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The missing CLI for Apple Reminders - with section support and iCloud sync

18 stars TypeScriptOthers Updated Aug 24, 2026

Documentation

remi

The CLI that Apple should have built for Reminders.

Create lists, add reminders, organize them into sections, and have everything sync across all your Apple devices — from the terminal.

Why remi?

  • Sections with iCloud sync — the only CLI that supports Apple Reminders sections. Create them, assign reminders, move between them, and it all syncs.
  • Natural language — `--due "next tuesday"`, `--repeat "every 2 weeks on monday,friday"`
  • Fuzzy matching — type `remi list shopping` instead of `remi list "Groceries / Shopping List"`
  • Agent-first — structured JSON output, Claude Code plugin, skills.sh skill, OpenClaw compatible
  • Fast — compiled Swift helpers, no Electron, no GUI

vs other tools

remiremindctlreminders-cli
SectionsYesNoNo
Section sync (iCloud)YesN/AN/A
RecurrenceYesYesNo
Natural language datesYesYesNo
JSON outputYesYesNo
AI agent integrationYesPartialNo

Install

bash
brew tap mattheworiordan/tap && brew install remi

Or via npm:

bash
npm install -g @mattheworiordan/remi
# or run without installing
npx @mattheworiordan/remi lists

Quick start

bash
remi lists                                              # See all lists
remi list "Groceries"                                   # View a list (fuzzy: remi list groceries)
remi add "Groceries" "Buy milk" --section "Dairy"       # Add to a section
remi today                                              # What's due today?
remi complete "Groceries" "milk"                        # Fuzzy complete

Usage

Check what's due

bash
remi today                    # Due today
remi overdue                  # Past due
remi upcoming --days 7        # Coming up
remi search "dentist"         # Search across all lists

Manage reminders

bash
remi add "Work" "Review PR" --due "next friday" --priority high
remi add "Work" "Standup" --due tomorrow --repeat daily
remi complete "Work" "standup"
remi update "Work" "Review PR" --due "in 3 days"
remi delete "Work" "Review PR" --confirm

Dates: `tomorrow`, `next tuesday`, `in 3 days`, or `YYYY-MM-DD`

Recurrence: `daily`, `weekly`, `monthly`, `every 2 weeks`, `every 3 months on monday,friday`

Organize with sections

bash
remi sections "Groceries"                                # List sections
remi create-section "Groceries" "Produce"                # Create a section
remi add "Groceries" "Bananas" --section "Produce"       # Add to a section
remi move "Groceries" "Bananas" --to-section "Dairy"     # Move between sections

Sections sync to iCloud via CRDT vector clocks. See how it works.

JSON output

Every command supports `--json` for machine-readable output:

bash
remi today --json
# {"success": true, "data": [...]}

AI agent integration

remi is designed for AI agents. Use it as an MCP server, Claude Code plugin, or skill:

MCP server

json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "remi": {
      "command": "remi",
      "args": ["--mcp"]
    }
  }
}

16 tools: `remi_lists`, `remi_add`, `remi_complete`, `remi_move`, `remi_today`, `remi_search`, and more — all with fuzzy matching and structured responses.

Other integrations

bash
# Claude Code plugin
claude plugin marketplace add mattheworiordan/remi

# skills.sh
npx skills add mattheworiordan/remi

# OpenClaw
clawhub install remi

Permissions

On first run, macOS will ask you to grant Reminders access (click Allow). Section features also need Full Disk Access for your terminal app.

bash
remi authorize    # Guides you through both
remi doctor       # Shows what's granted

Requirements

  • macOS 13+ (Ventura or later)
  • Node.js 18+
  • Xcode Command Line Tools (`xcode-select --install`)

How it works

remi uses three layers because Apple never exposed sections in their public API:

LayerWhatWhy
EventKitReminder CRUD, queries, recurrenceStable public API
ReminderKitSection CRUDPrivate framework — only way to create sections that sync
SQLite + Token MapsSection membershipDirect database writes with CRDT vector clocks for iCloud sync

The full reverse-engineering story explains what we discovered about Apple's undocumented sync architecture.

Contributing

bash
git clone https://github.com/mattheworiordan/remi.git && cd remi
npm install && npm run build:swift && npm run build
npm test                        # Unit tests
npm run test:integration        # Integration tests (needs Reminders access)

License

MIT — Matthew O'Riordan

Frequently asked questions

What is remi?

remi is The missing CLI for Apple Reminders - with section support and iCloud sync

How do I install remi?

Open the GitHub repository and follow its README. Most MCP servers are added to your client's MCP config, then called by your agent.

Is remi open source?

Yes — it is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/mattheworiordan/remi and has 18 stars.

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