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What are PWA app shortcuts?
Short answer
App shortcuts are quick-action shortcuts that appear when a user long-presses (mobile) or right-clicks (desktop) an installed PWA’s icon — similar to native app long-press menus. They are declared in the manifest’s "shortcuts" array, each with a name, url and optional icon, letting users jump straight to a specific feature like "New message" or "Search".
By InstantPWA engineering·Reviewed July 25, 2026
How to declare them
Add a shortcuts array to manifest.webmanifest, each entry with name, short_name, url and icons — up to about four shortcuts are typically shown.
Support
Supported on Chromium (Android long-press, Windows/macOS right-click). Not supported on iOS Safari.
Use case
Common for productivity and messaging PWAs where a frequent action (compose, search, new task) benefits from a one-tap shortcut.
Sources
Related
What is a Web App Manifest?
A Web App Manifest is a JSON file — usually manifest.webmanifest — that declares your app’s name, icons, start URL, theme colour and display mode. Browsers read it to decide whether to offer the install prompt and what icon and name to show on the home screen.
What is a PWA?
A PWA (Progressive Web App) is a regular website that meets three technical criteria — HTTPS, a Web App Manifest and a service worker — so browsers let visitors install it on their home screen. Once installed, it launches like a native app, works offline and can send push notifications.
What are the criteria for "Add to Home Screen" to appear?
Chromium browsers offer "Add to Home Screen" once a site is served over HTTPS, links a manifest with at least a name, a 192px and 512px icon, a start_url and a standalone/fullscreen/minimal-ui display mode, and has registered a service worker with a fetch event handler. Some engagement (visiting the site more than once, with time between visits) is also typically required before the automatic prompt fires.
How does a PWA splash screen work?
On Android, Chromium automatically generates a splash screen for an installed PWA using the manifest’s name, background_color, theme_color and the largest available icon — you do not draw it manually. It appears briefly while the app’s first paint loads after the user taps the icon. iOS Safari does not generate one automatically and requires custom <link rel="apple-touch-startup-image"> tags per device size.
How do you debug a service worker?
Open Chrome DevTools → Application tab → Service Workers panel. It shows the registered worker’s status (activated, waiting, redundant), lets you check "Update on reload" to force a fresh install every load, simulate offline mode, and unregister a stuck worker. Console logs from inside the worker appear in the main console when you select the worker’s context from the dropdown.