Composing Email

Gaivota's compose window makes it easy to write and format emails.

Creating a New Email

Press c to open a new compose window.

Fill in the fields:

• To: Type recipient email addresses (autocomplete will suggest contacts)
• Subject: Enter a subject line
• Body: Write your message

Adding Recipients

As you type in the To field, Gaivota suggests contacts based on:

• Your previous recipients
• Email addresses from your accounts

Press Tab or Enter to select a suggestion.

To add multiple recipients, separate them with commas or press Enter after each one.

Cc and Bcc

Click "Cc" or "Bcc" to reveal those fields:

• Cc: Carbon copy - recipients can see each other
• Bcc: Blind carbon copy - recipients are hidden from each other

Replying to Emails

Shortcut	Action
r	Reply to sender
a	Reply to all recipients
f	Forward email

When replying:

• The To field is pre-filled
• The subject includes "Re:" prefix
• The original message is quoted below your reply

Reply All

Press a to reply to everyone on the email (sender and all recipients). Use this for group conversations.

Forward

Press f to forward an email. The original message is included, and you can add your own comments above it.

Rich Text Formatting

The compose window includes a formatting toolbar:

Tool	Description
B	Bold text
I	Italic text
U	Underlined text
A (color)	Text color
List	Bullet list
Numbers	Numbered list
Link	Insert hyperlink
Table	Insert table
Image	Insert image

Text Formatting

Select text and click a formatting button, or use shortcuts:

Shortcut	Format
⌘+B	Bold
⌘+I	Italic
⌘+U	Underline

Creating Lists

Click the bullet or numbered list button to start a list. Press Enter for new items, Enter twice to exit the list.

Inserting Tables

1. Click the table button
2. Select the number of rows and columns
3. Fill in the cells

Tables are useful for structured information like schedules or comparisons.

Adding Links

1. Select the text you want to link
2. Click the link button (or press ⌘+K)
3. Enter the URL
4. Press Enter to confirm

Adding Attachments

To attach files:

1. Click the attachment button (paperclip icon)
2. Select files from your computer
3. Files appear below the compose area

Or drag and drop files directly into the compose window.

Inserting Images

For images that appear inline in your email (not as attachments):

1. Click the image button
2. Select an image file
3. The image appears in your email body

Sending Email

When you're ready to send:

• Press ⌘+Enter (Ctrl+Enter on Windows/Linux)
• Or click the Send button

Before Sending

Review your email for:

• Correct recipients
• Appropriate subject line
• Any missing attachments (if you mentioned one)

Saving Drafts

Gaivota automatically saves drafts as you type.

To manually save a draft:

• Press ⌘+S
• Or close the compose window - you'll be prompted to save

Find your drafts in the Drafts folder (g d to navigate there).

Discarding a Draft

To discard without saving:

1. Close the compose window
2. Click "Discard" when prompted

Or press Escape and confirm.

Tips

Writing Effective Emails

• Keep subject lines clear and specific
• Get to the point quickly
• Use formatting sparingly
• Proofread before sending

Keyboard Efficiency

Stay in flow with these shortcuts:

1. Press c to compose
2. Type recipient (use autocomplete)
3. Press Tab to move to Subject
4. Press Tab to move to Body
5. Write your message
6. Press ⌘+Enter to send