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Set up the TapKit Clipboard shortcut to enable the "shortcut" typing method, which provides faster text input than simulating keystrokes.

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Overview

TapKit’s typing API supports a "shortcut" method that uses an iOS Shortcut to paste text from the clipboard. This is faster than the default "keys" method, which simulates individual keystrokes. To use this method, you need to install the TapKit Clipboard shortcut on your iPhone.

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Requirements

  • iPhone with TapKit configured
  • Signed into your TapKit account

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Setup Steps

1

Go to the Shortcut Setup Page

Navigate to tapkit.ai/shortcut in your browser. You must be logged into your TapKit account.
2

Copy Your Shortcut Key

You’ll see your Shortcut Key displayed on the page. This is a unique identifier for your account—similar to an API key, but specifically for shortcuts.Click the Copy button to copy your shortcut key to your clipboard. You’ll need to paste this during the shortcut setup.
3

Select Your Phone

The page will show the phone that the shortcut will be configured for. By default, it selects the most recently created phone.If you have multiple phones, click to select the correct one before proceeding.
4

Add the Shortcut

Click the Add Shortcut button. This will open the iOS Shortcuts app with the TapKit Clipboard shortcut ready to install.
5

Paste Your Shortcut Key

During the shortcut setup, you’ll be prompted to enter your shortcut key. Paste the key you copied in Step 2.
6

Complete Installation

Finish adding the shortcut to your iPhone. It will now appear in your Shortcuts app.
TapKit shortcut setup pageiOS prompt to add shortcutEnter shortcut key during setup

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Shortcut Ordering

The TapKit Clipboard shortcut must be the first shortcut in your Shortcuts app for the automation to work correctly.
If you have other shortcuts installed, you’ll need to reorder them so TapKit Clipboard appears first:
  1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
  2. Tap Edit in the top corner
  3. Drag the TapKit Clipboard shortcut to the first position
  4. Tap Done
If you add new shortcuts later, remember to check that TapKit Clipboard is still in the first position. Newly created shortcuts may change the ordering.

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Usage

Once the shortcut is installed, you can use the "shortcut" method for typing: 
phone.type_text("Hello world", method="shortcut")
Or via the API: 
curl -X POST https://api.tapkit.ai/v1/phones/{phone_id}/type \
  -H "X-API-Key: TK_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"text": "Hello world", "method": "shortcut"}'

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Troubleshooting

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Shortcut not working

Verify that:
  • The TapKit Clipboard shortcut is in the first position in your Shortcuts app
  • You entered the correct shortcut key during setup
  • You selected the correct phone on the setup page

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Wrong phone selected

If you’re seeing errors about the phone not being found, you may have installed the shortcut for a different phone. Visit tapkit.ai/shortcut, select the correct phone, and reinstall the shortcut.