---
title: "bird email threads messages forward"
description: "Forward a thread message"
canonical: "https://bird.com/docs/cli/reference/email-threads-messages-forward"
---

# `bird email threads messages forward`

## Usage

```bash
bird email threads messages forward <thread-id> <message-id> [flags]
```

## Description

Forward a thread message

Forward a conversation message, with its original body and attachments, to new recipients from the mailbox's own address. Add a plain-text note and optional blind-copy recipients. It requires the original source, which is available for 30 days.

Build the request from flags, a JSON EmailThreadMessageForwardRequest body via --body-file ("-" reads
stdin), or both — a flag overrides the matching body field. Run --example to
print a ready-to-edit body, or --dry-run to print the resolved request without
sending it.

## Examples

```bash
# print the body shape (no credentials needed)
bird email threads messages forward --example

# the body it prints:
```

```json
{
  "note": "Please review the attached request.",
  "to": ["delivered@messagebird.dev"]
}
```

## Options

#### Request

| Name                | Description                                                  |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `--body-file`       | Read the JSON request body from this file; "-" reads stdin   |
| `--example`         | Print a complete example request body, then exit             |
| `--dry-run`         | Print the resolved request without sending it, then exit     |
| `--idempotency-key` | Deduplication key; a retry with the same key won't act twice |

#### Options

| Name                 | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--to <value>…`      | Recipient addresses to forward the message to. (required; or in --body-file)                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| `--cc <value>…`      | Cc recipient addresses.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| `--bcc <value>…`     | Blind-copy recipient addresses. Bcc recipients are not exposed in the conversation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| `--note`             | Plain-text note prepended to the original body. Escaped as text when the original has an HTML body.                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| `--tags <key=value>` | Structured {name, value} labels for filtering and analytics on the sent-message log. Cap: 20 tags per send.                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| `--metadata`         | Arbitrary JSON object stored on the send and echoed in webhook payloads. Cap: 2 KB serialized.                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| `--category`         | Content classification, which controls suppression policy: - marketing: Blocks on all suppression reasons. - transactional: Allows delivery through complaint and unsubscribe suppressions, for receipts, password resets, and similar operational mail. Possible values: marketing, transactional. |
| `--response-schema`  | Print the fields this command returns, then exit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |

## Related

| Name                                                                                                | Description                                      |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| [`bird email threads messages attachment`](/docs/cli/reference/email-threads-messages-attachment)   | Download an attachment from a thread message     |
| [`bird email threads messages attachments`](/docs/cli/reference/email-threads-messages-attachments) | List a thread message's attachments              |
| [`bird email threads messages body`](/docs/cli/reference/email-threads-messages-body)               | Get a thread message's original body             |
| [`bird email threads messages get`](/docs/cli/reference/email-threads-messages-get)                 | Get a message in a thread                        |
| [`bird email threads messages list`](/docs/cli/reference/email-threads-messages-list)               | List messages in a thread                        |
| [`bird email threads messages raw`](/docs/cli/reference/email-threads-messages-raw)                 | Download a thread message's raw RFC 5322 content |
| [`bird email threads messages reply`](/docs/cli/reference/email-threads-messages-reply)             | Reply to a thread message                        |

## Related resources

- [Should I use a Bird SDK or call the API directly?](/explained/platform/should-i-use-an-sdk-or-call-the-api-directly) (answer)
- [Build your first integration](/learn/paths/integration) (course)
- [Send your first email](/docs/get-started/send-your-first-email) (docs)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=api-basics)