diff --git a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/JoexAppImpl.scala b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/JoexAppImpl.scala
index 3bc993f9..5c4a01a1 100644
--- a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/JoexAppImpl.scala
+++ b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/JoexAppImpl.scala
@@ -170,13 +170,6 @@ object JoexAppImpl extends MailAddressCodec {
             ReProcessItem.onCancel[F]
           )
         )
-        .withTask(
-          JobTask.json(
-            NotifyDueItemsArgs.taskName,
-            NotifyDueItemsTask[F](cfg.sendMail, javaEmil),
-            NotifyDueItemsTask.onCancel[F]
-          )
-        )
         .withTask(
           JobTask.json(
             ScanMailboxArgs.taskName,
diff --git a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/MailContext.scala b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/MailContext.scala
deleted file mode 100644
index 55a8b991..00000000
--- a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/MailContext.scala
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,83 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2020 Eike K. & Contributors
- *
- * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
- */
-
-package docspell.joex.notify
-
-import docspell.common._
-import docspell.joex.notify.YamuscaConverter._
-import docspell.store.queries.ListItem
-
-import yamusca.implicits._
-import yamusca.imports._
-
-/** The context for rendering the e-mail template. */
-case class MailContext(
-    items: List[MailContext.ItemData],
-    more: Boolean,
-    account: AccountId,
-    username: String,
-    itemUri: Option[LenientUri]
-)
-
-object MailContext {
-
-  def from(
-      items: Vector[ListItem],
-      max: Int,
-      account: AccountId,
-      itemBaseUri: Option[LenientUri],
-      now: Timestamp
-  ): MailContext =
-    MailContext(
-      items.take(max - 1).map(ItemData(now)).toList.sortBy(_.dueDate),
-      items.sizeCompare(max) >= 0,
-      account,
-      account.user.id.capitalize,
-      itemBaseUri
-    )
-
-  case class ItemData(
-      id: Ident,
-      name: String,
-      date: Timestamp,
-      dueDate: Option[Timestamp],
-      source: String,
-      overDue: Boolean,
-      dueIn: Option[String],
-      corrOrg: Option[String]
-  )
-
-  object ItemData {
-
-    def apply(now: Timestamp)(i: ListItem): ItemData = {
-      val dueIn = i.dueDate.map(dt => Timestamp.daysBetween(now, dt))
-      val dueInLabel = dueIn.map {
-        case 0          => "**today**"
-        case 1          => "**tomorrow**"
-        case -1         => s"**yesterday**"
-        case n if n > 0 => s"in $n days"
-        case n          => s"${n * -1} days ago"
-      }
-      ItemData(
-        i.id,
-        i.name,
-        i.date,
-        i.dueDate,
-        i.source,
-        dueIn.exists(_ < 0),
-        dueInLabel,
-        i.corrOrg.map(_.name)
-      )
-    }
-
-    implicit def yamusca: ValueConverter[ItemData] =
-      ValueConverter.deriveConverter[ItemData]
-  }
-
-  implicit val yamusca: ValueConverter[MailContext] =
-    ValueConverter.deriveConverter[MailContext]
-
-}
diff --git a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/MailTemplate.scala b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/MailTemplate.scala
deleted file mode 100644
index edd3f4e9..00000000
--- a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/MailTemplate.scala
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,44 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2020 Eike K. & Contributors
- *
- * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
- */
-
-package docspell.joex.notify
-
-import yamusca.implicits._
-
-object MailTemplate {
-
-  val text = mustache"""
-Hello {{{ username }}},
-
-this is Docspell informing you about your next due items coming up.
-
-{{#itemUri}}
-{{#items}}
-- {{#overDue}}**(OVERDUE)** {{/overDue}}[{{name}}]({{itemUri}}/{{id}}),
-  {{#overDue}}was {{/overDue}}due {{dueIn}} on *{{dueDate}}*; {{#corrOrg}}from {{corrOrg}}{{/corrOrg}}
-  received on {{date}} via {{source}}
-{{/items}}
-{{/itemUri}}
-{{^itemUri}}
-{{#items}}
-- {{#overDue}}**(OVERDUE)** {{/overDue}}*{{name}}*,
