Action Relay

Action Relay is an MCP server for macOS that automatically discovers and exposes application intents as tools for AI assistants. It parses the metadata embedded in macOS app bundles to find available actions, then generates MCP tool schemas without requiring pre-built shortcuts or per-app code. Users can point it at any app supporting App Intents—like Notes or UTM—and immediately gain access to dozens of controllable actions.

The server works by constructing workflows in memory and executing them through BackgroundShortcutRunner, the same XPC service that powers Shortcuts.app. The maker states the reverse engineering and development were completed entirely with Claude Code. This is a proof of concept demonstrating how AI assistants could integrate with macOS automation capabilities.