Apple Notes

Apple Notes

Use memo to manage Apple Notes directly from the terminal. Notes sync across all Apple devices via iCloud.

Prerequisites

• macOS with Notes.app
• Install: brew tap antoniorodr/memo && brew install antoniorodr/memo/memo
• Grant Automation access to Notes.app when prompted (System Settings → Privacy → Automation)

When to Use

• User asks to create, view, or search Apple Notes
• Saving information to Notes.app for cross-device access
• Organizing notes into folders
• Exporting notes to Markdown/HTML

When NOT to Use

• Obsidian vault management → use the obsidian skill
• Bear Notes → separate app (not supported here)
• Quick agent-only notes → use the memory tool instead

Quick Reference

View Notes

memo notes                        # List all notes
memo notes -f "Folder Name"       # Filter by folder
memo notes -s "query"             # Search notes (fuzzy)

Create Notes

memo notes -a                     # Add a note (opens your $EDITOR)
memo notes -a -f "Folder Name"    # Add a note into a specific folder

-a/--add is a bare flag — it opens your $EDITOR to compose the note; it does not take a title argument. Use -f/--folder to target a folder. Set $EDITOR first (e.g. export EDITOR=vim).

Edit Notes

memo notes -e                     # Interactive selection to edit

Delete Notes

memo notes -d                     # Interactive selection to delete

Move Notes

memo notes -m                     # Move note to folder (interactive)

Export Notes

memo notes -ex                    # Export to HTML/Markdown

Limitations

• Cannot edit notes containing images or attachments
• Interactive prompts require terminal access (use pty=true if needed)
• macOS only — requires Apple Notes.app

Rules

1. Prefer Apple Notes when user wants cross-device sync (iPhone/iPad/Mac)
2. Use the memory tool for agent-internal notes that don't need to sync
3. Use the obsidian skill for Markdown-native knowledge management