check-mailbox

Check your agent mailbox for messages at session start and process any pending communications.

When to Use

Use this skill:

• At the start of every session (before beginning assigned work)
• When PM mentions you have messages
• When resuming after a break
• After another agent references sending you something

Procedure

Step 1: Check Your Inbox

ls mailboxes/{your-role-slug}/inbox/

Role slugs: arch, cio, lead, comms, ppm, cxo, host, docs, exec, spec

If empty: Note "Mailbox empty" in session log and proceed with assigned work.

If messages exist: Continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Read Each Message

For each file in inbox:

1. Read the full message
2. Note the headers:
   • From: Who sent it
   • Response-Requested: yes/no
   • Priority: high/medium/low
3. Understand what's being asked or communicated

Step 3: Process and Move

After reading each message:

mv mailboxes/{your-slug}/inbox/{filename} mailboxes/{your-slug}/read/

Why move? Messages in inbox/ = unread. Moving to read/ prevents re-reading next session.

Step 4: Handle Response-Requested

If Response-Requested: yes:

1. Create response in sender's inbox:

   mailboxes/{sender-slug}/inbox/{your-response-filename}.md
   

2. Use response format:

   # Re: [Original Subject]
   
   **From**: {your-slug}
   **To**: {sender-slug}
   **Date**: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM
   **In-Reply-To**: {original-filename}
   **Response-Requested**: no
   **Priority**: medium
   
   ---
   
   [Your response]
   

3. If you can't respond yet: Note in session log as pending action item.

Step 5: Note Action Items

In your session log, record:

• Messages received (count and from whom)
• Key decisions or information
• Any action items for this session
• Pending responses needed

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

Don't Do This	Why	Do This Instead
Skip mailbox check	Miss important context or assignments	Always check at session start
Leave messages in inbox	Re-read same messages next session	Move to read/ after processing
Ignore Response-Requested	Sender waiting indefinitely	Respond or note as pending
Read but don't log	No record of what you learned	Note key points in session log

Example: Full Mailbox Check

# 1. Check inbox
ls mailboxes/docs/inbox/
# Output: memo-cio-skill-response-2026-01-21.md

# 2. Read message
# [Use Read tool on the file]

# 3. Move to read/
mv mailboxes/docs/inbox/memo-cio-skill-response-2026-01-21.md mailboxes/docs/read/

# 4. If Response-Requested: yes, create response in sender's inbox
# [Create response file in mailboxes/cio/inbox/]

# 5. Log in session log:
# "### 8:00 AM - Mailbox Check
# - Received 1 message from CIO re: skill adoption
# - Decision: Approved with guidance
# - Action: Proceed with Tier 1 skills"

Example: Empty Mailbox

# 1. Check inbox
ls mailboxes/lead/inbox/
# Output: (empty)

# 2. Log in session log:
# "### 9:00 AM - Mailbox Check
# - Mailbox empty, no pending messages"

Quality Checklist

After checking mailbox:

• Listed inbox contents
• Read all messages
• Moved all to read/ folder
• Created responses where Response-Requested: yes
• Noted messages in session log
• Identified action items for session

Reference

• Mailbox system docs: mailboxes/README.md
• Message format: See README for full header spec
• Role slugs: arch, cio, ceo, lead, comms, ppm, cxo, host, exec, spec, docs