Command syntax
An optional shorthand for asking Airbox to do something specific. You never have to use it — a plain forward works on its own.
Remember - This is meant to be helpful, but you don't need any of this to start using Airbox
Forward an email with no command and Airbox summarizes it and lists action items. The symbols below are for when you want something specific — translate it, draft a reply, file it somewhere, process an attachment a certain way, etc. Add them only when you need them.
Where Airbox reads your instruction
Airbox splits every email into two parts: your instruction (what to do) and the content (what to read). Only a small trusted surface can carry commands — not the whole email body or thread.
- Regular email (compose, BCC, reply): put commands in the subject, on the first body line, or inside a
(* … *)block at the top - Forwarded email: the
Fwd:subject is never your command — put a(* … *)block or a sigilled line above the forwarded message (see Forwarding) - Plain writing like “Hi team, see below” is never treated as an instruction — even on the first line
- Quoted replies, signatures, and forwarded thread text are always content, never commands
Subject: @claude #summarize —or at the top of the body:— (* @claude #summarize *) Everything outside the trusted surface is just email.
The symbols
Each symbol below is a small shorthand you can add on the instruction line. Mix and match — order doesn't matter, and every one is optional.
| Symbol | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (* … *) | Marks a line as an instruction (best for forwards) | (* @claude #summarize *) |
| @name | Pick which AI or tool handles it | @claude, @notion/Tasks |
| #word | A built-in shortcut for a common task | #summarize, #translate(Spanish) |
| +name | Attach a saved instruction set (a Context) | +legal-style |
| $name | Run a saved command shortcut (a macro, Pro+) | $daily |
| "…" | A phrase with spaces, e.g. a page title | add to "Q3 Launch" |
| (…) | An option for the word before it | #translate(French) |
| -option | A small modifier or flag for the verb | -short, -lang=es |
| !word | Controls behavior, like turning the reply off | !noreply, !thread |
| /place | Point to a specific place inside a tool | @notion/Tasks/Q3 |
| plain words | Your own instruction, alongside the symbols | @claude summarize the dates |
Built-in #commands
A #word is a ready-made shortcut for a common task — so you don't have to spell out the instruction every time. The most-used ones: #summarize, #extract, #reply, #rewrite, #translate, and more.
See #commands for the full list and what each one does.
If you do nothing
Forward an email with no instruction at all and Airbox summarizes it and pulls out any action items automatically. The symbols are only there for when you want more.
Learn more
- Examples — real emails you can copy
- @target — choosing which AI or tool handles it
- #commands — the full list of shortcuts
- Flags and Directives — fine-tuning the result