Skim
Skim is a free, open-source email client for Windows built with a native Rust core and WebView2 UI. It offers a minimalist interface focused only on essential email functions, local SQLite storage for offline use, instant search, and a built-in AI copilot that uses your own API key. The ~5MB installer requires no admin rights and avoids the complexity and subscriptions of mainstream email applications.
Overview
6 featuresIn the Email clients space, Skim takes a focused approach. It focuses on managing email without the bloat, distractions, and subscriptions of traditional clients. Skim is a consumer product aimed at windows users seeking a lightweight email client. The project is open source (MIT). It runs on the web and Windows.
Skim builds and maintains Skim, and it first shipped in 2026. Development happens publicly on GitHub with 18 stars and 167 commits in the last 90 days. Key capabilities include AI Copilot, offline-first, and Instant Search.
Summary written by a language model from the project’s public pages.
- AI Copilot
- Offline-first
- Instant Search
- Native Rust Core
- Minimalist UI
- IMAP Sync
Built with & integrations
- local_oss
- bollama in the HTML · bvllm in the HTML · studio in the HTML
Trust & compliance
Indexing history
1What PulseGate has recorded for this listing
- Indexed23 Jul · 21:36 UTCShow HN: Skim – a minimalist open-source email client for Windows (MIT) verified via Hacker News firehose (Algolia)Source: Hacker News firehose (Algolia) · Open
Frequently asked questions about Skim
- What is Skim?
- Skim focuses on managing email without the bloat, distractions, and subscriptions of traditional clients. It is catalogued under Email clients on PulseGate.
- Who should use Skim?
- Skim is a consumer product built for windows users seeking a lightweight email client.
- Does Skim have a free plan?
- Yes — Skim is open source under the MIT license and free to use.
- What platforms does Skim run on?
- Skim runs on the web and Windows.
- Is Skim still active?
- The GitHub repository shows 167 commits in the last 90 days.
- What projects are similar to Skim?
- Similar projects tracked by PulseGate include Proton Switch, Mailer, and Betterbird.Proton SwitchMailerBetterbird
- Who makes Skim?
- Skim is developed by Skim.
- How long has Skim been around?
- Skim first shipped in 2026.
Also in Email clients
Same category — not a similarity match