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spark-recipe-inbox-zero

Productivity
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Process inbox to zero using category-first triage: review by category, read threads, then archive, move, or mark done.

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Recipe: Inbox Zero

Process the inbox to zero using category-first triage. Work through categories in priority order, then take action on each email.

Prerequisite: Read the use-spark base skill for command reference and filter syntax.

Access level required: triage.

Steps

Step 1: Scan by category (use recipe-inbox-by-category)

Process inbox in priority order:

spark emails Inbox --filter "category:priority is:unread"
spark emails Inbox --filter "category:personal is:unread"
spark emails Inbox --filter "category:invitation"
spark emails Inbox --filter "category:notification is:unread"
spark emails Inbox --filter "category:newsletter newer_than:7d"

Step 2: Review and act on each email

For emails that need attention, read the thread:

spark thread <id>

Then decide the action:

Archive - handled or informational, no further action needed:

spark action archive <id>

Move to folder - needs filing:

spark action moveToFolder <id> --folder "user@example.com:Projects"

Mark as done - completed/resolved:

spark action markAsDone <id>

Pin - important, need to come back to:

spark action pin <id>

Snooze - not relevant now, revisit later:

spark action snooze <id> --date 2026-04-10

Set aside - save for later review:

spark action setAside <id>

Step 3: Batch process notifications and newsletters

For categories with many items, batch archive:

spark action archive <id1> <id2> <id3> <id4>

Step 4: Verify

spark emails Inbox --filter "is:unread"

Confirm the inbox is clear or report what's left.

Tips

  • Work through categories in order - don't jump to newsletters before handling people mail.
  • Batch archive is efficient for notifications: list them, confirm with the user, then archive all at once.
  • Pin or snooze items that need future attention rather than leaving them unread.
  • If an email needs a reply, use spark draft --reply-to <id> and then archive - the draft keeps the task alive.
  • If you spot miscategorized contacts while triaging, use spark contact-action changeCategory* to reclassify all future mail from that sender.