imsg

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iMessage/SMS CLI for listing chats, history, and sending messages via Messages.app.

Flexasaurusrex By Flexasaurusrex schedule Updated 2/23/2026

name: imsg description: iMessage/SMS CLI for listing chats, history, and sending messages via Messages.app. homepage: https://imsg.to metadata: { "openpaw": { "emoji": "๐Ÿ“จ", "os": ["darwin"], "requires": { "bins": ["imsg"] }, "install": [ { "id": "brew", "kind": "brew", "formula": "steipete/tap/imsg", "bins": ["imsg"], "label": "Install imsg (brew)", }, ], },

}

imsg

Use imsg to read and send iMessage/SMS via macOS Messages.app.

When to Use

โœ… USE this skill when:

  • User explicitly asks to send iMessage or SMS
  • Reading iMessage conversation history
  • Checking recent Messages.app chats
  • Sending to phone numbers or Apple IDs

When NOT to Use

โŒ DON'T use this skill when:

  • Telegram messages โ†’ use message tool with channel:telegram
  • Signal messages โ†’ use Signal channel if configured
  • WhatsApp messages โ†’ use WhatsApp channel if configured
  • Discord messages โ†’ use message tool with channel:discord
  • Slack messages โ†’ use slack skill
  • Group chat management (adding/removing members) โ†’ not supported
  • Bulk/mass messaging โ†’ always confirm with user first
  • Replying in current conversation โ†’ just reply normally (Pawbot routes automatically)

Requirements

  • macOS with Messages.app signed in
  • Full Disk Access for terminal
  • Automation permission for Messages.app (for sending)

Common Commands

List Chats

imsg chats --limit 10 --json

View History

# By chat ID
imsg history --chat-id 1 --limit 20 --json

# With attachments info
imsg history --chat-id 1 --limit 20 --attachments --json

Watch for New Messages

imsg watch --chat-id 1 --attachments

Send Messages

# Text only
imsg send --to "+14155551212" --text "Hello!"

# With attachment
imsg send --to "+14155551212" --text "Check this out" --file /path/to/image.jpg

# Specify service
imsg send --to "+14155551212" --text "Hi" --service imessage
imsg send --to "+14155551212" --text "Hi" --service sms

Service Options

  • --service imessage โ€” Force iMessage (requires recipient has iMessage)
  • --service sms โ€” Force SMS (green bubble)
  • --service auto โ€” Let Messages.app decide (default)

Safety Rules

  1. Always confirm recipient and message content before sending
  2. Never send to unknown numbers without explicit user approval
  3. Be careful with attachments โ€” confirm file path exists
  4. Rate limit yourself โ€” don't spam

Example Workflow

User: "Text mom that I'll be late"

# 1. Find mom's chat
imsg chats --limit 20 --json | jq '.[] | select(.displayName | contains("Mom"))'

# 2. Confirm with user
# "Found Mom at +1555123456. Send 'I'll be late' via iMessage?"

# 3. Send after confirmation
imsg send --to "+1555123456" --text "I'll be late"
Install via CLI
npx skills add https://github.com/Flexasaurusrex/OpenPaw --skill imsg
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