-  {{#overDue}}was {{/overDue}}due {{dueIn}} on *{{dueDate}}*; {{#corrOrg}}from {{corrOrg}}{{/corrOrg}}
-  received on {{date}} via {{source}}
-{{/items}}
-{{/itemUri}}
-{{#more}}
-- … more have been left out for brevity
-{{/more}}
-
-
-Sincerely yours,
-
-Docspell
-"""
-
-  def render(mc: MailContext): String =
-    mc.render(text)
-}
diff --git a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/NotifyDueItemsTask.scala b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/NotifyDueItemsTask.scala
deleted file mode 100644
index 508e40cc..00000000
--- a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/NotifyDueItemsTask.scala
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,140 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2020 Eike K. & Contributors
- *
- * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
- */
-
-package docspell.joex.notify
-
-import cats.data.{NonEmptyList => Nel, OptionT}
-import cats.effect._
-import cats.implicits._
-
-import docspell.backend.ops.OItemSearch.{Batch, ListItem, Query}
-import docspell.common._
-import docspell.joex.mail.EmilHeader
-import docspell.joex.scheduler.{Context, Task}
-import docspell.query.Date
-import docspell.query.ItemQuery._
-import docspell.query.ItemQueryDsl._
-import docspell.store.queries.QItem
-import docspell.store.records._
-
-import emil._
-import emil.builder._
-import emil.javamail.syntax._
-import emil.markdown._
-
-object NotifyDueItemsTask {
-  val maxItems: Int = 7
-  type Args = NotifyDueItemsArgs
-
-  def apply[F[_]: Sync](cfg: MailSendConfig, emil: Emil[F]): Task[F, Args, Unit] =
-    Task { ctx =>
-      for {
-        _ <- ctx.logger.info("Getting mail configuration")
-        mailCfg <- getMailSettings(ctx)
-        _ <- ctx.logger.info(
-          s"Searching for items due in ${ctx.args.remindDays} days…."
-        )
-        _ <- createMail(cfg, mailCfg, ctx)
-          .semiflatMap { mail =>
-            for {
-              _ <- ctx.logger.info(s"Sending notification mail to ${ctx.args.recipients}")
-              res <- emil(mailCfg.toMailConfig).send(mail).map(_.head)
-              _ <- ctx.logger.info(s"Sent mail with id: $res")
-            } yield ()
-          }
-          .getOrElseF(ctx.logger.info("No items found"))
-      } yield ()
-    }
-
-  def onCancel[F[_]]: Task[F, NotifyDueItemsArgs, Unit] =
-    Task.log(_.warn("Cancelling notify-due-items task"))
-
-  def getMailSettings[F[_]: Sync](ctx: Context[F, Args]): F[RUserEmail] =
-    ctx.store
-      .transact(RUserEmail.getByName(ctx.args.account, ctx.args.smtpConnection))
-      .flatMap {
-        case Some(c) => c.pure[F]
-        case None =>
-          Sync[F].raiseError(
-            new Exception(
-              s"No smtp configuration found for: ${ctx.args.smtpConnection.id}"
-            )
-          )
-      }
-
-  def createMail[F[_]: Sync](
-      sendCfg: MailSendConfig,
-      cfg: RUserEmail,
-      ctx: Context[F, Args]
-  ): OptionT[F, Mail[F]] =
-    for {
-      items <- OptionT.liftF(findItems(ctx)).filter(_.nonEmpty)
-      mail <- OptionT.liftF(makeMail(sendCfg, cfg, ctx.args, items))
-    } yield mail
-
-  def findItems[F[_]: Sync](ctx: Context[F, Args]): F[Vector[ListItem]] =
-    for {
-      now <- Timestamp.current[F]
-      rightDate = Date((now + Duration.days(ctx.args.remindDays.toLong)).toMillis)
-      q =
-        Query
-          .all(ctx.args.account)
-          .withOrder(orderAsc = _.dueDate)
-          .withFix(_.copy(query = Expr.ValidItemStates.some))
-          .withCond(_ =>
-            Query.QueryExpr(
-              Attr.DueDate <= rightDate &&?
-                ctx.args.daysBack.map(back =>
-                  Attr.DueDate >= Date((now - Duration.days(back.toLong)).toMillis)
-                ) &&?
-                Nel
-                  .fromList(ctx.args.tagsInclude)
-                  .map(ids => Q.tagIdsEq(ids.map(_.id))) &&?
-                Nel
-                  .fromList(ctx.args.tagsExclude)
-                  .map(ids => Q.tagIdsIn(ids.map(_.id)).negate)
-            )
-          )
-      res <-
-        ctx.store
-          .transact(
-            QItem
