diff --git a/src/components/dashboard/dashboard.tsx b/src/components/dashboard/dashboard.tsx
index d052a4e..cdf5fb8 100644
--- a/src/components/dashboard/dashboard.tsx
+++ b/src/components/dashboard/dashboard.tsx
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import { Rules } from "./rules";
 import { AiAssistant } from "./ai-assistant";
 import { TeamManagement } from "./team-management";
 import { Messenger } from "./messenger";
+import { Mail } from "./mail";
 import { Inbox } from "./inbox";
 import "../../app/dashboard/dashboard.css";
 
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ export function Dashboard() {
               : active === "rules" ? <Rules />
               : active === "ai" ? <AiAssistant />
               : active === "messenger" ? <Messenger />
+              : active === "mail" ? <Mail />
               : active === "inbox" ? <Inbox />
               : active === "team" ? <TeamManagement />
               : <ComingSoon title={title} icon={item?.icon ?? "dashboard"} onGo={setActive} />}
diff --git a/src/components/dashboard/mail.tsx b/src/components/dashboard/mail.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fd4c8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/dashboard/mail.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,216 @@
+"use client";
+
+// ============================================================
+// Mail — a dedicated reader for app-to-app and email messages,
+// powered by IIOS via the be-crm data door (crm.mail.*). Distinct
+// from Messenger (chat) and from the work-item Inbox: this shows the
+// actual mail (subject + rendered body) and lets you read + reply +
+// compose. HTML bodies render inside a sandboxed iframe (no scripts).
+// ============================================================
+
+import { type CSSProperties, useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import { Avatar, Btn, Field, Icon, Modal, PageHead, Pill, useToast } from "./ui";
+import { useMailThreads, useMailThread, useMailCompose, type MailThread, type MailPerson } from "@/lib/mail-api";
+
+const timeOf = (iso?: string) => {
+  if (!iso) return "";
+  const d = new Date(iso);
+  return Number.isNaN(+d) ? "" : d.toLocaleString([], { month: "short", day: "numeric", hour: "2-digit", minute: "2-digit" });
+};
+const CUSTOMER_GRAD = "linear-gradient(135deg,#10b981,#059669)";
+const inputStyle: CSSProperties = {
+  width: "100%", padding: "9px 12px", borderRadius: 10, border: "1px solid var(--border)",
+  background: "var(--panel)", color: "var(--text)", fontSize: 14, outline: "none",
+};
+
+export function Mail() {
+  const list = useMailThreads();
+  const toast = useToast();
+  const [selected, setSelected] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [newOpen, setNewOpen] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if ((!selected || !list.threads.some((t) => t.threadId === selected)) && list.threads[0]) {
+      setSelected(list.threads[0].threadId);
+    }
+  }, [list.threads, selected]);
+
+  const current = list.threads.find((t) => t.threadId === selected) ?? null;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="view">
+      <PageHead
+        eyebrow="Communication" title="Mail" subtitle="Read and send app messages and email — everything in one place" icon="chat"
+        actions={<Btn icon="plus" onClick={() => setNewOpen(true)}>New mail</Btn>}
+      />
+      {!list.live && (
+        <div style={{ margin: "0 0 14px", padding: "8px 14px", borderRadius: 10, background: "var(--panel-2)", color: "var(--muted)", fontSize: 13, border: "1px solid var(--border)" }}>
+          Demo mode — running on mock data. It goes live once the Shell + be-crm are connected.
