EmailOS Template Command Documentation

The mailos template command manages HTML email templates for styling outgoing emails with custom designs and branding.

Basic Usage

mailos template

Opens interactive template management interface with options to create, edit, preview, or list templates.

Command-Line Flags

Basic Options

Flag	Short	Type	Default	Description	Example
--account		string		Email account to use	mailos template --account value
--content		string		HTML content for template	mailos template --content value
--from		string		Email account to use (alias for --account)	mailos template --from value

Advanced Options

Flag	Short	Type	Default	Description	Example
--copy		string		Copy from existing template name	mailos template --copy value
--edit		bool	false	Open template in default HTML editor	mailos template --edit
--file		string		Read HTML content from file	mailos template --file value
--image		string		Local image file to embed as base64	mailos template --image value
--name		string		Template name	mailos template --name value
--open-browser		bool	false	Open template HTML file in browser	mailos template --open-browser
--remove		bool	false	Remove existing template	mailos template --remove
--template-dir		string		Set template directory for account	mailos template --template-dir value

Interactive Template Management

Running mailos template without flags opens an interactive menu with three options:

1. Create/Edit Template

• Prompts for template name if not provided with --name
• Multi-line HTML input terminated by typing "END" on a new line
• Validates that template contains placeholder
• Optional preview before saving
• Saves to appropriate location (local or global)

2. Preview Existing Template

• Lists available templates if no name specified
• Loads template and opens preview in browser with sample content
• Replaces placeholders with preview data for visual testing

3. List Templates

• Shows all available templates from both local and global locations
• Displays template names and their file paths

Template System

Placeholder Variables

Templates support the following placeholders that are replaced when emails are sent:

• - Email content (required)
• - Profile picture (optional)

Storage Locations

Templates are stored with priority order:

1. Local project: .email/templates/[name].html
2. Global user: ~/.email/templates/[name].html

Local templates take precedence over global ones with the same name.

Template Files

• Saved as HTML files with .html extension
• Named templates: [name].html
• Default template: default.html

Quick Actions

View Template in Browser

mailos template --open-browser

Opens your current default template HTML file directly in the browser for visual inspection. Useful for:

• Quick visual review of template design
• Testing template appearance without sending emails
• Debugging layout issues

Create Named Template

mailos template --name company

Creates or edits a template with the specified name.

Remove Template

mailos template --remove --name company

Removes the specified template. If no name provided, removes "default" template.

Template Structure

Basic Template Example

<html>
  <body style="font-family: Arial; padding: 20px;">
    <div class="header">
      {{PROFILE_IMAGE}}
      <h1>My Company</h1>
    </div>
    <div class="content">
      {{BODY}}
    </div>
    <div class="footer">
      <p>© 2024 My Company</p>
    </div>
  </body>
</html>

Professional Template Example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <style>
    .email-container {
      max-width: 600px;
      margin: 0 auto;
      font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
      color: #333;
    }
    .header {
      background: #2c3e50;
      color: white;
      padding: 20px;
      text-align: center;
    }
    .content {
      padding: 30px;
      background: #ffffff;
    }
    .footer {
      background: #ecf0f1;
      padding: 20px;
      text-align: center;
      font-size: 12px;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <div class="email-container">
    <div class="header">
      <h1>Professional Email</h1>
    </div>
    <div class="content">
      {{BODY}}
    </div>
    <div class="footer">
      Contact information and unsubscribe links
    </div>
  </div>
</body>
</html>

Minimal Template Example

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 20px auto; font-family: Georgia, serif;">
  <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid #e0e0e0; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
    {{PROFILE_IMAGE}}
    <span style="margin-left: 10px; font-size: 18px;">Company Name</span>
  </div>
  <div style="line-height: 1.6;">
    {{BODY}}
  </div>
  <div style="margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid #e0e0e0; font-size: 14px; color: #666;">
    Best regards,<br>
    Your Name
  </div>
</div>

Profile Images

Profile Image Handling

When placeholder is used:

• Images are base64-encoded and embedded directly in the email
• Supported formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, WEBP
• Automatically styled with max-width: 150px; border-radius: 50%;
• If no profile image is configured, placeholder is removed

Profile Image Tag Output

The system generates HTML like:

<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,[encoded-data]" alt="Profile" style="max-width: 150px; height: auto; border-radius: 50%;">

Integration with Email System

Automatic Template Application

Templates are automatically applied when:

• Sending emails with mailos send command
• Email body contains markdown or HTML content
• Template file exists for the specified name (default: "default")

Template Bypass

Templates are bypassed when:

• Using --plain flag with send commands
• No template file exists
• Template loading fails

Template Management Commands

List All Templates

mailos template
# Choose option 3: List templates

Shows all available templates with their file paths.

Preview Template

mailos template
# Choose option 2: Preview existing template

Opens template in browser with sample content for visual testing.

Edit Existing Template

mailos template --name existing-template
# Choose option 1: Create/Edit template

Loads existing template for modification or creates new one if it doesn't exist.

Best Practices

Email Client Compatibility

• Use inline CSS for maximum compatibility
• Avoid JavaScript (not supported by most email clients)
• Test with multiple email clients (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail)
• Use table layouts for complex designs if needed

Performance and Size

• Keep total email size under 100KB
• Optimize images before base64 encoding
• Minimize CSS to reduce file size
• Avoid external dependencies

Accessibility

• Include alt text for images
• Use semantic HTML structure
• Ensure sufficient color contrast
• Test with screen readers

Mobile Optimization

• Use responsive design principles
• Test on mobile devices
• Ensure readable font sizes
• Make tap targets large enough

Troubleshooting

Template Not Applied

• Verify template file exists at expected location
• Check that template contains placeholder
• Ensure not using --plain flag when sending
• Validate HTML syntax

Images Not Showing

• Check that profile image file exists and is readable
• Verify image format is supported (JPG, PNG, GIF, WEBP)
• Ensure image file size is reasonable (under 1MB recommended)

Browser Preview Issues

• Check that default browser is configured
• Verify template file permissions
• Test opening file manually in browser

Template Saving Issues

• Ensure directory permissions allow file creation
• Check available disk space
• Verify file path is valid and accessible

Examples

Creating Company Template

mailos template --name company
# Paste your company HTML template
# Type "END" when finished
# Preview if desired
# Confirm save

Quick Browser Preview

mailos template --open-browser

Remove Old Template

mailos template --remove --name old-template

List Available Templates

mailos template
# Choose option 3

File Locations

Templates are stored in these locations based on your configuration:

• Local Project: .email/templates/[name].html (if .email directory exists)
• Global User: ~/.email/templates/[name].html (default location)

The system automatically creates the necessary directories when saving templates.