WorkDesk
Shortcuts Widget
The Quick Launch (Shortcuts) widget provides one-click buttons for the most frequent tasks in your role — starting workflows, opening apps, or navigating to any WorkDesk section. Reduce clicks for high-frequency actions.
Widget Preview
Quick Launch
Start Leave Request
Start Purchase Order
Go to Inbox
Open HR Portal
Shortcut Action Types
| Action Type | Config | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
startWorkflow | workflowId: string | Triggers the specified workflow with no input data. User sees a confirmation and the execution appears in History. |
openApp | appId: string | Opens the App Studio application in WorkDesk's main content area. |
navigate | path: string | Navigates to any WorkDesk path (e.g., /workdesk/inbox). |
url | url: string | Opens an external URL in a new tab. Useful for external systems or portals. |
Shortcut Configuration JSON
{
"id": "w-quicklaunch-1",
"type": "QuickLaunch",
"col": 0, "row": 2,
"w": 1, "h": 1,
"config": {
"title": "Quick Launch", // optional widget title
"shortcuts": [
{
"label": "Start Leave Request",
"icon": "fa-play",
"action": { "type": "startWorkflow", "workflowId": "wf-leave-001" }
},
{
"label": "Start Purchase Order",
"icon": "fa-play",
"action": { "type": "startWorkflow", "workflowId": "wf-po-002" }
},
{
"label": "Go to Inbox",
"icon": "fa-inbox",
"action": { "type": "navigate", "path": "/workdesk/inbox" }
},
{
"label": "Open HR Portal",
"icon": "fa-external-link-alt",
"action": { "type": "url", "url": "https://hr.acme.com" }
}
]
}
}
Starting a Workflow from a Shortcut
When a startWorkflow shortcut is clicked:
- A confirmation dialog appears: "Start Leave Request?"
- User confirms → WorkDesk calls
POST /api/workflows/{workflowId}/execute - Execution starts in the background
- A success notification appears: "Leave Request workflow started"
- The execution appears in Workflow History with status
running
Workflow Permissions
Employees can only start workflows they have permission to trigger (configured by the workflow designer). If an employee clicks a Quick Launch shortcut for a workflow they lack permission to run, a "Permission denied" error is shown.