Yes. Skim is free and open source under the MIT license — no subscription, no account, no upsell. The AI features are optional and use your own API key, so you pay your AI provider directly at cost.

Which email providers does Skim support?

Gmail (one-click Google sign-in or an app password), Outlook, Yahoo and iCloud via app passwords, and any other mailbox over standard IMAP/SMTP. Server settings are filled in automatically for the big providers.

Does the AI read my email?

Only when you ask it to. AI features stay off until you paste your own key — Anthropic, OpenRouter, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint — and every request goes directly from your machine to the provider, no middleman servers. The key is stored in Windows Credential Manager.

Does Skim run on Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes — Skim supports Windows 10 and 11 with WebView2 (preinstalled on Windows 11). The installer is about 5 MB and installs per-user, no admin rights required.

How is Skim different from Outlook or Thunderbird?

Skim is deliberately small: a fast, keyboard-first Windows email client with a native Rust core instead of Electron, offline-first actions, instant local search, and an AI copilot that works with your own key. No calendar, no rules engine, no bloat.

Is my email stored locally?

Yes. Mail syncs over IMAP straight into a local SQLite cache on your device, so Skim works offline and search is instant. There are no Skim servers and zero telemetry.

AI Email Writer

Skim

Fast, open-source AI email client for Windows with native performance and optional AI assistant.

Skim

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What is Skim?

Skim is a free, open-source email client for Windows designed to be fast and minimal, with AI features that work with your own API key.

Skim vs Similar AI Tools

	Skim	Jobply	Yasmine	AI Emaily
Pricing Model	Free	Free	Free, Free Trial, Paid	Free, Freemium
Free Credits
Key Features	Native performance with Rust core and WebView2 UI Offline-first: syncs over IMAP to local SQLite database Instant search with FTS5	AI job matching based on your profile Automated cold emails to hiring managers One-click auto-fill on 25+ ATS platforms	Native Slack integration as a team member Answers and drafts emails via Gmail Tracks finances and operations	Unified inbox across all major email providers Three AI modes: Manual, Copilot, Autopilot Auto-triage and smart tabs (VIP, Team, Newsletters, Receipts)
Pros	Free and open source Lightweight (~5MB installer) and fast	Completely free with no paywalls Saves significant time on applications	Performs real work, not just advice Deep integration with Slack and 1200+ apps	Supports virtually all email providers in one inbox Three AI modes offer flexibility from manual to fully autonomous
Cons	Windows only (no macOS or Linux version) No calendar, contacts, or rules engine	Primarily focused on tech and startup roles Limited to English-language job boards	Requires a Claude subscription (bring your own key) Free trial limited to 7 days and 1 channel	Pricing for paid plans not yet fully transparent Autopilot mode may require careful rule-setting to avoid errors
Best For	Windows users seeking a fast, minimal email client Privacy-conscious individuals who want local email processing	Tech professionals Active job seekers	Slack users wanting an autonomous AI coworker Businesses needing automation of email, finance, and operations	Founders Investors

How to use Skim?

1Download the latest installer from GitHub.
2Run the .exe file (no admin rights needed) and follow the setup wizard.
3Add your email account using Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo/iCloud sign-in or custom IMAP/SMTP settings.
4Optionally paste your Anthropic or OpenRouter API key in settings to enable AI features.
5Use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+K for command palette, Ctrl+N to compose, j/k to navigate messages.

Skim Key Features

Native performance with Rust core and WebView2 UI
Offline-first: syncs over IMAP to local SQLite database
Instant search with FTS5
Keyboard-first interface with Ctrl+K command palette
AI drafts in your voice (learns from your sent emails)
AI recap of unread messages
Chat with your whole mailbox via command palette
Bring Your Own Key (Anthropic, OpenRouter, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint)
No telemetry, zero data collection
Open source under MIT license

Skim Use Cases

Managing email efficiently with a minimal, distraction-free interface
Drafting emails in your personal style using AI
Quickly summarizing unread messages to prioritize replies
Searching across your entire mailbox with AI-powered contextual queries
Using a fast email client on Windows without admin rights

Skim Pricing & Free Credits

Skim currently operates on a Free model.

This tool is completely free to use

Free

Free and open-source, AI features require your own API key (pay provider directly)

Skim Pros & Cons

Pros

Free and open source
Lightweight (~5MB installer) and fast
Privacy-focused with no telemetry
Keyboard shortcuts for power users
AI features work with your own API key, no subscription
Offline support with instant local search

Cons

Windows only (no macOS or Linux version)
No calendar, contacts, or rules engine
AI features require manual API key setup
Limited to IMAP/SMTP email providers

What is Skim best for?

Windows users seeking a fast, minimal email client
Privacy-conscious individuals who want local email processing
Users who want AI assistance without ongoing subscription fees
Keyboard shortcut enthusiasts

Skim FAQ

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