The following shortcuts are available in an assortment of tools. For example, in the browser, one can use these shortcuts in the URL bar to open up specific websites along with search terms without having to remember a long URL or first open the website. See https://bahai-library.com/zamir_efficient_searches_shortcuts for a video tutorial or text instructions.
The %s in the URL is the dynamic, variable portion which should be changed by software. Some software, like Firefox with its keyword shortcut bookmarks, or Google Chrome with its custom search engines, convert the %s into a search term after one types the shortcut in the URL bar followed by a search term.
A more technical usage example is with custom web protocols.
This wiki and our sister wikis also use them for links. See Bahai9:Using this Site for instructions for use on Bahai9 which is similar with the approach that can be used on other wikis.
Some of the wikis have pages set for each shortcut as well which redirect to the wiki's equivalent page for the given book, allowing such as the browser shortcuts mentioned above (e.g., "b9" opening a page on https://bahai9.com) with a book (e.g., "b9 ka" opening up the Bahai9 page for the Kitáb-i-Aqdas).
The shortcuts are arbitrary but are being listed here so as to facilitate informal standards within the community. Another source which may assist is Steven Phelps' creation of shortcuts for the references in Partial Inventory of the Works of the Central Figures of the Bahá'í Faith.
