A command-line interface for macOS that enables AI agents and developers to interact with iMessage and SMS services programmatically.
Install & Download
1. ClawHub CLI
The fastest way to install a skill directly from the registry.
npx clawhub@latest install imsg
2. Manual Installation
Copy the skill folder to one of these locations
~/.openclaw/skills/ <project>/skills/ Priority: Workspace > Local > Bundled
3. Prompt Installation
Copy this prompt to OpenClaw to install it automatically.
Help me install imsg using Clawhub. If Clawhub is not installed, install it first (npm i -g clawhub).
Prefer to download?
Get the raw skill files in a ZIP archive.
What is imsg?
imsg is a specialized command-line tool designed for macOS that bridges the gap between terminal environments and the native Messages.app. It allows for the programmatic retrieval of chat logs, real-time monitoring of new messages, and the automated sending of text and attachments. When integrated into Openclaw Skills, it empowers AI agents to manage communication workflows directly from the shell.
Built for performance and ease of use, it utilizes the local Messages database to provide detailed JSON outputs, making it an ideal choice for developers looking to build sophisticated automation around their personal or professional communications. By using this tool within the context of Openclaw Skills, users can create seamless loops between their coding environment and their messaging platform.
imsg Use Cases
- Creating automated response systems or notifications within a development workflow.
- Archiving and searching through chat history for specific project details or links.
- Monitoring specific chat IDs for incoming triggers to launch automated scripts.
- Sending build reports, logs, or screenshots to team members via iMessage directly from a CI/CD pipeline.
How imsg Works
- The tool interfaces with the local macOS Messages database to fetch historical data and active chat lists.
- Commands are issued via the CLI with optional flags for JSON formatting to facilitate machine readability.
- For sending messages, the tool interacts with the Messages.app system events, requiring specific automation permissions.
- Real-time updates are handled via the watch command, which polls for changes in the message store to surface new incoming data immediately.
imsg Setup
To use this tool with Openclaw Skills, you must be running macOS with Messages.app signed in. Follow these steps for installation:
# Add the tap and install via Homebrew
brew tap steipete/tap
brew install imsg
Important: You must grant Full Disk Access to your terminal application in System Settings > Privacy & Security to allow the tool to read the Messages database.
imsg Data Schema & Taxonomy
The tool provides structured output that is highly compatible with Openclaw Skills logic. Data is primarily returned in the following structures:
| Object | Description |
|---|---|
chats |
Returns an array of objects containing chat_id, display name, and service type. |
history |
Provides a list of messages including text, sender, timestamp, and attachments. |
watch |
Streams new message events in real-time. |
service |
Can be explicitly set to imessage, sms, or auto. |
imsg Advanced Features
- Support for multi-modal messaging including file and image attachments via the
--fileflag. - JSON output mode (
--json) for seamless integration with AI agent parsing logic. - Granular control over message delivery services to distinguish between iMessage and SMS.
- Attachment handling that allows for the extraction and processing of received files.
SKILL.md
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