Matcha

What Matcha is
Matcha is an open-source email client for the terminal, built with Go and the Bubble Tea TUI library. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted setups, with desktop coverage and offline access. The client reads, replies to, deletes, and archives messages, while Markdown composition supports rich formatting. Multiple accounts, contacts, saved drafts, calendar tools, color-coding, and focus management support inbox work in its responsive tabbed interface. Matcha includes command-line email tools, AI draft rewriting with a preferred model, and AI-agent email sending. Lua plugins extend the client; its built-in system offers more than 35 community plugins through an online marketplace. Setup guides cover Gmail, iCloud, and Outlook. Listed security features include PGP, encryption, and S/MIME. An optional macOS menu bar helper displays unread counts and native notifications. Matcha uses the MIT License. The maker lists no paid plan or trial.
Who it suits
Matcha suits people who want command-line email management across desktop operating systems or self-hosted setups. It also fits users seeking Markdown composition, multiple accounts, offline access, and Lua extensions.
What it does well
- Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted setups
- Offline access
- Supports multiple email accounts
- More than 35 community plugins
- PGP, encryption, and S/MIME listed
What to know first
- Terminal-focused interface
- Only the latest release receives security updates
- No paid plan or trial listed
Verdict
Matcha combines terminal email handling with Markdown writing, account management, offline use, and extensibility. Its AI tools, plugin marketplace, and provider guides add options, while security support is limited to the latest release.
Facts from Matcha's own pages
- Accounts and contacts
- Matcha supports multiple accounts and includes contact management. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- AI and plugins
- The documentation lists AI draft rewriting, AI agent email sending, and Lua plugins. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- App coverage
- desktop · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Calendar tools
- Yes · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
- CLI and AI
- Matcha includes command-line email tools, AI agent support for sending email, and draft rewriting with users’ preferred AI models. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Composition
- Users can write emails in Markdown with rich formatting support. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Drafts
- Users can save unfinished emails and return to them later. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Email features
- The documentation lists reading, replying to, deleting, and archiving emails, plus Markdown composition with rich formatting. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Email management
- It supports reading, replying to, deleting, and archiving emails. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Email providers
- The documentation links setup guides for Gmail, iCloud, and Outlook. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Email provider setup
- The documentation provides setup guides for Gmail, iCloud, and Outlook. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- Matcha can be extended with Lua plugins. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The maker describes Matcha as a way to check an inbox or send email from the command line. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Interface
- The interface is responsive and tabbed, with color-coding and focus management. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is released under the MIT License. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- macOS helper
- The repository describes an optional macOS menu bar helper that shows unread counts and posts native notifications for new mail. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Multiple accounts
- Matcha supports managing multiple email accounts. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Plugin marketplace
- The repository says Matcha has a built-in plugin system with 35+ community plugins and an online marketplace. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Pricing
- The opened maker pages did not state a price, paid plan, or trial. · matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Matcha is an email client for the terminal, built with Go and the Bubble Tea TUI library. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security features
- The documentation lists PGP, encryption, and S/MIME among its features. · docs.matcha.email, 12 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities privately by email and says reports will be acknowledged within 48 hours, with a fix or mitigation plan targeted within 7 days depending on severity. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security support window
- The security policy says only the latest Matcha release receives security updates. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Matcha stands on Freedom251
- Email clients#88 of 142