Getting started
Kestrel Mail is built around a native three-column Mac layout: mailboxes in the sidebar, conversations in the list, and the selected message or thread in the detail pane.
- Add accounts from Settings > Accounts.
- Use Unified Inbox when you want one inbox across accounts.
- Open Compose to start a new message, then choose the sending account from the From picker when needed.
Everyday shortcuts
Kestrel follows Gmail-style message shortcuts where they fit naturally on macOS, and uses standard Mac shortcuts for app-level actions and search.
- j: next conversation
- k: previous conversation
- o: open the selected conversation
- c: compose a new message
- r: reply
- a: reply all
- f: forward
- e: archive
- Delete or #: move to trash
- !: mark as junk or not junk
- s: star or unstar
- ⇧I: mark as read
- ⇧U: mark as unread
Search and navigation
- /: jump to the mailbox search field
- ⌘⇧F: search mailboxes
- ⌘F: find inside the current message
- ⌘G: find next in the current message
- ⌘⇧G: find previous in the current message
- ⌘I: go to Inbox
- ⌘⇧S: go to Starred
- ⌘R: refresh the current mailbox
Mailbox search supports plain keywords as well as typed operators like from:, to:, and has:attachment.
Compose basics
Compose is designed to stay out of your way while still feeling like a native Mac editor. You can keep drafting while moving around the app, switch the sending account, reveal Cc and Bcc, and drag recipients between fields.
- ⌘↩: send the current message
- ⌘B: bold
- ⌘I: italic
- ⌘U: underline
- ⌘K: insert link
- ⌘⇧X: strikethrough
- ⌘⇧7: numbered list
- ⌘⇧8: bulleted list
- ⌘⇧9: quote block
- ⌘⇧C: monospace or code style
- ⌘⇧\: clear formatting
Attachments and message viewing
Kestrel supports common Mac attachment workflows directly in the message view. Cached attachments stay available offline when possible.
- Press Space to Quick Look the selected attachment.
- Use the attachment menu to Open, Open With, Share, or save it.
- You can save directly through a save panel or send files to Downloads.
Settings and account management
Open Settings with ⌘, to manage accounts, general preferences, viewing behavior, rules, and advanced options. Account setup and server reconfiguration both live in the Accounts area.