How to toggle macOS dark mode with a Shortcut

Getting to grips with Apple’s latest scripting tool

Since Monterey, Apple has shipped its Shortcuts app with macOS. The app is a great way to extend the base capability of your OS, without needing to learn a programming language.

This short step-by-step example shows you how to create a menu bar icon to toggle between Light and Dark Mode. It replicates the behaviour of the System Settings toggle, but in a handy place that’s easy to find.

1. Open the Shortcuts app

When you start the Shortcuts app, you’ll see a window like this:

2. Create a new Shortcut

Click the + icon in the window menu. You’ll see a new window with a side panel containing Actions grouped by Categories and…