What is the Shortcuts folder in your Mac's Library, and why is it 63 MB?
~/Library/Shortcuts holds your shortcuts and an index of every action your apps offer. 63 MB on our Mac, 61 MB of it the action index, not your shortcuts.
What is in ~/Library/Shortcuts?
| Item | Size here | What it is |
|---|---|---|
ToolEmbeddingDatabase | 40 MB | A searchable index of actions, so the system can find the right one from a description |
ToolKit | 21 MB | The catalogue of actions every installed app offers |
Shortcuts.sqlite and its -wal file | 1.5 MB | Your shortcuts |
ExternalTriggers | 332 KB | Automations that start a shortcut |
19 files, 63 MB. Every app that offers actions to Shortcuts, Siri or Spotlight adds entries to ToolKit, so the index grows with the number of apps you have, whether or not you use Shortcuts.
Is it safe to delete?
Do not delete the folder: Shortcuts.sqlite is your shortcuts, and they only come back if they sync through iCloud. The index folders rebuild, but they are in use by the system, and the gain is small. To keep a copy of your shortcuts, share each one as a file from the Shortcuts app.
Where are my shortcuts stored on a Mac?
In ~/Library/Shortcuts/Shortcuts.sqlite, and in iCloud if Sync is on in Shortcuts, Settings. Copying the database to another Mac is not a reliable way to move them; iCloud sync or shared files are.
Find what is left in one look
Free Mac measures ~/Library/Shortcuts and every other Library folder, including protected ones, and shows them to scale. Related: Application Support and what is safe to delete in Library.
Related: IdentityServices and the HomeKit folder.
Common questions
Where are Shortcuts stored on a Mac?
In ~/Library/Shortcuts/Shortcuts.sqlite, and in iCloud when sync is on.
Why is my Shortcuts folder so big?
Mostly ToolKit and ToolEmbeddingDatabase, indexes of the actions your apps offer. On our Mac they were 61 MB of 63 MB.
Can I delete ~/Library/Shortcuts?
No. It holds your shortcuts. The index folders inside rebuild, but the gain is small.