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      <div className="card" style={{ display: "flex", height: 640, padding: 0, overflow: "hidden" }}>
+        <aside style={{ width: 320, borderRight: "1px solid var(--border)", overflowY: "auto", background: "var(--panel)" }}>
+          {list.loading && <div style={{ padding: 16, color: "var(--muted)" }}>Loading…</div>}
+          {!list.loading && list.threads.length === 0 && (
+            <div style={{ padding: 16, color: "var(--muted)" }}>No mail yet. Compose a new message.</div>
+          )}
+          {list.threads.map((t) => (
+            <ThreadRow key={t.threadId} t={t} active={t.threadId === selected} onClick={() => setSelected(t.threadId)} />
+          ))}
+        </aside>
+
+        <section style={{ flex: 1, display: "flex", flexDirection: "column", minWidth: 0, background: "var(--bg)" }}>
+          {current ? (
+            <Reader key={current.threadId} thread={current} onError={(m) => toast.push({ tone: "error", title: "Failed", desc: m })} />
+          ) : (
+            <div style={{ margin: "auto", color: "var(--muted)", textAlign: "center" }}>
+              <Icon name="chat" size={38} /><p>Select or compose a message</p>
+            </div>
+          )}
+        </section>
+      </div>
+
+      <NewMailModal
+        open={newOpen} onClose={() => setNewOpen(false)}
+        onSent={() => { setNewOpen(false); list.refetch(); toast.push({ tone: "success", title: "Sent" }); }}
+        onError={(m) => toast.push({ tone: "error", title: "Couldn't send", desc: m })}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ThreadRow({ t, active, onClick }: { t: MailThread; active: boolean; onClick: () => void }) {
+  return (
+    <button
+      onClick={onClick}
+      style={{
+        display: "block", width: "100%", textAlign: "left", padding: "12px 16px", border: "none",
+        borderBottom: "1px solid var(--border)", cursor: "pointer",
+        background: active ? "var(--panel-2)" : "transparent", color: "var(--text)",
+      }}
+    >
+      <div style={{ display: "flex", justifyContent: "space-between", gap: 8, alignItems: "center" }}>
+        <span style={{ fontWeight: 600, whiteSpace: "nowrap", overflow: "hidden", textOverflow: "ellipsis" }}>{t.subject || "(no subject)"}</span>
+        <span style={{ color: "var(--muted)", fontSize: 11, flexShrink: 0 }}>{timeOf(t.lastAt)}</span>
+      </div>
+      <div style={{ display: "flex", justifyContent: "space-between", gap: 8, alignItems: "center", marginTop: 3 }}>
+        <span style={{ color: "var(--muted)", fontSize: 12.5, whiteSpace: "nowrap", overflow: "hidden", textOverflow: "ellipsis" }}>{t.lastMessage ?? "No messages"}</span>
+        {t.unread > 0 && <span style={{ background: "var(--orange)", color: "#fff", borderRadius: 999, fontSize: 11, padding: "1px 7px", flexShrink: 0 }}>{t.unread}</span>}
+      </div>
+    </button>
+  );
+}
+
+function Reader({ thread, onError }: { thread: MailThread; onError: (m: string) => void }) {
+  const t = useMailThread(thread.threadId);
+  const [draft, setDraft] = useState("");
+  const [sending, setSending] = useState(false);
+
+  async function reply() {
+    const text = draft.trim();
+    if (!text || sending) return;
+    setDraft(""); setSending(true);
+    try { await t.reply(text); }
+    catch (e) { setDraft(text); onError((e as Error).message); }
+    finally { setSending(false); }
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <header style={{ padding: "14px 20px", borderBottom: "1px solid var(--border)" }}>
+        <div style={{ fontWeight: 700, fontSize: 16 }}>{thread.subject || "(no subject)"}</div>
+        <div style={{ color: "var(--muted)", fontSize: 12, marginTop: 2 }}>{thread.participants.length} participant(s)</div>
+      </header>
+
+      <div style={{ flex: 1, overflowY: "auto", padding: 18, display: "flex", flexDirection: "column", gap: 14 }}>
+        {t.loading && t.messages.length === 0 && <div style={{ margin: "auto", color: "var(--muted)" }}>Loading…</div>}
+        {!t.loading && t.messages.length === 0 && <div style={{ margin: "auto", color: "var(--muted)" }}>No messages in this thread.</div>}
+        {t.messages.map((m) => (
+          <div key={m.interactionId} style={{ border: "1px solid var(--border)", borderRadius: 12, background: "var(--panel)", overflow: "hidden" }}>
