ShellMail
Email for AI agents via shellmail.ai. Create inboxes, receive mail, extract OTPs automatically.
⚠️ Security & Privacy Notice
This skill requires a sensitive SHELLMAIL_TOKEN that grants full access to your inbox and OTPs.
When you set up this skill for the first time, you'll be instructed to save the token into agent configuration using gateway config.patch. This means:
- The agent will retain persistent access to your ShellMail inbox
- The token remains active until you explicitly revoke it or remove it from config
- Only proceed if you fully trust shellmail.ai and understand these privacy implications
Best practices:
- Use ShellMail for agent-related activities only, not personal email
- Use disposable/separate recovery emails when possible
- Review the
gateway config.patchcommand output before confirming - Revoke access when you no longer need this skill
First-Time Setup
If no token is configured:
- Ask user for desired email name (e.g., "atlas") and a recovery email
- Or use
autofor the name to generate a random address (e.g., "swift-reef-4821")
- Or use
- Run:
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh create <name> <recovery_email> - If the address is already taken:
- If the user says it was their old address: try creating with the same recovery email — deleted addresses are held for 14 days and can be reclaimed
- Otherwise: suggest a different name or use
auto - Do NOT suggest recovery unless the user confirms it's their previous inbox
- Save the returned token:
gateway config.patch {"skills":{"entries":{"shellmail":{"env":{"SHELLMAIL_TOKEN":"sm_..."}}}}}
⚠️ Important: Before running this command, explain to the user:
- This saves the token into agent configuration for persistent access
- The agent will retain access to their inbox/OTPs until the token is removed or revoked
- They should only proceed if they trust shellmail.ai and understand the privacy implications
- Show them the exact command and ask for confirmation before executing
- Tell user to save the token safely — it won't be shown again
- Suggest user send a test email to their new address to verify it's working
- Once they confirm, run
inboxto show the test email arrived
Token Recovery
Only use recovery if the user explicitly says they lost access to an existing inbox they own:
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh recover <address@shellmail.ai> <recovery_email>
This sends a new token to the recovery email on file. Do not suggest this for "address taken" errors.
Commands
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh <command>
Check Inbox
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh inbox
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh inbox --unread
Read Email
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh read <email_id>
Get OTP Code
# Get latest OTP
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh otp
# Wait up to 30 seconds for OTP
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh otp --wait 30
# Filter by sender
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh otp --wait 30 --from github.com
Search Emails
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh search --query "verification"
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh search --otp
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh search --from stripe.com
Other Commands
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh mark-read <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh archive <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh delete <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh health
Common Patterns
User says "check my email":
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh inbox --unread
User says "get the verification code":
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh otp --wait 30
User says "wait for GitHub OTP":
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh otp --wait 30 --from github.com
Revoking Access
If the user wants to revoke the skill's access to their ShellMail inbox:
Remove Token from Config
gateway config.patch '{"skills":{"entries":{"shellmail":{"env":{"SHELLMAIL_TOKEN":""}}}}}'
Delete Account Entirely
{baseDir}/scripts/shellmail.sh delete-account
Note: Deleted addresses enter a 14-day hold window and can only be reclaimed by the original owner using the recovery email.
API Reference
Base URL: https://shellmail.ai
All endpoints use Authorization: Bearer $SHELLMAIL_TOKEN
| Endpoint | Method | Description |
|---|---|---|
/api/mail | GET | List emails (?unread=true&limit=50) |
/api/mail/:id | GET | Read full email |
/api/mail/:id | PATCH | Update {is_read, is_archived} |
/api/mail/:id | DELETE | Delete email |
/api/mail/otp | GET | Get OTP (?timeout=30000&from=domain) |
/api/mail/search | GET | Search (?q=text&from=domain&has_otp=true) |
/api/addresses | POST | Create {local, recovery_email} |