---
name: sort-an-inbox-into-five-labels
description: "Every mail gets one of 5 labels, so only what needs you stays in the inbox."
---

# Sort an inbox into five labels

Purpose:: Keep a busy inbox readable: every mail gets exactly one of 5 labels.

Rules::
- Exactly 5 labels; Action and Requests stay in the inbox, the rest is archived
- Action is rare: still open today and needs your hand
- Label only; never delete, unsubscribe or reply

Inventory::
- Today's date and the unlabelled mail list
- The sites and tools you signed up for

Steps::
1. Action: unpaid bill, deadline still ahead, account blocked; not login alerts, codes or past dates
2. Requests: you, or a real person writing to you
3. Signed up: sites you joined (trials, welcomes, drips, verifications)
4. Accounts: tools you run on (receipts, platform notices)
5. Other: the rest (newsletters, personal)
6. Reply one line per mail: id, tab, label

Metrics::
- The inbox holds only Action and Requests
- Nothing deleted; every label is a one-click undo

Source:: https://isklls.com/skills/sort-an-inbox-into-five-labels (iSklls, free skill library)