---
title: The unified inbox
description: "Views, folders, search, threaded conversations, and message actions in the Mailtidy unified inbox."
---

> **For AI agents:** the complete documentation index is at [llms.txt](/llms.txt). Append `.md` to any page URL for its markdown version.

Everything lands in one newest-first stream. The left sidebar switches what you're looking
at; the middle pane is the message list; the right pane reads the selected conversation.

## Views

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="All inboxes" icon="inbox">
    Your default view — the INBOX of every connected account, merged and sorted newest-first.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Unread" icon="envelope">
    Only messages you haven't read yet, across all accounts.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Archived" icon="box-archive">
    Mail you've archived (moved out of the inbox but kept).
  </Card>
  <Card title="Trash" icon="trash">
    Deleted mail, still recoverable. Restore it, or delete it forever.
  </Card>
</Columns>

You can also filter the stream to a **single account** from the sidebar.

## Folders

Beyond the inbox, Mailtidy syncs your other IMAP folders. The **Folders** section lists the
kinds of mail you have — Sent, Drafts, Junk, Archive, and custom folders — and selecting one
filters the stream to it across every account.

<Note>
**All inboxes** stays INBOX-only on purpose, so Sent and Junk never flood your main stream.
Reach those from the Folders section when you want them.
</Note>

## Search

Press <kbd>/</kbd> or click the search bar and start typing. Search runs full-text across all
your non-trash mail from every account, newest matches first. Clear the box to return to your
current view.

## Conversations

Replies are grouped into threaded conversations. The list shows the newest message in each
thread with a count; opening it shows every message in the thread, oldest first.

## Message actions

While reading a message you can:

| Action | What it does |
|--------|--------------|
| Mark read / unread | Flags the message `\Seen` (or clears it) on the server. |
| Archive / Unarchive | Moves the message out of (or back into) your inbox on the server. |
| Delete | Moves the message to Trash — recoverable. |
| Restore | Moves a trashed message back to the inbox. |
| Delete forever | Permanently removes the message from Trash. |
| Reply | Opens a reply from the receiving account, quoting the original. |

<Info>
These are **real IMAP operations**. Because sync is two-way, a change you make in another
mail app — reading, archiving, or deleting — is reflected in Mailtidy automatically.
</Info>

## Appearance

Mailtidy ships light and dark themes. Choose **Light**, **Dark**, or **System** (follows your
OS) under **Settings → Appearance**.

<Tip>
Most of this is faster from the keyboard. See [Keyboard shortcuts](/keyboard-shortcuts).
</Tip>