| name | notes-cli |
| description | Read, create, update, search, and delete Apple Notes using Markdown from the command line. |
Apple Notes CLI
A command-line interface for Apple Notes with full Markdown support. Converts between Markdown and Apple Notes' HTML format, preserving headings, lists, links, checkboxes, and more.
Installation
npm install
npm run build
Commands
List resources
notes list accounts
notes list folders
notes list notes
notes list notes --folder Notes
notes list notes --account iCloud --folder Notes
Read a note (outputs Markdown)
notes get "Note Title"
notes get "iCloud/Notes/My Note"
notes get "x-coredata://..."
Create a note (reads Markdown from stdin)
echo "# Hello World" | notes create Notes --title "My Note"
cat document.md | notes create Notes --title "Imported Doc" --account iCloud
Update a note (replaces content with Markdown from stdin)
echo "# Updated Content" | notes set "Note Title"
cat updated.md | notes set "iCloud/Notes/My Note"
Append to a note
echo "\n## New Section" | notes append "Note Title"
Find and replace text
notes replace "Note Title" "old text" "new text"
Delete a note
notes delete "Note Title"
notes delete "iCloud/Notes/My Note"
Search notes
notes search "query"
Markdown Features
Supported conversions (both directions)
- Headings (
#, ##, etc.) ↔ Apple Notes Title/Heading/Subheading
- Bold, italic, strikethrough
- Bullet lists, numbered lists
- Task lists (
- [ ], - [x]) ↔ Apple Notes checklists
- Links (preserved with underscores intact)
- Code blocks and inline code
- Blockquotes
- Tables (via GFM)
URL handling
- URLs in notes are output as autolinks:
<https://example.com>
- Underscores in URLs are preserved (no escaping)
Tips
- Use paths (
account/folder/title) for precise note targeting
- Pipe markdown files directly:
cat file.md | notes create Folder --title "Title"
- Combine with other tools:
notes get "My Note" | grep pattern
- JSON output coming soon for scripting
Troubleshooting
- Note not found: Check exact title spelling, or use path format
- Permission denied: Grant Terminal/app access to Notes in System Settings > Privacy
- Headings not styled: Delete and recreate the note (Apple Notes quirk with updates)