remi
The missing CLI for Apple Reminders - with section support and iCloud sync
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
| remi | remindctl | reminders-cli | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sections | Yes | No | No |
| Section sync (iCloud) | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Recurrence | Yes | Yes | No |
| Natural language dates | Yes | Yes | No |
| JSON output | Yes | Yes | No |
| AI agent integration | Yes | Partial | No |
Install
brew tap mattheworiordan/tap && brew install remiOr via npm:
npm install -g @mattheworiordan/remi
# or run without installing
npx @mattheworiordan/remi listsQuick start
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 completeUsage
Check what's due
remi today # Due today
remi overdue # Past due
remi upcoming --days 7 # Coming up
remi search "dentist" # Search across all listsManage reminders
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" --confirmDates: `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
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 sectionsSections sync to iCloud via CRDT vector clocks. See how it works.
JSON output
Every command supports `--json` for machine-readable output:
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
{
"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
# Claude Code plugin
claude plugin marketplace add mattheworiordan/remi
# skills.sh
npx skills add mattheworiordan/remi
# OpenClaw
clawhub install remiPermissions
On first run, macOS will ask you to grant Reminders access (click Allow). Section features also need Full Disk Access for your terminal app.
remi authorize # Guides you through both
remi doctor # Shows what's grantedRequirements
- 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:
| Layer | What | Why |
|---|---|---|
| EventKit | Reminder CRUD, queries, recurrence | Stable public API |
| ReminderKit | Section CRUD | Private framework — only way to create sections that sync |
| SQLite + Token Maps | Section membership | Direct 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
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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