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Convert Text and Post to Threads shortcut

Use Apple Shortcuts to convert a Markdown-formatted text post into a Threads-compatible one, complete with auto-threaded image descriptions.

This shortcut receives text from the share sheet or clipboard (or as output from another shortcut), and converts the links in it from Markdown format into a style better suited for posting to Threads (or any other Markdown-unfriendly social network). For example, from [the HeyDingus Shortcuts Library](https://heydingus.net/shortcuts) to the HeyDingus Shortcuts Library (https://heydingus.net/shortcuts).

It also grabs any existing Alt Text from Markdown-formatted image references and replaces it in the Threads-formatted post three line breaks down from the post content. When pasted into Threads, this automatically puts the image descriptions into a threaded reply. (This is a stopgap measure to make the images you post more accessible until Threads adds native support for image descriptions.)

The shortcut includes affordances for correctly formatting multiple image descriptions and previewing the text before it’s copied, then it ends by running the ‘Open Threads App’ shortcut to automatically open Threads so you can paste in the copied text to a new post.

The origin and methodology of this shortcut are documented in this blog post.

Download the shortcut ↓

See It in Action

Required Apps & Shortcuts

Run This Shortcut

You can run this shortcut from its URL (such as from within a note, calendar event, or to-do item):

shortcuts://run-shortcut?name=Convert%20Text%20and%20Post%20to%20Threads

Latest Release Notes

Version 1.1 - Updated Jul 16, 2023 at 9:39 dPM

  • Enabled the shortcut to be run from the Services menu on macOS.
  • Accommodated for posts that contain a single URL by relocating that URL to the end of the body text so that it can be easily removed in Threads while keeping its nice link preview.
  • Download version 1.1
Version History

Version 1.0 - July 15, 2023 12:10am

  • Introducing ‘Convert Text and Post to Threads’ version 1.0. Enjoy! 🧵🥳
  • Download version 1.0

Thanks for checking out this shortcut! It’s part of the HeyDingus Shortcuts Library. If you’re sharing my shortcuts or modifying them (or see a bug or have a feature request), I’d love to hear from you — please give me a shout! And maybe consider a donation if you find this shortcut fun or useful. Thank you. ✌️