productivity

Shortcut

useshortcut

by useshortcut

Automate sprint planning and task management with Shortcut—supports story management, epics, teams, and more for agile d

Integrates with Shortcut's project management platform to provide story management, epic and iteration operations, team workflows, objective tracking, and comprehensive search capabilities for development teams automating sprint planning and task management.

github stars

89

0 commentsdiscussion

Both formats append explainx.ai attribution and the canonical URL for this MCP server listing.

Remote hosted server availableOAuth authentication - no API tokens needed

best for

  • / Development teams using Shortcut for project management
  • / Engineering managers automating sprint planning
  • / Teams wanting to integrate Shortcut data into development workflows

capabilities

  • / Manage stories and epics in Shortcut
  • / Track iterations and sprint planning
  • / Search across projects and tasks
  • / Monitor team objectives and workflows
  • / Automate sprint planning tasks
  • / Access project management data via OAuth

what it does

Provides integration with Shortcut project management platform for managing stories, epics, iterations, and team workflows. Offers hosted remote connection with OAuth authentication for zero-setup use.

about

Shortcut is an official MCP server published by useshortcut that provides AI assistants with tools and capabilities via the Model Context Protocol. Automate sprint planning and task management with Shortcut—supports story management, epics, teams, and more for agile d It is categorized under productivity.

how to install

You can install Shortcut in your AI client of choice. Use the install panel on this page to get one-click setup for Cursor, Claude Desktop, VS Code, and other MCP-compatible clients. This server runs locally on your machine via the stdio transport.

license

MIT

Shortcut is released under the MIT license. This is a permissive open-source license, meaning you can freely use, modify, and distribute the software.

readme

@shortcut/mcp

<img height="125" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7c3d3b8e-6252-4790-81cd-6640cd46a2d6" alt="Shortcut's logo" align="right">

Version Monthly Downloads GitHub License PRs welcome! X

MCP Server for Shortcut users.

Links: Local Installations | Server Developers

Usage

Cursor

The fastest way to get started is to connect to Shortcut's hosted MCP server. No API token or local setup required — authentication is handled via OAuth.

  1. Open (or create) the mcp.json file (it should be in ~/.cursor/mcp.json or <project-root>/.cursor/mcp.json, but see Cursor docs for more details).
  2. Add the following details and save the file:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shortcut": {
      "url": "https://mcp.shortcut.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
  1. Restart Cursor. You will be prompted to authorize with your Shortcut account on first use.

VS Code

If all you need need the configuration for the mcp.json file use this. You will be prompted to authorize with your Shortcut account on first use.

{
  "servers": {
    "github-mcp": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.shortcut.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

For more detail on installing MCP services in VSCode see the official VS Code MCP docs for more information.

Claude Desktop

Download the package from this repo

Then, either double-click the icon to install or drag the package onto the client window. It should trigger the installation.

Other IDEs / Running Locally

If your IDE doesn't support HTTP-based MCP servers, or you'd prefer to run the server locally, see the Local Server Setup guide. This covers setup for Windsurf, Zed, Claude Code, and any IDE that supports stdio-based MCP servers.

Available Tools

Stories

ToolDescription
stories-get-by-idGet a single Shortcut story by ID
stories-get-historyGet the change history for a story
stories-searchFind Shortcut stories with filtering and search options
stories-get-branch-nameGet the recommended branch name (based on workspace settings) for a specific story
stories-createCreate a new Shortcut story
stories-updateUpdate an existing Shortcut story
stories-upload-fileUpload a file and link it to a story
stories-assign-current-userAssign the current user as the owner of a story
stories-unassign-current-userUnassign the current user as the owner of a story
stories-create-commentCreate a comment on a story
stories-create-subtaskAdd a new sub-task to a story
stories-add-subtaskAdd an existing story as a sub-task
stories-remove-subtaskRemove a sub-task from a story
stories-add-taskAdd a task to a story
stories-update-taskUpdate a task in a story
stories-add-relationAdd a story relationship (relates to, blocks, duplicates, etc.)
stories-add-external-linkAdd an external link to a Shortcut story
stories-remove-external-linkRemove an external link from a Shortcut story
stories-set-external-linksReplace all external links on a story with a new set of links
stories-get-by-external-linkFind all stories that contain a specific external link

Labels

ToolDescription
labels-listList all labels in the Shortcut workspace
labels-get-storiesGet all stories with a specific label
labels-createCreate a new label in Shortcut

Custom Fields

ToolDescription
custom-fields-listList all custom fields in the workspace with their possible values

