Helps with SaneBox — an AI email filtering service that works server-side via IMAP to sort low-priority emails into smart folders. Works with any email provider (Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Yahoo, Fastmail, any IMAP). Reads metadata only, never stores email content.
Step 1 — Gather context
If references/learnings.md exists, read it first for accumulated platform knowledge.
Ask the user:
- What are you trying to do with SaneBox?
- A) Set up SaneBox for the first time
- B) Fix filtering (important emails going to SaneLater)
- C) Block unwanted senders (SaneBlackHole)
- D) Configure snooze, reminders, or custom folders
- E) Compare SaneBox to alternatives
- F) Something else — describe it
-
Which email provider(s)?
- A) Gmail / Google Workspace
- B) Outlook / Microsoft 365
- C) Apple iCloud
- D) Other IMAP (Fastmail, Yahoo, etc.)
- E) Multiple providers
-
Which plan are you on (or considering)?
- A) Snack ($7/mo) — 1 account, 2 features
- B) Lunch ($12/mo) — 2 accounts, 6 features
- C) Dinner ($36/mo) — 4 accounts, all features
- D) Not sure / evaluating
If the user's request already provides most of this context, skip directly to the relevant step.
Step 2 — Route or answer directly
| If the question is about... | Route to... |
|---|---|
| AI-drafted email replies in your voice | /sales-fyxer {question} or /sales-superhuman {question} |
| Full AI email client (keyboard workflow, speed) | /sales-superhuman {question} |
| AI-native Gmail client (AI filters, Ghostwriter) | /sales-shortwave {question} |
| Action item extraction from emails | /sales-unboxd {question} |
| AI executive assistant (calendar + tasks + email) | /sales-alfred {question} |
| Meeting note-taking or call recording | /sales-note-taker {question} |
For SaneBox-specific questions, continue to Step 3.
Step 3 — SaneBox platform reference
Read references/platform-guide.md for the full platform reference — capabilities, pricing, smart folders, training, and comparison data.
Answer the user's question using only the relevant section. Don't dump the full reference.
Step 4 — Actionable guidance
You no longer need the platform guide — focus on the user's specific situation.
- For mislabeled emails: Drag emails back to Inbox — SaneBox retrains. Allow 1-2 weeks of corrections.
- For SaneBlackHole issues: Verify the sender is dragged into the SaneBlackHole folder (not just deleted). Check the 7-day review period hasn't been bypassed.
- For folder clutter: Disable unused Sane folders from the SaneBox dashboard (Settings → Folders). Folder removal takes 5-30 minutes to propagate.
- For plan selection: Start with Snack ($7/mo) for one account. Upgrade to Lunch ($12/mo) for reminders and a second account. Dinner ($36/mo) only if you need 4 accounts and SaneAttachments.
If you discover a gotcha, workaround, or tip not covered in references/learnings.md, append it there.
Gotchas
Best-effort from research — review these, especially items about plan-gated features and billing that may be outdated.
- No API, no webhooks, no Zapier/Make. SaneBox is entirely server-side — it creates IMAP folders and moves emails. No developer integration surface whatsoever.
- Not an email client. SaneBox works behind your existing email client. It doesn't replace Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail — it just sorts emails into folders.
- No AI drafting. SaneBox filters and sorts only. If you need AI-written replies, pair with Superhuman, Fyxer, or Shortwave.
- Feature count is plan-gated. Snack gives you only 2 features to choose from. SaneReminders requires Lunch ($12/mo). SaneAttachments requires Dinner ($36/mo).
- Metadata only. SaneBox reads sender, subject, and date headers — never email body content. Training is based on your folder-move behavior, not message content analysis.
- Folders persist after cancellation. SaneBox folders may reappear in Outlook and Apple Mail after unsubscribing. Manual folder deletion required.
- 14-day trial. Free trial available; confirm whether credit card is required before signing up. 25% discount for education, nonprofit, and government.
- Self-improving: If you discover something not covered here, append it to
references/learnings.mdwith today's date.