-              .findItems(q, now.toUtcDate, 0, Batch.limit(maxItems))
-              .take(maxItems.toLong)
-          )
-          .compile
-          .toVector
-    } yield res
-
-  def makeMail[F[_]: Sync](
-      sendCfg: MailSendConfig,
-      cfg: RUserEmail,
-      args: Args,
-      items: Vector[ListItem]
-  ): F[Mail[F]] =
-    Timestamp.current[F].map { now =>
-      val templateCtx =
-        MailContext.from(items, maxItems.toInt, args.account, args.itemDetailUrl, now)
-      val md = MailTemplate.render(templateCtx)
-      val recp = args.recipients
-        .map(MailAddress.parse)
-        .map {
-          case Right(ma) => ma
-          case Left(err) =>
-            throw new Exception(s"Unable to parse recipient address: $err")
-        }
-      MailBuilder.build(
-        From(cfg.mailFrom),
-        Tos(recp),
-        XMailer.emil,
-        Subject("[Docspell] Next due items"),
-        EmilHeader.listId(sendCfg.listId),
-        MarkdownBody[F](md).withConfig(
-          MarkdownConfig("body { font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; }")
-        )
-      )
-    }
-}
diff --git a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/PeriodicDueItemsTask.scala b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/PeriodicDueItemsTask.scala
index 9446478d..ebaa60b5 100644
--- a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/PeriodicDueItemsTask.scala
+++ b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/PeriodicDueItemsTask.scala
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ object PeriodicDueItemsTask {
       ctx.args.account,
       ctx.args.baseUrl,
       items,
+      None,
       limit,
       now
     )(cont)
diff --git a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/PeriodicQueryTask.scala b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/PeriodicQueryTask.scala
index c24e47e8..ad16f2b9 100644
--- a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/PeriodicQueryTask.scala
+++ b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/PeriodicQueryTask.scala
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ object PeriodicQueryTask {
       ctx.args.account,
       ctx.args.baseUrl,
       items,
+      ctx.args.contentStart,
       limit,
       now
     )(cont)
diff --git a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/TaskOperations.scala b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/TaskOperations.scala
index 788f3131..a1152c13 100644
--- a/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/TaskOperations.scala
+++ b/modules/joex/src/main/scala/docspell/joex/notify/TaskOperations.scala
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ trait TaskOperations {
       account: AccountId,
       baseUrl: Option[LenientUri],
       items: Vector[ListItem],
+      contentStart: Option[String],
       limit: Int,
       now: Timestamp
   )(cont: EventContext => F[Unit]): F[Unit] =
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ trait TaskOperations {
       case Some(nel) =>
         val more = items.size >= limit
         val eventCtx = ItemSelectionCtx(
-          Event.ItemSelection(account, nel.map(_.id), more, baseUrl),
+          Event.ItemSelection(account, nel.map(_.id), more, baseUrl, contentStart),
           ItemSelectionCtx.Data
             .create(account, items, baseUrl, more, now)
         )
diff --git a/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/Event.scala b/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/Event.scala
index 371d4ebe..18ff790a 100644
--- a/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/Event.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/Event.scala
@@ -148,7 +148,8 @@ object Event {
       account: AccountId,
       items: Nel[Ident],
       more: Boolean,
-      baseUrl: Option[LenientUri]
+      baseUrl: Option[LenientUri],
+      contentStart: Option[String]
   ) extends Event {
     val eventType = ItemSelection
   }
@@ -161,7 +162,7 @@ object Event {
       for {
         id1 <- Ident.randomId[F]
         id2 <- Ident.randomId[F]
-      } yield ItemSelection(account, Nel.of(id1, id2), true, baseUrl)
+      } yield ItemSelection(account, Nel.of(id1, id2), true, baseUrl, None)
   }
 