+            <div style={{ padding: "8px 14px", borderBottom: "1px solid var(--border)", display: "flex", justifyContent: "space-between", fontSize: 12, color: "var(--muted)" }}>
+              <span>{m.kind === "EMAIL" ? "Email" : "Reply"}{m.actorId ? ` · ${m.actorId.replace(/^(pp_|cust_)/, "").slice(0, 8)}` : ""}</span>
+              <span>{timeOf(m.occurredAt)}</span>
+            </div>
+            {m.html
+              ? <iframe sandbox="" srcDoc={m.html} title="mail body" style={{ width: "100%", height: 220, border: "none", background: "#fff" }} />
+              : <div style={{ padding: 14, whiteSpace: "pre-wrap", wordBreak: "break-word", fontSize: 14 }}>{m.text}</div>}
+          </div>
+        ))}
+      </div>
+
+      <footer style={{ display: "flex", gap: 8, padding: 14, borderTop: "1px solid var(--border)" }}>
+        <input
+          value={draft} onChange={(e) => setDraft(e.target.value)}
+          onKeyDown={(e) => { if (e.key === "Enter" && !e.shiftKey) { e.preventDefault(); void reply(); } }}
+          placeholder="Reply…" style={inputStyle}
+        />
+        <Btn icon="send" onClick={() => void reply()} disabled={sending || !draft.trim()}>Reply</Btn>
+      </footer>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+function NewMailModal({ open, onClose, onSent, onError }: { open: boolean; onClose: () => void; onSent: () => void; onError: (m: string) => void }) {
+  const compose = useMailCompose(onSent);
+  const [mode, setMode] = useState<"internal" | "external">("internal");
+  const [recipient, setRecipient] = useState("");   // userId (internal) or email (external)
+  const [subject, setSubject] = useState("");
+  const [body, setBody] = useState("");
+  const [q, setQ] = useState("");
+  const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => { if (!open) { setMode("internal"); setRecipient(""); setSubject(""); setBody(""); setQ(""); setBusy(false); } }, [open]);
+
+  const filtered = compose.directory.filter((p) => p.name.toLowerCase().includes(q.trim().toLowerCase()));
+  const canSend = !!recipient && !!subject.trim() && !!body.trim() && !busy;
+
+  async function send() {
+    if (!canSend) return;
+    setBusy(true);
+    try {
+      if (mode === "internal") await compose.sendInternal(recipient, subject.trim(), body.trim());
+      else await compose.sendExternal(recipient.trim(), subject.trim(), body.trim());
+    } catch (e) { onError((e as Error).message); }
+    finally { setBusy(false); }
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Modal
+      open={open} onClose={onClose} title="New mail" subtitle={mode === "internal" ? "To a team member or client (in-app)" : "To an email address"} icon="chat"
+      footer={<>
+        <Btn variant="ghost" onClick={onClose}>Cancel</Btn>
+        <Btn icon="send" onClick={() => void send()} disabled={!canSend}>{busy ? "Sending…" : "Send"}</Btn>
+      </>}
+    >
+      <div style={{ display: "flex", gap: 6, marginBottom: 12 }}>
+        <Btn variant={mode === "internal" ? "primary" : "outline"} onClick={() => { setMode("internal"); setRecipient(""); }}>In-app</Btn>
+        <Btn variant={mode === "external" ? "primary" : "outline"} onClick={() => { setMode("external"); setRecipient(""); }}>Email</Btn>
+      </div>
+
+      {mode === "internal" ? (
+        <Field label="To (person)">
+          <input value={q} onChange={(e) => setQ(e.target.value)} placeholder="Search people…" style={{ ...inputStyle, marginBottom: 8 }} />
+          <div style={{ maxHeight: 180, overflowY: "auto", display: "flex", flexDirection: "column", gap: 2 }}>
+            {filtered.length === 0 && <div style={{ color: "var(--muted)", padding: 8 }}>No people found.</div>}
+            {filtered.map((p: MailPerson) => (
+              <label key={p.id} style={{ display: "flex", alignItems: "center", gap: 10, padding: "7px 10px", borderRadius: 10, cursor: "pointer", background: recipient === p.id ? "var(--panel-2)" : "transparent" }}>
+                <input type="radio" checked={recipient === p.id} onChange={() => setRecipient(p.id)} />
+                <Avatar initials={(p.name.split(/\s+/).map((s) => s[0]).join("").slice(0, 2) || "?").toUpperCase()} size={26} gradient={p.kind === "customer" ? CUSTOMER_GRAD : undefined} />
+                <span style={{ flex: 1 }}>{p.name}</span>
