mail-read

Retrieve specific emails from local Apple Mail data using ROWID or subject keywords.

5|Updated Feb 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/aashari/ai-agent-skills --skill mail-read
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: mail-read
Source: https://github.com/aashari/ai-agent-skills/tree/main/skills/apple-mail/mail-read
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/aashari/ai-agent-skills --skill mail-read

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Retrieving a specific email from the local Apple Mail data store can be tedious when you need headers, body, and attachments. This Skill consolidates the required query logic and output formatting into a simple, repeatable command.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • ROWID lookup to fetch an email by its numeric identifier from the Envelope Index database.
  • Subject/sender search to locate messages when only partial information is known, returning top matches with key metadata.
  • Full readout of headers, body content, and attachment filenames for quick review or archiving.
  • Use Case: You want to verify the content of a specific message before drafting a reply or for a compliance audit.

Quick Start

Read an email by ROWID, subject keywords, or a description to view headers, body, and attachments.

Frequently Asked Questions about mail-read

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I retrieve a specific email from the local Apple Mail data store?

To retrieve a specific email from the local Apple Mail data store, query the Envelope Index database using a numeric ROWID, subject keywords, or a description. This returns the full message readout including headers, body content, and attachment filenames.

Can I search local Apple Mail messages by subject and sender?

Yes, you can search local Apple Mail messages by subject and sender keywords. This mode locates matching messages using partial information and returns the top results with their key metadata for quick identification.

Do I need sqlite3 and python3 to read local Apple Mail data?

Yes, you need sqlite3 and python3 to read local Apple Mail data. These dependencies are required to query the local Mail data store and assemble the requested email headers, body, and attachments for display.

What is the best way to look up an email by its ROWID in the Envelope Index database?

The best way to look up an email by its ROWID in the Envelope Index database is using a direct ROWID lookup mode. This fetches the exact message by its numeric identifier and outputs the complete headers, body, and attachment filenames.

How do I extract email headers and attachments for a compliance audit?

You can extract email headers and attachments for a compliance audit by searching the local Mail data store with subject keywords or a ROWID. The output provides a full readout of sender information, headers, body content, and attachment filenames for archiving.

Are there limitations when searching for local emails using partial descriptions?

When searching for local emails using partial descriptions, the system relies on matching subject keywords or sender information within the local Apple Mail data store. It returns top matches, so highly vague descriptions may yield less precise results without a specific ROWID.