Skim is a free, open-source email client for Windows with optional AI features. It is designed to be small, local-first, fast, and less cluttered than traditional email suites.

Yes. Skim is free and open source under the MIT license. There is no Skim subscription, although optional AI features require your own AI provider key.

Which platforms does Skim support?

Skim is currently focused on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It uses WebView2 and offers a small installer that can be installed without admin rights.

How does Skim AI work?

Skim AI works only after you add your own Anthropic or OpenRouter key. It can draft replies, answer questions about messages, summarize unread mail, and cite the source emails it used.

Does Skim store email on its own servers?

No. Skim syncs mail directly to a local SQLite database on your device. The product page says there are no Skim servers and zero telemetry.

Skim is best for Windows users who want a lightweight, private email client with local search and optional AI. It is not ideal for teams needing shared inboxes, admin controls, or complex rules.

Skim

Free open-source AI email client for Windows with local search and BYOK AI.

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What is Skim?

TL;DR

Skim is an AI research and reading tool designed to help users process information, summarize content, extract useful insights, and work through large amounts of text faster. It is aimed at teams and builders who want practical, repeatable workflows with AI.

Native Windows email client
Local SQLite mail search
BYOK AI reply drafting

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About

Skim is a free, open-source AI email client for Windows built for people who want a lighter inbox without another subscription. It uses a native Rust core with a Tauri 2 interface, installs as a small Windows app, and focuses on fast local email management instead of becoming a full calendar, contacts, rules, and productivity suite. The app syncs mail over IMAP into a local SQLite database, so search is fast, offline access works, and actions can queue while the network catches up. Skim keeps the interface minimal with keyboard-first navigation, contextual actions, a command palette, instant full-text search, and support for Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, and other standard IMAP or SMTP mailboxes. Skim also includes optional AI features for users who bring their own Anthropic or OpenRouter key. With a key added, it can draft replies in your voice, refine drafts through follow-up instructions, answer questions about individual emails or full threads, summarize unread messages, and search across your mailbox while citing source emails. The strongest fit is a Windows user who wants an offline-first email client with local storage, no telemetry, and simple AI assistance without paying for another hosted inbox product. It is less suitable for teams that need shared mailboxes, complex workflow rules, calendar scheduling, admin controls, mobile apps, or a polished enterprise support contract.

Use Cases

Research Reading

Process long-form information faster by extracting important points and useful context.

Document Summaries

Condense lengthy documents and articles into shorter summaries for quicker review.

Information Extraction

Pull relevant facts and insights from large amounts of written material.

Knowledge Review

Use AI assistance to understand and organize information while researching a topic.

Key Features

Native Windows email client
Local SQLite mail search
BYOK AI reply drafting
Open-source MIT license

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