--- name: ravi-email-writing description: Best practices for writing high-quality emails that look professional and avoid spam filters. Reference this before composing, replying, or forwarding emails with ravi-email-send. --- # Email Writing Guide Write emails that look like they came from a real person — not an AI. Good email hygiene improves deliverability, avoids spam filters, and gets responses. ## Subject Lines - **40-60 characters** — long subjects get truncated on mobile - **Be specific** — "Q3 metrics review for Acme project" beats "Update" - **No ALL CAPS** — spam filters penalize this heavily - **Avoid spam triggers** — "free", "act now", "limited time", "click here", "urgent", "guaranteed", "no obligation" - **Match the tone** — casual for teammates, professional for external contacts ## HTML Body Structure The `--body` argument in `ravi email compose` accepts HTML. Always use semantic tags — never pass plain text. **Note:** `--subject` is only used with the compose command. Reply and forward commands auto-derive the subject from the original message (prepending `Re:` or `Fwd:`). **Do this:** ```html
Opening line that states the purpose.
Supporting details in a second paragraph.
Closing with a clear next step or ask.
Best,
IDENTITY_NAME
` tags - Use `
` tags instead - Get the identity name with: `ravi auth status` ## Recommended Template Copy-paste starting point for most emails: ```bash ravi email compose \ --to "recipient@example.com" \ --subject "Specific subject under 60 chars" \ --body "
Hi Alex,
I'm reaching out about [specific topic]. [One sentence of context.]
[Core message — what you need, what you're sharing, or what you're asking.]
[Clear next step — what should the recipient do?]
Best,
YOUR_NAME
` tag
- **Get to the point** — state your purpose in the first sentence
- **End with an action item** — "Can you review by Friday?" not "Let me know your thoughts"
- **No filler phrases** — cut "I hope this email finds you well", "Just wanted to touch base", "Per our previous conversation"
- **No robotic language** — cut "I am writing to inform you", "Please be advised", "Kindly note"
- **Match the thread tone** — if they're casual, be casual. If they're formal, be formal.
## Anti-Spam Essentials
These rules help your emails land in the inbox, not spam:
- **High text-to-HTML ratio** — more words, fewer tags. Don't over-format.
- **No link shorteners** — use full URLs. Spam filters distrust bit.ly, t.co, etc.
- **Max 2-3 links per email** — more links = higher spam score
- **No ALL CAPS** — not even for emphasis. Use `` instead.
- **No image-only emails** — always include text content
- **One topic per email** — don't cram multiple requests into one message
- **Don't repeat yourself** — saying the same thing in different words triggers spam heuristics
## Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it's bad | Do this instead |
|---------|-------------|-----------------|
| Plain text in `--body` | Renders as one blob, no formatting | Wrap everything in ` ` tags |
| ` ` tags |
| "Dear Sir/Madam" | Outdated, signals mass email | Use the recipient's name or "Hi there" |
| Wall of text | Nobody reads long emails | Break into 2-3 short paragraphs |
| "Click here" links | Spam trigger, bad accessibility | `descriptive text` |
| Empty or vague subject | Low open rates, looks like spam | Be specific: "Invoice #1234 for January" |
| Excessive HTML styling | High tag-to-text ratio triggers filters | Keep formatting minimal |
| No signature | Looks impersonal, unprofessional | Sign with identity name |
| "Sent by AI" disclaimers | Undermines trust, unnecessary | Just write naturally |
## Related Skills
- **ravi-email-send** — CLI commands for compose, reply, reply-all, and forward
- **ravi-inbox** — Read incoming email to understand what you're replying to
- **ravi-identity** — Get your identity name for email signatures
- **ravi-feedback** — Tell the Ravi team if email deliverability could be better
` chains | Looks spammy, inconsistent spacing | Use separate `