Epics

ToolDescription
epics-get-by-idGet a Shortcut epic by ID
epics-searchFind Shortcut epics with filtering and search options
epics-createCreate a new Shortcut epic
epics-updateUpdate an existing Shortcut epic
epics-deleteDelete a Shortcut epic

Iterations

ToolDescription
iterations-get-storiesGet stories in a specific iteration by iteration ID
iterations-get-by-idGet a Shortcut iteration by ID
iterations-searchFind Shortcut iterations with filtering and search options
iterations-createCreate a new Shortcut iteration with start/end dates
iterations-updateUpdate an existing Shortcut iteration
iterations-deleteDelete a Shortcut iteration
iterations-get-activeGet active iterations for the current user based on team memberships
iterations-get-upcomingGet upcoming iterations for the current user based on team memberships

Objectives

ToolDescription
objectives-get-by-idGet a Shortcut objective by ID
objectives-searchFind Shortcut objectives with filtering and search options

Teams

ToolDescription
teams-get-by-idGet a Shortcut team by ID
teams-listList all Shortcut teams

Projects

ToolDescription
projects-listList all projects in the Shortcut workspace
projects-get-by-idGet a Shortcut project by public ID
projects-get-storiesGet all stories in a specific project

Workflows

ToolDescription
workflows-get-defaultGet the default workflow for a specific team or the workspace default
workflows-get-by-idGet a Shortcut workflow by ID
workflows-listList all Shortcut workflows

Users

ToolDescription
users-get-currentGet the current user information
users-get-current-teamsGet a list of teams where the current user is a member
users-listGet all workspace users

Documents

ToolDescription
documents-createCreate a new document in Shortcut with Markdown content
documents-updateUpdate content of an existing document by its ID
documents-listList all documents in Shortcut
documents-searchSearch for documents
documents-get-by-idRetrieve a specific document in markdown format by its ID

Limit tools

You can limit the tools available to the LLM by setting the SHORTCUT_TOOLS environment variable to a comma-separated list.

  • Tools can be limited by entity type by just adding the entity, eg stories or epics.
  • Individual tools can also be limitied by their full name, eg stories-get-by-id or epics-search.

By default, all tools are enabled.

Example (when running locally):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shortcut": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@shortcut/mcp@latest"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SHORTCUT_API_TOKEN": "<YOUR_SHORTCUT_API_TOKEN>",
        "SHORTCUT_TOOLS": "stories,epics,iterations-create"
      }
    }
  }
}

The following values are accepted in addition to the full tool names listed above under Available Tools:

  • users
  • stories
  • epics
  • iterations
  • labels
  • custom-fields
  • objectives
  • teams
  • projects
  • workflows
  • documents

Read-only mode

You can run the MCP server in read-only mode by setting the SHORTCUT_READONLY environment variable to true. This will disable all tools that modify data in Shortcut.

Example (when running locally):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shortcut": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@shortcut/mcp@latest"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SHORTCUT_API_TOKEN": "<YOUR_SHORTCUT_API_TOKEN>",
        "SHORTCUT_READONLY": "true"
      }
    }
  }
}

Issues and Troubleshooting

Before doing anything else, please make sure you are running the latest version!

If you run into problems using this MCP server, you have a couple of options:

OptionLink
Open an issueGitHub
Ask for helpSlack

FAQ

What is the Shortcut MCP server?
Shortcut is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server profile on explainx.ai. MCP lets AI hosts (e.g. Claude Desktop, Cursor) call tools and resources through a standard interface; this page summarizes categories, install hints, and community ratings.
How do MCP servers relate to agent skills?
Skills are reusable instruction packages (often SKILL.md); MCP servers expose live capabilities. Teams frequently combine both—skills for workflows, MCP for APIs and data. See explainx.ai/skills and explainx.ai/mcp-servers for parallel directories.
How are reviews shown for Shortcut?
This profile displays 67 aggregated ratings (sample rows for discoverability plus signed-in user reviews). Average score is about 4.5 out of 5—verify behavior in your own environment before production use.