+                <Pill tone="muted">{p.kind}</Pill>
+              </label>
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        </Field>
+      ) : (
+        <Field label="To (email)">
+          <input value={recipient} onChange={(e) => setRecipient(e.target.value)} placeholder="name@company.com" style={inputStyle} />
+        </Field>
+      )}
+
+      <Field label="Subject"><input value={subject} onChange={(e) => setSubject(e.target.value)} placeholder="Subject" style={inputStyle} /></Field>
+      <Field label="Message"><textarea value={body} onChange={(e) => setBody(e.target.value)} placeholder="Write your message…" rows={6} style={{ ...inputStyle, resize: "vertical" }} /></Field>
+    </Modal>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/dashboard/sidebar.tsx b/src/components/dashboard/sidebar.tsx
index 52b4564..3d13a27 100644
--- a/src/components/dashboard/sidebar.tsx
+++ b/src/components/dashboard/sidebar.tsx
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ export const NAV_GROUPS: NavGroup[] = [
     title: "Communication",
     items: [
       { key: "messenger", label: "Messenger", icon: "send", subtitle: "Chat with your team and clients" },
+      { key: "mail", label: "Mail", icon: "chat", subtitle: "Read and send app messages and email" },
       { key: "inbox", label: "Inbox", icon: "bell", subtitle: "Mentions, replies and updates for you" },
     ],
   },
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ export const NAV_ITEMS: NavItem[] = NAV_GROUPS.flatMap((g) => g.items);
 // brand-new user with no membership); every other item requires membership, and the
 // items mapped here additionally require the given permission. Unmapped items are
 // shown to any member. This is UX only — be-crm still enforces every action.
-const ALWAYS_VISIBLE = new Set(["dashboard", "profile", "messenger", "inbox"]);
+const ALWAYS_VISIBLE = new Set(["dashboard", "profile", "messenger", "mail", "inbox"]);
 const NAV_PERMISSION: Record<string, string | undefined> = {
   team: "team.manage",
   people: "team.manage",
diff --git a/src/lib/mail-api.ts b/src/lib/mail-api.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11db653
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/mail-api.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+"use client";
+
+// Mail data layer. A dedicated Mail reader over the be-crm data door (crm.mail.*), distinct from
+// the Messenger chat and from the work-item Inbox. Live via the AppShell SDK; a small mock keeps the
+// demo working before the Shell + be-crm are connected.
+//
+// Live contract (be-crm):
+//   query crm.mail.list      {}                          -> MailThread[]
+//   query crm.mail.history   { threadId }                -> MailMessage[]
+//   cmd   crm.mail.reply     { threadId, content }       -> { interactionId, threadId }
+//   cmd   crm.mail.internal  { recipientUserId, subject?, text?, html? } -> { threadId }
+//   cmd   crm.mail.send      { target, subject?, text?, html?, mirrorToUserId? } -> { commandId }
+//   query crm.messenger.directory { kind, limit }        -> people to compose to (reused)
+
+import { useCallback, useMemo, useState } from "react";
+import { useAppShell, useQuery } from "@abe-kap/appshell-sdk/react";
+import { isShellConfigured } from "./appshell";
+
+export interface MailThread {
+  threadId: string; subject: string | null; participants: string[]; unread: number; lastMessage?: string; lastAt?: string;
+}
+export interface MailMessage {
+  interactionId: string; actorId: string | null; kind: string; occurredAt: string; html: string | null; text: string | null;
+}
+export interface MailPerson { id: string; name: string; kind: "staff" | "customer" }
+
+const SHELL = isShellConfigured();
+
+/* ============================ Thread list ============================ */
+
+export interface MailListData {
+  live: boolean; loading: boolean; error: string | null; threads: MailThread[]; refetch: () => void;
+}
+
+export function useMailThreads(): MailListData {
+  if (SHELL) {
+    const q = useQuery<MailThread[]>("crm.mail.list", {});
+    return { live: true, loading: q.loading, error: q.error?.message ?? null, threads: q.data ?? [], refetch: q.refetch };
+  }
+  return { live: false, loading: false, error: null, threads: MOCK_THREADS, refetch: () => {} };
