---

name: messages description: Fuzzy search and browse Apple Messages/iMessage. Use when user asks to find texts, search messages, look up conversations, find what someone said, who texted recently, or view recent messages.

messages

Fuzzy search through Apple Messages using the messages CLI tool.

Installation

If the messages CLI is not installed, install it:

git clone https://github.com/cardmagic/messages.git
cd messages && make install

Requirements:

• macOS with Apple Messages
• Node.js 22+
• Full Disk Access for terminal (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access)

Triggers

Use this skill when user asks about:

• Finding or searching text messages
• Looking up conversations or chats
• Finding what someone said in iMessage
• Searching message history
• Who texted recently, recent messages, contacts

Proactive triggers: "find text", "search messages", "what did X say", "message from", "text about", "iMessage", "look up conversation", "who texted", "recent messages", "recent texts"

Browse Commands

For browsing recent messages and conversations (no search query needed):

# Show most recent messages (answers "who texted me?")
messages recent

# List contacts by recent activity
messages contacts --limit 10

# List conversations with message counts
messages conversations

# Show recent messages from/to a specific person
messages from "John"

# Show full conversation thread with someone
messages thread "John" --after 2024-12-01

Search Commands

For fuzzy searching through message content:

# Rebuild index and search (recommended)
messages index-and-search "search query"

# Search with filters
messages search "query" --from "John"
messages search "query" --after 2024-06-01
messages search "query" --limit 25
messages search "query" --context 5

# Combine options
messages search "dinner" --from "Mom" --after 2024-01-01 --limit 15

Other Commands

# Check index stats (message count, date range, etc.)
messages stats

# Rebuild index only
messages index

Options Reference

Option	Description	Example
--from, -f	Filter by sender name or phone	--from "John Smith"
--after, -a	Messages after date	--after 2024-06-01
--limit, -l	Max results (default: 10)	--limit 25
--context, -c	Messages before/after match (default: 2)	--context 5

Tips

• Use quotes around multi-word search terms: "dinner plans"
• Sender filter supports partial matches: --from "John" matches "John Smith"
• Phone numbers can be used in sender filter: --from "+1555"
• Increase --limit for broader searches
• Increase --context to see more conversation around matches