Creating a shortcut on your Mac means setting up a quick way to open a file, folder, or process without hunting through Finder or your Applications folder. The simplest method is to drag an item to your Desktop or Dock. For more control — like launching an app with a keyboard combination or automating a task — you can use the Shortcuts app (built into macOS Monterey and newer) or create an alias that points to the original file.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest shortcut is dragging an process, file, or folder directly to your Desktop or Dock.
  • An alias is a pointer to the original file that takes up almost no space and updates automatically if the original moves.
  • The Shortcuts app lets you automate tasks and assign keyboard combinations to launch them, but requires macOS Monterey or newer.
  • Keyboard shortcuts for built-in Mac actions (like taking a screenshot) are set in System Settings under Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.

Dragging to Desktop or Dock — the quickest method

Open Finder and locate the process or file you want to access quickly. Click and hold on it, then drag it to your Desktop or to the Dock (the bar at the bottom of your screen). Release the mouse. On your Mac, dragging to the Dock creates an alias automatically — the original file stays where it was, and the Dock shows a shortcut to it.

Dragging to Desktop works the same way. The shortcut appears on your Desktop when ready. This method works for applications, documents, folders, and websites. If you drag a website from your browser's address bar to the Desktop, macOS creates a web shortcut you can click to open that page.

The advantage of this approach is speed — no menus, no settings. The disadvantage is that your Desktop or Dock can get crowded if you create many shortcuts this way.

Creating an alias for files and folders

An alias is a small file that points to another file or folder. When you open the alias, your Mac opens the original. If you move or rename the original, the alias still finds it. Aliases take up almost no storage space and are useful for accessing files buried in nested folders.

To create an alias, open Finder and locate the file or folder. Right-click it and select "Make Alias" from the menu. A new file appears with the same name plus the word "alias" — for example, "Budget Spreadsheet alias". You can rename it to remove the word "alias" if you prefer. Move this alias file anywhere: your Desktop, a folder, or your Documents.

You can also create an alias using the keyboard. Select the file, press Command+L, and an alias appears in the same folder. Then drag it to wherever you want it.

Using the Shortcuts app for automation and keyboard commands

The Shortcuts app (available in macOS Monterey 12.0 and newer) lets you create shortcuts that do more than just open a file — they can run multiple actions in sequence, accept input, or launch when you press a specific key combination. Open the Shortcuts app from your Applications folder or Launchpad.

Click the plus icon to create a new shortcut. You'll see a list of actions you can add: open an app, send an email, get the current date, resize an image, or dozens of other tasks. Drag actions into the editor to build your shortcut. For example, you could create a shortcut that opens your email app, creates a new message, and fills in a recipient's address — all with one click or keyboard press.

To assign a keyboard combination, click the three dots at the top right of your shortcut, select "Add to Siri", and follow the prompts. You can then trigger the shortcut by pressing the keys you assigned or by saying the phrase to Siri.

Setting keyboard shortcuts for Mac system actions

macOS has built-in keyboard shortcuts for common actions like taking a screenshot (Command+Shift+3), opening Spotlight search (Command+Space), or switching between open windows (Command+Tab). You can change these or create new ones for actions that don't have a default shortcut.

Open System Settings, then go to Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. On the left, select the category you want to customize — App Shortcuts, Screenshots, Spotlight, or others. Click the plus icon to add a new shortcut. Type the exact name of the action as it appears in the menu (for example, "Take Screenshot" or "New Message"), then press the key combination you want to use.

Custom shortcuts you create this way work in the app you select them for, or system-wide if you choose "All Applications". If you assign a combination that macOS already uses, the new one overrides it — but you can always change it back.

Removing or organizing shortcuts you no longer need

To delete a shortcut from your Desktop, right-click it and select "Move to Trash". To remove one from the Dock, right-click it and select "Remove from Dock" — this does not delete the original file, only the shortcut.

If you created an alias and want to delete it, right-click the alias file and select "Move to Trash". Again, the original file remains untouched. You can tell an alias from the original by the small arrow icon in the corner of the alias's icon.

To remove a keyboard shortcut you created, go back to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts, find the shortcut in the list, select it, and click the minus icon. To remove a shortcut from the Shortcuts app, open the app, right-click the shortcut, and select "Delete".

Troubleshooting shortcuts that don't work

If a shortcut on your Desktop or in the Dock stops working, the original file may have been moved or deleted. Right-click the shortcut and select "Get Info" to see where it's pointing. If the original is gone, delete the shortcut and create a new one.

If a keyboard shortcut you created isn't working, check that you typed the action name exactly as it appears in the menu — capitalization and spelling matter. Also verify that no other app or system setting is using the same key combination. You can search for conflicting shortcuts by going to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts and scanning through each category.

If a Shortcuts app automation isn't running, open the shortcut and click "Run" (the play icon) to test it. The app will show you where it stops or what error occurs. Common issues include permissions (the shortcut may need access to your files or location) or a step that references an app you don't have installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a shortcut and an alias?

A shortcut usually means any quick way to access something — dragging to the Dock, a keyboard combination, or a Shortcuts app automation. An alias is a specific type of file that points to another file. All aliases are shortcuts, but not all shortcuts are aliases.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for any process?

Yes, through System Settings. Go to Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts, click the plus icon, choose the app, type the exact menu item name, and assign your key combination. This works for any menu command in any app.

Will an alias still work if I move the original file?

Yes. macOS tracks the original file even if you move it to a different folder or rename it. The alias will still open it. The only exception is if you delete the original entirely — then the alias breaks.

Do I need the Shortcuts app to create keyboard shortcuts?

No. For straightforward keyboard shortcuts to open apps or menu commands, use System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. The Shortcuts app is for more complex automations that combine multiple actions.

Can I share a shortcut I created with another Mac user?

Yes, if you used the Shortcuts app. Right-click the shortcut, select "Share", and choose how you want to send it — email, AirDrop, or a file. The other person can open it in their Shortcuts app. Aliases and keyboard shortcuts are tied to your Mac and can't be easily transferred.