An electronic device for triggering an action based on a shortcut gesture. The electronic device may include a user interface, a haptic device, and a controller in signal communication with the user interface and the haptic device. The user interface may be configured to receive a touch gesture at its surface. The controller is configured to determine a recognition level of the touch gesture as the touch gesture is being received. It is configured to trigger the haptic device to generate a haptic effect at the user interface based on the recognition level, and it is configured to trigger an application action associated with the touch gesture if the recognition level exceeds a threshold.