   /** Event when a new job is added to the queue */
diff --git a/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/EventContext.scala b/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/EventContext.scala
index 075d25eb..fc3f2984 100644
--- a/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/EventContext.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/EventContext.scala
@@ -31,30 +31,33 @@ trait EventContext {
       "content" -> content
     )
 
-  def defaultTitle: String
-  def defaultTitleHtml: String
+  def defaultTitle: Either[String, String]
+  def defaultTitleHtml: Either[String, String]
 
-  def defaultBody: String
-  def defaultBodyHtml: String
+  def defaultBody: Either[String, String]
+  def defaultBodyHtml: Either[String, String]
 
-  def defaultBoth: String
-  def defaultBothHtml: String
+  def defaultBoth: Either[String, String]
+  def defaultBothHtml: Either[String, String]
 
-  lazy val asJsonWithMessage: Json = {
-    val data = asJson
-    val msg = Json.obj(
-      "message" -> Json.obj(
-        "title" -> defaultTitle.asJson,
-        "body" -> defaultBody.asJson
-      ),
-      "messageHtml" -> Json.obj(
-        "title" -> defaultTitleHtml.asJson,
-        "body" -> defaultBodyHtml.asJson
+  lazy val asJsonWithMessage: Either[String, Json] =
+    for {
+      tt1 <- defaultTitle
+      tb1 <- defaultBody
+      tt2 <- defaultTitleHtml
+      tb2 <- defaultBodyHtml
+      data = asJson
+      msg = Json.obj(
+        "message" -> Json.obj(
+          "title" -> tt1.asJson,
+          "body" -> tb1.asJson
+        ),
+        "messageHtml" -> Json.obj(
+          "title" -> tt2.asJson,
+          "body" -> tb2.asJson
+        )
       )
-    )
-
-    data.withObject(o1 => msg.withObject(o2 => o1.deepMerge(o2).asJson))
-  }
+    } yield data.withObject(o1 => msg.withObject(o2 => o1.deepMerge(o2).asJson))
 }
 
 object EventContext {
@@ -62,12 +65,12 @@ object EventContext {
     new EventContext {
       val event = ev
       def content = Json.obj()
-      def defaultTitle = ""
-      def defaultTitleHtml = ""
-      def defaultBody = ""
-      def defaultBodyHtml = ""
-      def defaultBoth: String = ""
-      def defaultBothHtml: String = ""
+      def defaultTitle = Right("")
+      def defaultTitleHtml = Right("")
+      def defaultBody = Right("")
+      def defaultBodyHtml = Right("")
+      def defaultBoth = Right("")
+      def defaultBothHtml = Right("")
     }
 
   /** For an event, the context can be created that is usually amended with more
diff --git a/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/PeriodicDueItemsArgs.scala b/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/PeriodicDueItemsArgs.scala
index 2a34ec26..fc10767f 100644
--- a/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/PeriodicDueItemsArgs.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/PeriodicDueItemsArgs.scala
@@ -12,6 +12,13 @@ import emil.MailAddress
 import io.circe.generic.semiauto
 import io.circe.{Decoder, Encoder}
 
+/** Arguments to the notification task.
+  *
+  * This tasks queries items with a due date and informs the user via mail.
+  *
+  * If the structure changes, there must be some database migration to update or remove
+  * the json data of the corresponding task.
+  */
 final case class PeriodicDueItemsArgs(
     account: AccountId,
     channel: ChannelOrRef,
diff --git a/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/PeriodicQueryArgs.scala b/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/PeriodicQueryArgs.scala
index e8ffd089..cf1c16a1 100644
--- a/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/PeriodicQueryArgs.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/api/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/api/PeriodicQueryArgs.scala
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ final case class PeriodicQueryArgs(
     channel: ChannelOrRef,
     query: Option[ItemQueryString],
     bookmark: Option[String],
-    baseUrl: Option[LenientUri]
+    baseUrl: Option[LenientUri],
+    contentStart: Option[String]
 )
 
 object PeriodicQueryArgs {
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/AbstractEventContext.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/AbstractEventContext.scala
index 0d42e43c..04dc3990 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/AbstractEventContext.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/AbstractEventContext.scala
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ import yamusca.imports._
 
 abstract class AbstractEventContext extends EventContext {
 
-  def titleTemplate: Template
+  def titleTemplate: Either[String, Template]
 
-  def bodyTemplate: Template
+  def bodyTemplate: Either[String, Template]
 
   def render(template: Template): String =
     asJson.render(template).trim()
@@ -24,33 +24,39 @@ abstract class AbstractEventContext extends EventContext {
   def renderHtml(template: Template): String =
     Markdown.toHtml(render(template))
 
