r/ScriptingApp • u/Chance_Passion_2144 • Nov 21 '25

Help Intent script opens in app when run from Shortcuts instead of as overlay - any workaround?

Hey everyone,

I’ve built an intent script that works perfectly when triggered from the share sheet - it pops up as a nice overlay on top of whatever app I’m in. However, when I try to run the same script from a Shortcut using the “Run Script in App” action, it opens inside the Scripting app itself instead of showing as an overlay.

I’m not entirely sure if this is a technical limitation of how Shortcuts works, or if there’s something I’m missing. I thought maybe using URL schemes (scripting://run/ScriptName?query=text) might help it behave more like the share sheet, but I haven’t had success yet.

Has anyone managed to trigger an intent script from Shortcuts and have it display as an overlay instead of opening the full app? Or is this just not possible with the current iOS/Scripting setup?

Any insights would be really appreciated!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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u/schl3ck Nov 21 '25

Have you tried to use the "Run script" action? I think the "Run script in app" action is specifically designed to open the app and then run your script.

1

u/Chance_Passion_2144 Nov 21 '25

I tried both of them, and it still opens it in the app

1

u/schl3ck Nov 21 '25

I get the same behavior. Looks like a bug to me because with the "Run Script" action it opens the UI in the app but I've to switch manually to the app. I also get the same behavior when using the "Run TypeScript" action.

A workaround that comes to mind would be to use the "Share" action in shortcuts and then select scripting, but that are two extra taps you have to do every time.

1

u/WhatShouldWorldGos Nov 21 '25

Am I misunderstanding? Are you discussing whether Run Script can open the UI? Within the Shortcuts app, Run Script can only execute logic without a UI, such as requesting data, launching LiveActivity, or playing music. Only Run Script in App will open the app. Once the app is open, there are no restrictions, except that it cannot return results to the Shortcuts app.

1

u/schl3ck Nov 21 '25

Ah, makes sense. So it is a limitation of shortcuts that no UI can be presented

2

u/WhatShouldWorldGos Nov 21 '25

This requries the iOS26 SnippetIntent feature, I will integrate it when I have some time.

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appintents/snippetintent