Use Cases

Extended AI Capabilities

Add new capabilities to Claude beyond text generation

Example

Access external data sources, execute code, interact with tools and services

Transform Claude from chatbot to action-taking agent

Context Enhancement

Provide Claude with access to relevant context and data

Example

Load project documentation, access knowledge bases, query databases

Get more accurate, context-aware responses

Workflow Automation

Automate multi-step workflows combining AI and external tools

Example

Research → Summarize → Create document → Send notification

Complete complex tasks end-to-end without manual steps

Implementation Guide

Prerequisites

  • Claude Desktop 0.7.0+ or Cursor IDE with MCP support
  • Basic understanding of MCP architecture and capabilities
  • Access credentials for integrated services (if required)
  • Willingness to experiment and iterate on configuration

Time Estimate

15-60 minutes depending on server complexity

Installation Steps

  1. 1.Install MCP server: npm install -g [package-name] or via GitHub
  2. 2.Add server configuration to ~/.claude/mcp.json
  3. 3.Provide required credentials and configuration
  4. 4.Restart Claude Desktop to load new server
  5. 5.Test basic functionality with simple prompts
  6. 6.Explore capabilities and experiment with use cases
  7. 7.Document successful patterns for reuse

Troubleshooting

  • MCP server not loading: Check config syntax, verify installation
  • Connection errors: Check network, firewall, credentials
  • Feature not working: Read server docs, check required parameters
  • Performance issues: Monitor resource usage, check for network latency
  • Conflicts with other servers: Check port assignments, namespace collisions

Best Practices

✓ Do

  • +Read server documentation thoroughly before setup
  • +Start with simple use cases to validate functionality
  • +Test in non-production environment first
  • +Monitor resource usage and performance
  • +Keep servers updated for bug fixes and new features
  • +Document configuration for team members
  • +Use environment variables for sensitive configuration

✗ Don't

  • Don't grant overly permissive access to MCP servers
  • Don't skip reading security considerations in docs
  • Don't expose sensitive data without proper controls
  • Don't run untrusted MCP servers without code review
  • Don't ignore error messages—investigate root cause

💡 Pro Tips

  • Combine multiple MCP servers for powerful workflows
  • Create custom MCP servers for your specific needs
  • Share successful configurations with team
  • Use MCP inspector for debugging
  • Join MCP community for tips and troubleshooting

Technical Details

Architecture

Model Context Protocol standardizes how AI hosts (Claude, Cursor) communicate with external tools and data sources through server implementations.

Protocols

  • Model Context Protocol (MCP)
  • JSON-RPC 2.0
  • stdio or HTTP transport

Compatibility

  • Claude Desktop
  • Cursor IDE
  • Custom MCP clients

When to Use This

✓ Use When

Use when you need Claude to access external data, execute actions, or integrate with tools. Best for extending AI capabilities beyond conversation.

✗ Avoid When

Avoid when native integrations exist (use official APIs directly), for real-time critical systems, or when security/compliance requires zero external dependencies.

Integration

  • Tool composition: Chain multiple MCP tools in workflows
  • Context augmentation: Provide AI with relevant external data
  • Action delegation: Let AI execute tasks on external systems
  • Bidirectional sync: Keep AI context and external systems in sync

Discussion

Product Hunt–style comments (not star reviews)
  • No comments yet — start the thread.

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Ratings

4.567 reviews
  • Ganesh Mohane· Dec 28, 2024

    I recommend Shortcut for teams standardizing on MCP; the explainx.ai page compares cleanly with sibling servers.

  • Anika Li· Dec 12, 2024

    According to our notes, Shortcut benefits from clear Model Context Protocol framing — fewer ambiguous “AI plugin” claims.

  • Isabella Abbas· Dec 12, 2024

    Shortcut is a well-scoped MCP server in the explainx.ai directory — install snippets and categories matched our Claude Code setup.

  • Isabella Anderson· Dec 12, 2024

    Shortcut has been reliable for tool-calling workflows; the MCP profile page is a good permalink for internal docs.

  • Daniel Ndlovu· Dec 12, 2024

    Shortcut reduced integration guesswork — categories and install configs on the listing matched the upstream repo.

  • Sakshi Patil· Nov 19, 2024

    According to our notes, Shortcut benefits from clear Model Context Protocol framing — fewer ambiguous “AI plugin” claims.

  • Isabella Jackson· Nov 3, 2024

    I recommend Shortcut for teams standardizing on MCP; the explainx.ai page compares cleanly with sibling servers.

  • Isabella Thomas· Nov 3, 2024

    We wired Shortcut into a staging workspace; the listing’s GitHub and npm pointers saved time versus hunting across READMEs.

  • Anika Gill· Nov 3, 2024

    Shortcut reduced integration guesswork — categories and install configs on the listing matched the upstream repo.

  • Anika Ghosh· Nov 3, 2024

    Shortcut has been reliable for tool-calling workflows; the MCP profile page is a good permalink for internal docs.

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