-  lazy val defaultTitle: String =
-    render(titleTemplate)
+  lazy val defaultTitle: Either[String, String] =
+    titleTemplate.map(render)
 
-  lazy val defaultTitleHtml: String =
-    renderHtml(titleTemplate)
+  lazy val defaultTitleHtml: Either[String, String] =
+    titleTemplate.map(renderHtml)
 
-  lazy val defaultBody: String =
-    render(bodyTemplate)
+  lazy val defaultBody: Either[String, String] =
+    bodyTemplate.map(render)
 
-  lazy val defaultBodyHtml: String =
-    renderHtml(bodyTemplate)
+  lazy val defaultBodyHtml: Either[String, String] =
+    bodyTemplate.map(renderHtml)
 
-  lazy val defaultBoth: String =
-    render(
+  lazy val defaultBoth: Either[String, String] =
+    for {
+      tt <- titleTemplate
+      tb <- bodyTemplate
+    } yield render(
       AbstractEventContext.concat(
-        titleTemplate,
+        tt,
         AbstractEventContext.sepTemplate,
-        bodyTemplate
+        tb
       )
     )
 
-  lazy val defaultBothHtml: String =
-    renderHtml(
+  lazy val defaultBothHtml: Either[String, String] =
+    for {
+      tt <- titleTemplate
+      tb <- bodyTemplate
+    } yield renderHtml(
       AbstractEventContext.concat(
-        titleTemplate,
+        tt,
         AbstractEventContext.sepTemplate,
-        bodyTemplate
+        tb
       )
     )
 }
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/EmailBackend.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/EmailBackend.scala
index f93202c8..81a016c2 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/EmailBackend.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/EmailBackend.scala
@@ -19,22 +19,24 @@ final class EmailBackend[F[_]: Sync](
     channel: NotificationChannel.Email,
     mailService: Emil[F],
     logger: Logger[F]
-) extends NotificationBackend[F] {
+) extends NotificationBackend[F]
+    with EventContextSyntax {
 
   import emil.builder._
 
-  def send(event: EventContext): F[Unit] = {
-    val mail =
-      MailBuilder.build(
-        From(channel.from),
-        Tos(channel.recipients.toList),
-        Subject(event.defaultTitle),
-        MarkdownBody[F](event.defaultBody)
-      )
+  def send(event: EventContext): F[Unit] =
+    event.withDefault(logger) { (title, body) =>
+      val mail =
+        MailBuilder.build(
+          From(channel.from),
+          Tos(channel.recipients.toList),
+          Subject(title),
+          MarkdownBody[F](body)
+        )
 
-    logger.debug(s"Attempting to send notification mail: $channel") *>
-      mailService(channel.config)
-        .send(mail)
-        .flatMap(msgId => logger.info(s"Send notification mail ${msgId.head}"))
-  }
+      logger.debug(s"Attempting to send notification mail: $channel") *>
+        mailService(channel.config)
+          .send(mail)
+          .flatMap(msgId => logger.info(s"Send notification mail ${msgId.head}"))
+    }
 }
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/EventContextSyntax.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/EventContextSyntax.scala
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79fa66a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/EventContextSyntax.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 Eike K. & Contributors
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
+ */
+
+package docspell.notification.impl
+
+import docspell.common.Logger
+import docspell.notification.api.EventContext
+
+import io.circe.Json
+
+trait EventContextSyntax {
+  private def logError[F[_]](logger: Logger[F])(reason: String): F[Unit] =
+    logger.error(s"Unable to send notification, the template failed to render: $reason")
+
+  implicit final class EventContextOps(self: EventContext) {
+    def withDefault[F[_]](logger: Logger[F])(f: (String, String) => F[Unit]): F[Unit] =
+      (for {
+        tt <- self.defaultTitle
+        tb <- self.defaultBody
+      } yield f(tt, tb)).fold(logError(logger), identity)
+
+    def withJsonMessage[F[_]](logger: Logger[F])(f: Json => F[Unit]): F[Unit] =
+      self.asJsonWithMessage match {
+        case Right(m)  => f(m)
+        case Left(err) => logError(logger)(err)
+      }
+
+    def withDefaultBoth[F[_]](
+        logger: Logger[F]
+    )(f: (String, String) => F[Unit]): F[Unit] =
+      (for {
+        md <- self.defaultBoth
+        html <- self.defaultBothHtml
+      } yield f(md, html)).fold(logError(logger), identity)
+  }
+}
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/GotifyBackend.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/GotifyBackend.scala
index 2d955a8a..02415726 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/GotifyBackend.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/GotifyBackend.scala
@@ -23,27 +23,29 @@ final class GotifyBackend[F[_]: Async](
     channel: NotificationChannel.Gotify,
     client: Client[F],
     logger: Logger[F]
-) extends NotificationBackend[F] {
+) extends NotificationBackend[F]
+    with EventContextSyntax {
 
