Abstract: A shortcut is created that groups and sequences actions to perform a task. A user may record actions both within an application and outside of an application to perform the task. For example, a user may record launching an application, accessing an item within the application, and performing one or more actions that involve the item. An Application Programming Interface (API) may be used by one or more applications to specify recordable actions that are associated with the application. For example, an application may specify that configuration settings for the application are not recordable while other user actions are recordable. After recording the actions for the task, a shortcut is created. The shortcut may be accessible from a home display of a mobile device (e.g. a start screen of a smart phone) and/or some other accessible location.