BOLT → your iPhone

One-time setup: create these four shortcuts in Apple's Shortcuts app. Names must match exactly. This page is a setup guide, not an installer. BOLT cannot install shortcuts or grant permissions for you.

Open Shortcuts → + → rename the shortcut. Use Add Action / Search Actions for each step below. To insert Shortcut Input, press and hold an action's input field and choose Select Variable → Shortcut Input (wording varies by iOS). If prompted about input types, allow Text. Grant only the app permissions needed when first running.

1. BOLT Text

  1. Name the shortcut BOLT Text.
  2. Add Select Contact. Turn Select Multiple off. You will pick the recipient each time; BOLT shows the name you requested in its review panel.
  3. Add Send Message. Set the Message field to Shortcut Input (not the contact output). Set Recipients to the Contact variable from Select Contact.
  4. Expand Send Message's options and keep Show When Run ON. This opens a composer for review. Do not configure automatic sending.

Try: “Text Mark that I will be ten minutes late.” Tap OPEN SHORTCUT, select the correct Mark, review the message and tap Send yourself. Cancel the composer to avoid sending.

2. BOLT Note

  1. Name the shortcut BOLT Note.
  2. Add Create Note. Set its content to Shortcut Input. Choose the folder you want, such as Notes.
  3. If offered, enable Show Compose Sheet to review before saving.

Try: “Make a note: buy shrink wrap tape and gloves.” Tap OPEN SHORTCUT. Depending on the action's compose setting, Notes either displays the draft or saves it. Check Notes to confirm.

3. BOLT Calendar

This shortcut receives a small dictionary containing the event fields.

  1. Name the shortcut BOLT Calendar.
  2. Add Get Dictionary from Input, with Shortcut Input selected.
  3. Add Set Variable and name it Event. Set its value to the Dictionary output.
  4. Add Get Dictionary Value: get the value for key title in Event. Then Set Variable → EventTitle.
  5. Add Get Dictionary Value: key start in Event. Add Get Dates from Input using that value, then Set Variable → StartDate.
  6. Repeat for key end in Event → Get Dates from Input → Set Variable → EndDate.
  7. Get key location in Event → Set Variable EventLocation. Get key notes in Event → Set Variable EventNotes. Always select Event as the dictionary input, rather than the previous step's output.
  8. Add Add New Event. Set Title to EventTitle, Start Date to StartDate, and End Date to EndDate. Expand options, choose your calendar, and set Location and Notes to the corresponding variables. Enable Show Compose Sheet.

Try: “Add a calendar event called Boat inspection tomorrow at 10 AM until 11 AM.” Review the displayed date, time and calendar before adding. Dates use your phone's local timezone; travel or daylight-saving ambiguities need a manual check. If you omit the end time, BOLT proposes one hour and tells you.

4. BOLT Call

  1. Create a shortcut named exactly BOLT Call.
  2. Add Show Alert with the message “Choose the contact for: [Shortcut Input]”. Insert the Shortcut Input variable into the message. Keep the Cancel button enabled.
  3. Add Select Contact, with Select Multiple off.
  4. Add Get Details of Contacts, select Phone Numbers, and use the selected Contact as input.
  5. Add Choose from List, using the Phone Numbers output. Keep Select Multiple off. This lets you choose mobile, home, or another listed number. If the contact has no phone number, cancel and choose a different contact.
  6. Add Show Alert: “Call [Chosen Item]?” Insert the Chosen Item variable from Choose from List. Keep the Cancel button enabled. This is your final confirmation.
  7. Add the Phone app's Call action. Set its input to Chosen Item from Choose from List, not the alert output. This places a regular phone call after you confirm.

Say “Bolt,” wait for the greeting, then say “Call Mark.” Tap OPEN SHORTCUT, choose the right contact and number, and confirm. Cancel before the Call action to avoid dialing. This version calls saved contacts; use the Phone keypad for an unsaved number.

Your iPhone needs working phone service (or configured carrier Wi-Fi Calling). BOLT does not provide a calling plan, join the call, or control hang-up. Return to BOLT and tap the waveform to enable its microphone again after the call.

Live indicators

The clock, microphone waveform and meters use live data. The upper-right panel shows connection status and time; the battery display has been removed. ENABLE SENSORS requests location and compass access; unavailable readings stay blank. Location stays on the device. The radar grid and city artwork are decorative. SERVER measures a connection to this app; AI shows the outcome of your last chat request. The waveform measures microphone input, not BOLT’s synthesized voice.

Using BOLT

Open BOLT in landscape, tap the waveform and say “Bolt.” After the greeting, give your command. BOLT prepares a draft and shows a review panel. Tap OPEN SHORTCUT to continue. There is no charge for Apple Shortcuts; your usual AI and carrier costs still apply.

BOLT cannot read your contacts, messages, calendar or existing notes. Choose text recipients and call contacts yourself. Actions are never reported as completed just because a shortcut opened. Returning from another app leaves the mic off: tap the waveform again. Say “Terminate” or tap Cancel to dismiss an unlaunched action. Only one draft is prepared per request.

If you see “Shortcut not found,” check the exact name. If the input is blank, select Shortcut Input explicitly. If calendar parsing fails, check the Get Dates from Input steps. Action availability and labels vary with iOS. This build's parsing and handoff code has automated checks; end-to-end operation needs testing on your iPhone after creating the shortcuts.

Return to BOLT

Apple references: Run shortcuts with text input · Use dictionaries