How to use the Apple Notes CLI agent skill (apple-notes)

What is an agent skill, and what does apple-notes do?

An agent skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file that gives an AI agent instructions for one kind of task. When the task matches the skill's description, the agent reads those instructions and uses the tools they describe. The apple-notes skill is one of these, and its file is SKILL.md.

Once installed, the agent can manage Apple Notes on your Mac by running the memo tool. It can list all notes, filter by folder, run a fuzzy search, add new notes, edit or delete existing ones, move notes between folders, and export notes to HTML or Markdown.

Install the memo tool the skill depends on

The skill only runs on macOS and needs the memo command-line tool. The suggested method uses Homebrew. Run the commands below in Terminal.

If you prefer a manual install, the source describes cloning the memo repository and running pip install from inside it. The skill also needs Automation access for Notes.app, so macOS may ask you to allow this the first time it runs.

• Requirements: macOS, the memo CLI, Homebrew (for the suggested method), and Apple Notes.app accessible to the terminal.
• Grant Automation access in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation if prompted.

Install the apple-notes skill folder

Download the apple-notes ZIP from this page and unzip it. You have two places to put the skill folder. A personal install makes it available everywhere; a project install limits it to one project.

You can also upload the skill through the Claude apps. Open Settings, go to Capabilities, then Skills, and add it there.

• Personal: unzip into ~/.claude/skills/
• Project: unzip into the project's .claude/skills/ folder
• Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload the skill

Ask the agent in plain language

You do not need to type memo commands yourself. The skill is meant to trigger when you ask Brigade to add a note, list notes, search notes or manage note folders. Describe what you want in ordinary words and name the folder or topic when you can.

Some actions open an interactive prompt in the terminal so you choose the note or folder yourself. Expect this for editing, deleting and moving, and keep the terminal available to answer.

• "List my notes in the Work folder."
• "Search my notes for the dentist appointment."
• "Add a note titled Groceries."
• "Move my packing list note to the Travel folder."
• "Export my meeting notes to Markdown."

Commands the skill uses behind the scenes

These are the memo commands listed in the skill. You can run them yourself to check what the agent will do. Searches are fuzzy, and the add command with a title skips the editor prompt.

Export runs the selected note through Mistune for Markdown processing.

• List all notes: memo notes
• Filter by folder: memo notes -f "Folder Name"
• Search: memo notes -s "query"
• Add with editor: memo notes -a
• Quick add with title: memo notes -a "Note Title"
• Edit (interactive selection): memo notes -e
• Delete (interactive selection): memo notes -d
• Move (interactive selection): memo notes -m
• Export to HTML/Markdown: memo notes -ex

Safety, limits and what the skill needs

The skill runs scripts on your machine. According to its metadata it does not use the network. Deleting and editing depend on interactive selection, and the source does not describe any undo, so treat deletes as permanent unless you have a backup. Review each selection before confirming.

Notes that contain images or attachments cannot be edited through this tool. Interactive prompts may also need a real terminal session, so unattended bulk changes are not a good fit.

• Runs scripts on your Mac: yes. Uses network: no.
• Do not rely on it for unattended bulk edits or deletes.
• Notes with images or attachments cannot be edited with this tool.
• Keep a backup of important notes before large changes.

Tips for better results

Name the folder when you list or move notes, since the folder filter is the most direct way to narrow results. Use search for finding a note by a few words rather than its exact title, because search is fuzzy.

For quick capture, a short title in your request is enough. For longer notes, ask the agent to open the editor and write the body there.

• Use folder names exactly as they appear in Notes.
• Ask for export when you need a copy in HTML or Markdown.
• Test a command in Terminal first if you are unsure what it will do.