Feature request: Support iOS Shortcuts to launch and connect to specific host

[anohren]

I'd like to launch Kodi remote as part of iOS Shortcuts. While this can already be done, I have no control over which host will be connected to upon launch, making host-specific shortcuts quite disorienting. For instance, I might have one shortcut that turns on my TV and then launches Kodi remote with the intention to control an SBC connected to the TV, but the remote instead connects to some unrelated machine.

Edit: being able to navigate deeper into the UI would also be useful.

[wutschel]

@kambala-decapitator, sounds same or similar to #264. Could you look into this?

[kambala-decapitator]

For instance, I might have one shortcut that turns on my TV and then launches Kodi remote with the intention to control an SBC connected to the TV

TMU this is more about automation and not just the shortcuts (potentially also related to Siri Shortcuts), which may need extra changes. Let's keep this issue open.

[anohren]

sounds same or similar to #264

I saw that issue but determined that their use of the word "shortcuts" was strictly constrained to "menu options on long pressing app icon", so I decided to open a separate request for capital S Shortcuts support.

[wutschel]

@anohren, are you looking for what is described in #75? You then could create a Shortcut which opens a URL like "xbmcremote://192.168.1.2".

[anohren]

Thanks for the link. Yes, I just tried opening an app url with a shortcuts action and it works, so this would accomplish what I describe.

The only downside to that method would be that it's undiscoverable for the average Shortcuts user: I went as far as creating this issue and I'm not sure if it occurred even to me, and I'm someone who has called app URLs and implemented app support for universal links. I think I would have linked to that issue had I discovered it before creating this one.

In short it'll solve my problem and I'll be happy, but I'm worried your effort might go unnoticed?

[anohren]

Oh and I think it's important that the app switches to the correct host no matter what; it's no fun discovering after a while that you've still been controlling the previous host because of some invisible exception or unreachable host.

[wutschel]

Thanks for your feedback on this, I agree the solution is a bit hacky for now. Let's see what can be done.

Also, you make a valid point about connecting the correct server, no matter what. This would mean that the app shall not fall back to default or keep running the current connected server. It should really disconnect / not connect at all in case the desired server is not found.

[wutschel]

Solution for shortcuts and Siri Shortcuts through URL scheme is done here: #1353.

@kambala-decapitator, is there a way to further improve the automation possibilities for Siri Shortcuts by adding the ability to process parameters like host name or host address?

[anohren]

Thanks, you understand exactly. Looking forward to try it out!

Nice to see you accept both url host and host description, and that you've taken whitespace in the host description into account.

Looks trivial to extend this with a path component in the future to select which view to start in (e.g. music, video/addons, remote...)

[wutschel]

Thanks, you understand exactly. Looking forward to try it out!

Looking forward to your feedback once this is in a TF build.

Looks trivial to extend this with a path component in the future to select which view to start in (e.g. music, video/addons, remote...)

You are aware that this can be configured in the app settings? Or you aim to use different start views for different servers and make it a parameter?

[kambala-decapitator]

@kambala-decapitator, is there a way to further improve the automation possibilities for Siri Shortcuts by adding the ability to process parameters like host name or host address?

you can support any number of parameters in the URL if that's your question. As for the siri shortucts themselves, I've never used them.

[wutschel]

you can support any number of parameters in the URL if that's your question. As for the siri shortucts themselves, I've never used them.

Ok, the URL parameters are clear. What I wanted to ask is: is there any Siri Shortcut specific API to implement for apps.

[kambala-decapitator]

no idea :)