Available in Little Tagger 2.1.0
Use Little Tagger with Apple Shortcuts
Apply tags, saved presets, or workflows to original files from the Shortcuts app.
Last updated: 2026-09-29
Quick answer
Use Little Tagger’s actions in Apple Shortcuts to apply tags, use a saved preset, or run a workflow on original files you supply. Enable Shortcuts access in Little Tagger’s General settings, then choose the action and connect its file input.
Requirements and setup
- Little Tagger 2.1.0 or later.
- A supported Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 15 or later.
- Access to Little Tagger’s tagging features through your trial or purchase.
- Original files that Little Tagger can access. See Set up folder and volume access.
- In Little Tagger, open Settings and choose General.
- Turn on Allow Shortcuts to Apply Tags, Presets, and Workflows.
- Open the Shortcuts app and search the action library for Little Tagger.
Available actions
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Apply Existing Tags | Adds selected saved tags while preserving other tags. |
| Apply New Tags | Creates and adds tags using supplied names. |
| Replace Tags | Replaces existing file tags with the selected tags. |
| Remove Selected Tags | Removes selected tags while preserving others. |
| Remove All Tags | Removes all Finder tags from supplied files. |
| Apply Preset | Applies a saved preset using its saved processing settings. |
| Run Workflow | Runs saved presets in their defined order. |
| Open Preset / Open Workflow | Opens and selects the saved item without performing its tagging action. |
Supply files
- Tagging actions need references to the original files, for example files passed from Finder as Shortcut Input.
- Text paths, generated content, and transferred temporary copies are not interchangeable with original files.
- The direct tag actions do not expand folders or aliases.
- Apply Preset and Run Workflow accept files and folders and use the saved processing options, such as Subfolders, Aliases, and filters.
- Filters can leave some inputs unchanged.
- Tagging actions return the original file references, so later shortcut steps can continue with the same files.
Actions run from Shortcuts do not need the workspace Play button and do not use the execution timing of copied links.
Choose saved tags, a preset, or a workflow
Click the action’s parameter in the shortcut editor to choose saved tags, a preset, or a workflow. The items must already exist in Little Tagger.
For Apply Preset, choose the saved preset and connect Files to Shortcut Input. In the example, Mark for Review is a preset created by the user, not a built-in preset.
For the complete Finder Quick Action recipe, see the Little Tagger and Apple Shortcuts guide.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| The action reports it is disabled | Turn on Allow Shortcuts to Apply Tags, Presets, and Workflows in Settings > General. |
| Nothing is processed | Check that the action receives files. Connect Files to Shortcut Input and run the shortcut on files selected in Finder. |
| A file access error appears | Pass original files, not text paths or copies. Make sure the location is approved in folder access. |
| A saved item cannot be found | The preset, workflow, or tag may have been deleted or renamed. Choose it again in the action. |
| Access is unavailable | Check your trial or purchase. See Start or end your free trial. |
| Another operation is running | Wait for the current operation in Little Tagger to finish, then run the shortcut again. |
See also A preset or workflow is not running.