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Using the Inbox

The Messages module is ZeyOS's integrated email workspace. It combines personal or shared mailbox handling with templates, sent mail, drafts, and a dedicated Mailings mailbox for bulk communication.

Live messages overview
Live messages overview

What This Page Is For​

Use this page for day-to-day email communication: reading incoming mail, replying, composing new messages, organizing mailboxes, and handling routine message actions.

Inbox mailbox view showing received messages with sender, subject, and date columns
Inbox mailbox view showing received messages with sender, subject, and date columns

What the Live Module Looks Like​

Messages module list view with filters and mailbox navigation
Messages module list view with filters and mailbox navigation

In the live demo, the module includes:

  • a Mailserver action
  • a New Mailing action
  • time-based filters
  • List and Table views
  • mailbox navigation for Inbox, Drafts, Sent, Templates, Mailings, Archive, Deleted, and Trash / Abfall
  • bulk actions such as Delete, Archive, Reply all, Forward, Mark read, Mark unread, and Move

One important detail: depending on the last used context, the Messages module may open on a Mailings view rather than a classic inbox view. Users should understand that both belong to the same module.

Messages vs Mailings vs Templates​

  • Messages are the day-to-day individual emails you read and reply to.
  • Mailings are bulk or broadcast-style outbound messages managed inside the same module.
  • Templates are reusable starting points for recurring communication.

This distinction is critical because many users open the module, land on Mailings, and assume they are in a separate app.

Typical Inbox Workflow​

  1. Open Apps > Messages.
  2. Select the relevant mailbox in the right sidebar, usually Inbox for received mail.
  3. Use date or text filters to narrow the visible messages.
  4. Open a message, review its context, and reply, forward, archive, or move it as needed.
Open email view showing message content with reply, forward, and archive actions
Open email view showing message content with reply, forward, and archive actions
Composing a new email with recipient, subject, and body fields
Composing a new email with recipient, subject, and body fields

Organizing Messages​

Email selection with checkboxes for batch actions on multiple messages
Email selection with checkboxes for batch actions on multiple messages

The mailbox structure has clear purposes:

  • Inbox for received mail
  • Drafts for unfinished work
  • Sent for completed individual messages
  • Templates for reusable starting points
  • Mailings for bulk or broadcast communication
  • Archive for kept but inactive messages
  • Deleted and Trash for removal workflows

Message Actions That Need Clearer Training​

Delete and archive actions for removing or archiving selected messages
Delete and archive actions for removing or archiving selected messages
Filter bar for narrowing visible messages by date or keyword
Filter bar for narrowing visible messages by date or keyword

Users often need explicit guidance on these points:

  • Messages and Mailings live in one module, but they serve different communication styles.
  • Filtering by time period is built into the live module and should be used before manual searching through long mail histories.
  • Bulk actions are available directly from the list and can change multiple messages at once.

Best Practices​

  • Keep shared mailboxes clearly separated from personal mailboxes through server naming and sender discipline.
  • Move old but relevant messages to Archive instead of leaving them in active folders.
  • Use Templates for recurring replies or standard communication.
  • Use Mailing Lists when the same message must be sent to a managed distribution group.
Example of a reusable email template with pre-filled subject and body
Example of a reusable email template with pre-filled subject and body