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

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

apple-notes