Working with Nested Dictionaries

Jellycuts is a powerful tool for automating tasks on iOS devices using custom shortcuts. Understanding how to work with nested dictionaries in Jellycuts can be incredibly useful for managing complex data structures. This guide will walk you through a full example of working with nested dictionaries, breaking it down step-by-step.

Full Code Example

The example below is loosely based on my previous article where I share how I version control Shortcuts on RoutineHub using UpdateKit. I've modified it slightly so that the JSON-based Dictionary is obviously nested.

If you would like to see this the final example, download the Shortcut from RoutineHub.

import Shortcuts
#Color: red, #Icon: shortcuts

// JSON Dictionary I use to Version Control 

dictionary(json: { "routinehub": { "author": { "name": "0xChris", "url": "https://routinehub.co/user/0xchris" }, "shortcut": { "name": "0xQRMaker", "id": "18187", "url": "https://routinehub.co/shortcut/18187/"}} }) >> casestudy

// ———— Top Level JSON ——
valueFor(key: "routinehub", dictionary: casestudy) >> rhDict


// Show Items within "routinehub"

keysFrom(dictionary: rhDict) >> rhKeys

quicklook(input: rhKeys)



// ———— About Author Node ——————
// These two approaches aims to get the precise value you need 


// Get Value using .key() method

var authorName = rhDict.key(author).key(name)

quicklook(input: authorName)


// Get Value using Interpolation

var authorURL = "${rhDict.as(Dictionary).key(author).as(Dictionary).key(url)}"

quicklook(input: authorURL)



// ———— About Shortcut ——————
// This strategy aims to first identify what keys are available for future targeting

// Get Items within "shortcut"

valueFor(key: "shortcut", dictionary: rhDict) >> shortcutDict


// Get keys of items within "shortcut"

keysFrom(dictionary: shortcutDict) >> shortcutKeys

quicklook(input: shortcutKeys)


// Get value from shortcut.id

var shortcutID = shortcutDict.key(id)

quicklook(input: shortcutID)


// Get value from shortcut.name

valueFor(key: "name", dictionary: shortcutDict) >> name

quicklook(input: name)

Breaking It Down

Let's break down the code into smaller, more understandable parts.

Step 1: Creating the Dictionary

We start by creating a dictionary (a collection of key-value pairs) in JSON format. This dictionary contains information about me, the author, and my shortcut.

dictionary(json: { "routinehub": { "author": { "name": "0xChris", "url": "https://routinehub.co/user/0xchris" }, "shortcut": { "name": "0xQRMaker", "id": "18187", "url": "https://routinehub.co/shortcut/18187/" }}
}) >> casestudy

Step 2: Accessing the Top-Level Dictionary

We extract the top-level dictionary using the key "routinehub".

valueFor(key: "routinehub", dictionary: casestudy) >> rhDict

Step 3: Listing Keys in the Top-Level Dictionary

We list all the keys in the "routinehub" dictionary to see what it contains.

keysFrom(dictionary: rhDict) >> rhKeys
quicklook(input: rhKeys)

The quicklook command will show the keys in the "routinehub" dictionary: ["author", "shortcut"].

Step 4: Accessing Values in the "Author" Node

Method 1: Using the .key() Method

We get the author's name using the .key() method.

var authorName = rhDict.key(author).key(name)
quicklook(input: authorName)

This will display 0xChris.

Method 2: Using Interpolation

We get the author's URL using string interpolation.

var authorURL = "${rhDict.as(Dictionary).key(author).as(Dictionary).key(url)}"
quicklook(input: authorURL)

This will display https://routinehub.co/user/0xchris.

Step 5: Accessing Values in the "Shortcut" Node

Step 5.1: Extracting the "Shortcut" Dictionary

We extract the "shortcut" dictionary from the "routinehub" dictionary.

valueFor(key: "shortcut", dictionary: rhDict) >> shortcutDict

Step 5.2: Listing Keys in the "Shortcut" Dictionary

We list all the keys in the "shortcut" dictionary.

keysFrom(dictionary: shortcutDict) >> shortcutKeys
quicklook(input: shortcutKeys)

The quicklook command will show the keys in the "shortcut" dictionary: ["name", "id", "url"].

Step 5.3: Accessing Specific Values in the "Shortcut" Dictionary

We get the shortcut ID.

var shortcutID = shortcutDict.key(id)
quicklook(input: shortcutID)

This will display 18187.

We get the shortcut name.

valueFor(key: "name", dictionary: shortcutDict) >> name
quicklook(input: name)

This will display 0xQRMaker.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively work with nested dictionaries in Jellycuts. This approach allows you to access and manipulate complex data structures with ease, making your shortcuts more powerful and versatile.