apple-apps

Automate Apple Notes, Reminders, iMessage, FindMy, and Calendar on macOS via CLIs and osascript.

Updated May 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/patty-chow/the-stable --skill apple-apps-patty-chow
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: apple-apps
Source: https://github.com/patty-chow/the-stable/tree/main/skills/apple/apple-apps
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/patty-chow/the-stable --skill apple-apps-patty-chow

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Automating built-in Apple apps on macOS requires juggling different tools and scripting interfaces, each with its own quirks, permission prompts, and parsing pitfalls. This Skill consolidates the correct CLI or AppleScript pattern for each app so you avoid trial-and-error with undocumented flags and unicode date bugs. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Notes, Reminders, and iMessage via dedicated CLIs: Use memo, remindctl, and imsg to create notes, manage reminder lists, and send or read iMessages/SMS with JSON output. - FindMy location lookups: Open FindMy via AppleScript, capture the window, and analyze it with vision to locate devices, AirTags, and items. - osascript patterns for Calendar, Mail, and Music: Ready-made AppleScript snippets for today's events, unread mail counts, and now-playing info, with defensive unicode normalization. - Use Case: Ask your agent to add a reminder that syncs to your iPhone, text a contact after confirming the number, and report today's calendar events — all in one session. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to add a reminder titled "Buy milk" due tomorrow using the apple-apps skill.

Frequently Asked Questions about apple-apps

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I send an iMessage from the macOS command line?▼

Use the imsg CLI: run `imsg send --to "+14155551212" --text "Hello!"` after installing it with `brew install steipete/tap/imsg`. Messages.app must be signed in, and the terminal needs Full Disk Access and Automation permission for Messages.app.

How do I create Apple Reminders from a script or terminal?▼

Use remindctl, installed via `brew install steipete/tap/remindctl`. Run `remindctl add --title "Call mom" --list Personal --due tomorrow` to create reminders that sync to iPhone and iPad through iCloud.

Can I automate Apple Notes without AppleScript?▼

Yes, the memo CLI handles Notes automation: install with `brew tap antoniorodr/memo && brew install antoniorodr/memo/memo`, then use `memo notes -a "Title"` to create or `memo notes -s "query"` to search. It cannot edit notes containing images or attachments.

Why does parsing AppleScript date output fail in Python?▼

macOS inserts U+202F narrow no-break space between the time and AM/PM in localized date strings, so splitting on regular spaces breaks. Normalize with `.replace("\u202f", " ")` before parsing, or have AppleScript return ISO 8601 directly.

When should I use osascript instead of the dedicated CLIs?▼

Use osascript only for apps without a CLI, such as Calendar events, Mail unread counts, and Music playback. For Reminders use remindctl, for Notes use memo, and for iMessage use imsg, since those CLIs are more reliable and produce JSON output.

What are the limitations of automating FindMy on macOS?▼

FindMy has no CLI, so automation requires opening the app with AppleScript and analyzing screenshots with vision. AirTags only update while the FindMy page is displayed, Screen Recording permission is required, and UI automation may break across macOS versions.