+}
+
+/* ============================ One thread ============================ */
+
+export interface MailThreadData {
+  loading: boolean; error: string | null; messages: MailMessage[]; reply: (content: string) => Promise<void>; refetch: () => void;
+}
+
+export function useMailThread(threadId: string | null): MailThreadData {
+  if (SHELL) return useLiveThread(threadId);
+  return useMockThread(threadId);
+}
+
+function useLiveThread(threadId: string | null): MailThreadData {
+  const { sdk } = useAppShell();
+  const q = useQuery<MailMessage[]>("crm.mail.history", threadId ? { threadId } : { threadId: "" });
+  const reply = useCallback(async (content: string) => {
+    if (!threadId) return;
+    await sdk.command("crm.mail.reply", { threadId, content });
+    q.refetch();
+  }, [sdk, threadId, q]);
+  return { loading: q.loading, error: q.error?.message ?? null, messages: threadId ? (q.data ?? []) : [], reply, refetch: q.refetch };
+}
+
+/* ============================ Compose ============================ */
+
+export interface ComposeData {
+  directory: MailPerson[];
+  sendInternal: (recipientUserId: string, subject: string, text: string) => Promise<void>;
+  sendExternal: (target: string, subject: string, text: string, mirrorToUserId?: string) => Promise<void>;
+}
+
+export function useMailCompose(onSent: () => void): ComposeData {
+  if (SHELL) {
+    const { sdk } = useAppShell();
+    const dirQ = useQuery<MailPerson[]>("crm.messenger.directory", { kind: "all", limit: 100 });
+    const directory = useMemo(() => (dirQ.data ?? []).map((d) => ({ id: (d as unknown as { id: string }).id, name: (d as unknown as { displayName?: string; name?: string }).displayName ?? (d as unknown as { name?: string }).name ?? "", kind: (d as MailPerson).kind })), [dirQ.data]);
+    const sendInternal = useCallback(async (recipientUserId: string, subject: string, text: string) => {
+      await sdk.command("crm.mail.internal", { recipientUserId, subject, text, html: `<p>${escapeHtml(text)}</p>` });
+      onSent();
+    }, [sdk, onSent]);
+    const sendExternal = useCallback(async (target: string, subject: string, text: string, mirrorToUserId?: string) => {
+      await sdk.command("crm.mail.send", { target, subject, text, html: `<p>${escapeHtml(text)}</p>`, ...(mirrorToUserId ? { mirrorToUserId } : {}) });
+      onSent();
+    }, [sdk, onSent]);
+    return { directory, sendInternal, sendExternal };
+  }
+  return { directory: MOCK_PEOPLE, sendInternal: async () => onSent(), sendExternal: async () => onSent() };
+}
+
+function escapeHtml(s: string): string {
+  return s.replace(/&/g, "&amp;").replace(/</g, "&lt;").replace(/>/g, "&gt;");
+}
+
+/* ============================ Mock (demo mode) ============================ */
+
+const now = () => new Date().toISOString();
+const MOCK_PEOPLE: MailPerson[] = [
+  { id: "pp_sofia", name: "Sofia Ramirez", kind: "staff" },
+  { id: "cust_acme", name: "Acme Roofing (Client)", kind: "customer" },
+];
+const MOCK_THREADS: MailThread[] = [
+  { threadId: "mt_1", subject: "Welcome to the Founders Club", participants: ["you", "system"], unread: 1, lastMessage: "Thanks for joining…", lastAt: now() },
+  { threadId: "mt_2", subject: "Storm response — East side", participants: ["you", "pp_sofia"], unread: 0, lastMessage: "Crew rolling out at 7", lastAt: now() },
+];
+function useMockThread(threadId: string | null): MailThreadData {
+  const [extra, setExtra] = useState<MailMessage[]>([]);
+  const base: MailMessage[] = threadId === "mt_1"
+    ? [{ interactionId: "m1", actorId: "system", kind: "EMAIL", occurredAt: now(), html: "<p>Thanks for joining the <b>Founders Club</b>. Set up your account to get started.</p>", text: "Thanks for joining the Founders Club." }]
+    : threadId === "mt_2"
+      ? [{ interactionId: "m2", actorId: "pp_sofia", kind: "EMAIL", occurredAt: now(), html: "<p>Crew is rolling out at 7. Confirm the Henderson scope?</p>", text: "Crew rolling out at 7." }]
+      : [];
+  const reply = useCallback(async (content: string) => {
+    setExtra((l) => [...l, { interactionId: `r_${l.length}`, actorId: "you", kind: "MESSAGE", occurredAt: now(), html: null, text: content }]);
+  }, []);
+  return { loading: false, error: null, messages: threadId ? [...base, ...extra] : [], reply, refetch: () => {} };
+}