readwise-cli

Access and manage Readwise highlights and Reader documents from the command line.

Updated Jun 17, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/nikbrunner/dots --skill readwise-cli-nikbrunner
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: readwise-cli
Source: https://github.com/nikbrunner/dots/tree/main/common/.agents/skills/readwise-cli
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/nikbrunner/dots --skill readwise-cli-nikbrunner

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Access to Readwise highlights and Reader documents from the command line is often fragmented and manual. This skill provides a unified, fast CLI pathway to access, list, and fetch reading data from Readwise directly in your terminal.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • CLI access to highlights and documents: retrieve, list, and inspect saved items from Readwise without leaving the shell.
  • Automation-ready workflows: integrate with scripts to export highlights or sync documents to local files or notes.
  • Authentication and session management: securely stores and reuses tokens to streamline repeated CLI sessions.

Quick Start

Run the readwise CLI to access and manage your highlights, reader documents, and library from the terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions about readwise-cli

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I access Readwise highlights from the command line?

You can access Readwise highlights from the command line by using a CLI tool to retrieve, list, and inspect saved items directly in your terminal. It provides a unified pathway to query your reading data without leaving the shell.

Can I automate exporting Readwise Reader documents to local files?

Yes, you can automate exporting Readwise Reader documents to local files. The CLI supports automation-ready workflows, allowing you to integrate it with scripts to sync documents and highlights to your local notes or files.

How does the Readwise CLI handle authentication for terminal sessions?

The Readwise CLI handles authentication by securely storing and reusing tokens. This session management approach streamlines repeated terminal CLI sessions by maintaining access credentials for fetching highlights and documents.

Does the Readwise CLI support JSON responses for scripting highlights?

Yes, the Readwise CLI supports optional JSON responses for scripting highlights. This allows developers to query and parse reading data programmatically, integrating highlights and Reader documents into automation workflows.

Is there a way to fetch Readwise reading history without leaving the terminal?

You can fetch Readwise reading history without leaving the terminal by executing CLI commands to access and manage your library. It allows power users to quickly list and retrieve saved highlights and Reader documents.

What is the best way to manage Readwise highlights for power users?

The best way to manage Readwise highlights for power users is using a dedicated CLI tool. It enables fast terminal access to query, display, and fetch reading data, supporting optional JSON outputs for advanced scripting.