Related skills
/sales-mailman— Mailman Gmail plugin (email batching, Do Not Disturb, unknown sender blocking, $8-10/mo). Install:npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-mailman -a claude-code/sales-fyxer— Fyxer AI email assistant (inbox organization, AI drafting, meeting notes). Install:npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-fyxer -a claude-code/sales-superhuman— Superhuman email client (keyboard-driven, MCP server, CRM integrations). Install:npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-superhuman -a claude-code/sales-shortwave— Shortwave AI-native Gmail client (AI filters, Ghostwriter, MCP consumer). Install:npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-shortwave -a claude-code/sales-inbox-zero— Inbox Zero open-source AI email assistant (auto-labeling, rules API/CLI, self-hostable, $18/mo or free). Install:npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-inbox-zero -a claude-code/sales-clean-email— Clean Email inbox cleanup (bulk actions, Auto Clean rules, Unsubscriber, $29.99/yr). Install:npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-clean-email -a claude-code/sales-unboxd— Unboxd AI email secretary (action item extraction, daily briefings)/sales-unrollme— Unroll.me free newsletter unsubscribe and digest (data-funded, not available in EU). Install:npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-unrollme -a claude-code/sales-alfred— alfred_ AI executive assistant (email triage, reply drafting, task extraction)/sales-do— Not sure which skill to use? The router matches any sales objective to the right skill. Install:npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-do -a claude-code
Examples
Example 1: Important client emails ending up in SaneLater
User says: "My client emails keep going to SaneLater instead of my inbox. How do I fix this?" Skill does:
- Reads platform guide for training mechanism
- Explains SaneBox learns from behavior — drag the misfiltered emails from SaneLater back to Inbox
- Notes retraining takes 1-2 weeks of consistent corrections
- Suggests checking if existing email server rules/filters are conflicting with SaneBox
- If the client is a new contact, explains SaneBox defaults unknown senders to SaneLater until trained Result: Step-by-step retraining guidance with realistic timeline
Example 2: Comparing SaneBox vs Superhuman for inbox management
User says: "Should I use SaneBox or Superhuman to manage email overload?" Skill does:
- Reads platform guide comparison section
- Explains core difference: SaneBox is a background filter (any email client, any provider, $7/mo), Superhuman is a replacement email client (Gmail/Outlook only, $25+/mo)
- SaneBox is better if: you love your current email client, use non-Gmail/Outlook providers, want the cheapest option
- Superhuman is better if: you want AI drafting, keyboard-driven speed, CRM integration, MCP for Claude Code
- Notes they can be used together — SaneBox filters in the background, Superhuman as your email client Result: Clear comparison with recommendation based on needs and budget
Example 3: Automating inbox triage with SaneBox (developer question)
User says: "Can I use the SaneBox API to build an email triage pipeline?" Skill does:
- Reads platform guide and API reference
- Explains SaneBox has no public API, no webhooks, and no Zapier/Make integration
- Notes the only "integration" is IMAP folder manipulation — SaneBox creates folders, you can read them via IMAP
- Suggests workaround: use IMAP library (Python imaplib, Node.js imap) to monitor SaneLater folder contents programmatically
- If user needs full API access, recommends alternatives: Superhuman MCP server, or building custom filtering with Gmail API + AI Result: Honest "no API" answer with practical IMAP workaround and alternatives
Troubleshooting
Important emails going to SaneLater
Symptom: Client emails, time-sensitive messages, or emails from known contacts keep landing in SaneLater Cause: SaneBox learns from behavior patterns. New contacts, infrequent senders, or contacts you rarely respond to quickly get routed to SaneLater. Solution: Drag mislabeled emails from SaneLater back to Inbox — this retrains SaneBox. Be consistent for 1-2 weeks. Check your SaneBox dashboard for a "whitelist" or VIP sender option. Verify no email server rules or filters are interfering.
SaneBlackHole not blocking sender / emails still arriving
Symptom: You dragged a sender into SaneBlackHole but still receive their emails Cause: SaneBlackHole has a 7-day review period before permanent deletion. The sender may also be sending from multiple addresses or domains. Email server-level rules may be overriding SaneBox. Solution: Check the SaneBlackHole folder for the 7-day review queue. Verify you dragged the email (not just deleted it). If the sender uses multiple addresses, blackhole each one. Check that no server-side rules are moving emails before SaneBox processes them.
SaneBox folders reappearing after removal
Symptom: Deleted SaneLater/SaneNews folders keep coming back in Outlook or Apple Mail Cause: SaneBox recreates its folders via IMAP. Deleting them client-side doesn't tell SaneBox to stop. This is the most common uninstall complaint. Solution: Disable folders from the SaneBox dashboard (not your email client). Go to Settings → Folders and toggle off unwanted folders. If you've cancelled SaneBox entirely, contact support@sanebox.com to fully remove server-side folders. Folder changes take 5-30 minutes to propagate.