msg2eml

Converts Microsoft Outlook .msg files to standard .eml format (MIME).

Requirements

• macOS
• Python 3.10+

Installation

git clone <repo>
cd msg2eml

python3 -m venv .venv
.venv/bin/pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

# Single file (output saved next to the source)
.venv/bin/python msg2eml.py letter.msg

# Single file with explicit output path
.venv/bin/python msg2eml.py letter.msg ~/Desktop/letter.eml

# Entire directory
.venv/bin/python msg2eml.py ./msgs/ --output-dir ./emls/

Finder Integration (context menu)

Finder runs Quick Actions in a sandboxed shell that blocks source, so a wrapper in /usr/local/bin/ is used to call the venv Python directly.

1. Install the command:

./install_cmd.sh    # install
./uninstall_cmd.sh  # remove

This creates /usr/local/bin/msg2eml with a hardcoded path to the current project's venv Python. Re-run if you move the project to a different folder.

2. Add a Quick Action in Automator:

1. Open Automator → New Document → Quick Action
2. Set at the top: Workflow receives files and folders in Finder
3. Add a Run Shell Script action
4. Shell: /bin/zsh, Pass input: as arguments
5. Script body:

   /usr/local/bin/msg2eml "$@"

6. Save as Convert to EML

In Finder: right-click any .msg file → Quick Actions → Convert to EML.
A system notification will appear when conversion is complete.

If the Quick Action does not appear, restart Finder:
Option + right-click the Finder icon in the Dock → Relaunch