Tag Status On Hold
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tag = flattenedTags.byName("Personal") || new Tag("Personal")
tag.status = Tag.Status.OnHold

* Shortcuts example inspired by Greg

Changing “Personal” Focus on macOS

While functionally similar to the previous shortcuts, these shortcuts for macOS are launched from the Shortcuts menu in the macOS menu bar.

Set Focus to “Personal” (DOWNLOAD SHORTCUT)

This two-action shortcut  1  sets the Focus setting to “Personal” and changes the status of the OmniFocus tag named “Personal” to Active.

 2  Change Focus action • This built-in action changes the system-wide Focus setting to: “Personal”

 3  Omni Automation Script action • The “Omni Automation Script” action for OmniFocus.

 4  Script Code • A simple two-line script changes the status of the tag named “Personal” to: “Active Status”

 5  Action Parameters • Selections of the “Pin in Menu Bar” setting with place the shortcut in the system-wide Shortcuts menu.

Tag Status Active
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tag = flattenedTags.byName("Personal") || new Tag("Personal")
tag.status = Tag.Status.Active

Turn “Personal” Focus Off (DOWNLOAD SHORTCUT)

This two-action shortcut  1  turns off “Personal” Focus setting and changes the status of the OmniFocus tag named “Personal” to: “On Hold”

 2  Change Focus action • This built-in action turns the “Personal” Focus setting off.

 3  Omni Automation Script action • The “Omni Automation Script” action for OmniFocus.

 4  Script Code • A simple two-line script changes the status of the tag named “Personal” to: “On Hold”

 5  Action Parameters • Selections of the “Pin in Menu Bar” setting with place the shortcut in the system-wide Shortcuts menu.

Tag Status On Hold
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tag = flattenedTags.byName("Personal") || new Tag("Personal")
tag.status = Tag.Status.OnHold