Self-host Shortcuts Manager

Summary

Maintain your Shortcuts on your own server through Dropbox. There is a tutorial and FAQ in the Shortcut built-in. It automatically creates an Update file named "Update Info" which you get your Update URL from and it creates a Release Notes file named "Changelog". You can publish Updates for those Shortcuts or even publish new Shortcuts to be stored on those files. The links to those files can be used perfectly with UpdateKit or any other Update Checker.

Setting Up

First and foremost you need to have a Dropbox account Make some shortcuts to self-host Download this Shortcut

Tutorial

Step 1: Open the Shortcut you are planning to self-host and tap Shortcuts in the Share sheet

Step 2: Press Share to the prompt to "Create iCloud Link"

Step 3: Search for and tap "Publish Updates"

Step 4: Enter a new Version number

Step 5: Enter the latest changes for that version

Step 6: Confirm to release the update

Step 7: You're all set ✅

Images

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7. Completed

Important Information

When you create the link to the file named "Update Info", make sure that at the end of the link where it says "dl=0" says instead "dl=1" and if it doesn't then change it manually.

FAQ

Where are the files kept?

A. All of the files are kept in your Dropbox account in the folder named Self-hosted Shortcuts. In that folder, there are many subfolders with the names of the Shortcuts that you are self-hosting. In each of those subfolders, there will be 2 files named "Update Info" and "Changelog".

Update Info will contain the dictionary required to check if your Shortcut is up to date and the link to that file will be your Update URL.

Changelog will contain all of the release notes, versions, and iCloud URL's for that Shortcut.

File Directory- Self-hosted Shortcuts/{Shortcut Name}/Update Info|Changelog

Why Dropbox?

A. I simply prefer Dropbox and it also has a built-in editing tool, so if by any chance you want to edit something in your document, you can edit it easily.

Disclaimers