   val dsl = new Http4sDsl[F] with Http4sClientDsl[F] {}
   import dsl._
 
-  def send(event: EventContext): F[Unit] = {
-    val url = Uri.unsafeFromString((channel.url / "message").asString)
-    val req = POST(
-      Json.obj(
-        "title" -> Json.fromString(event.defaultTitle),
-        "message" -> Json.fromString(event.defaultBody),
-        "extras" -> Json.obj(
-          "client::display" -> Json.obj(
-            "contentType" -> Json.fromString("text/markdown")
+  def send(event: EventContext): F[Unit] =
+    event.withDefault(logger) { (title, body) =>
+      val url = Uri.unsafeFromString((channel.url / "message").asString)
+      val req = POST(
+        Json.obj(
+          "title" -> Json.fromString(title),
+          "message" -> Json.fromString(body),
+          "extras" -> Json.obj(
+            "client::display" -> Json.obj(
+              "contentType" -> Json.fromString("text/markdown")
+            )
           )
-        )
-      ),
-      url
-    )
-      .putHeaders("X-Gotify-Key" -> channel.appKey.pass)
-    logger.debug(s"Seding request: $req") *>
-      HttpSend.sendRequest(client, req, channel, logger)
-  }
+        ),
+        url
+      )
+        .putHeaders("X-Gotify-Key" -> channel.appKey.pass)
+      logger.debug(s"Seding request: $req") *>
+        HttpSend.sendRequest(client, req, channel, logger)
+    }
 }
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/HttpPostBackend.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/HttpPostBackend.scala
index 226f5522..0a5acb21 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/HttpPostBackend.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/HttpPostBackend.scala
@@ -21,16 +21,18 @@ final class HttpPostBackend[F[_]: Async](
     channel: NotificationChannel.HttpPost,
     client: Client[F],
     logger: Logger[F]
-) extends NotificationBackend[F] {
+) extends NotificationBackend[F]
+    with EventContextSyntax {
 
   val dsl = new Http4sDsl[F] with Http4sClientDsl[F] {}
   import dsl._
   import org.http4s.circe.CirceEntityCodec._
 
-  def send(event: EventContext): F[Unit] = {
-    val url = Uri.unsafeFromString(channel.url.asString)
-    val req = POST(event.asJsonWithMessage, url).putHeaders(channel.headers.toList)
-    logger.debug(s"$channel sending request: $req") *>
-      HttpSend.sendRequest(client, req, channel, logger)
-  }
+  def send(event: EventContext): F[Unit] =
+    event.withJsonMessage(logger) { json =>
+      val url = Uri.unsafeFromString(channel.url.asString)
+      val req = POST(json, url).putHeaders(channel.headers.toList)
+      logger.debug(s"$channel sending request: $req") *>
+        HttpSend.sendRequest(client, req, channel, logger)
+    }
 }
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/MatrixBackend.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/MatrixBackend.scala
index 4222b004..41f0cb9b 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/MatrixBackend.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/MatrixBackend.scala
@@ -20,26 +20,28 @@ final class MatrixBackend[F[_]: Async](
     channel: NotificationChannel.Matrix,
     client: Client[F],
     logger: Logger[F]
-) extends NotificationBackend[F] {
+) extends NotificationBackend[F]
+    with EventContextSyntax {
 
   val dsl = new Http4sDsl[F] with Http4sClientDsl[F] {}
   import dsl._
   import org.http4s.circe.CirceEntityCodec._
 
-  def send(event: EventContext): F[Unit] = {
-    val url =
-      (channel.homeServer / "_matrix" / "client" / "r0" / "rooms" / channel.roomId / "send" / "m.room.message")
-        .withQuery("access_token", channel.accessToken.pass)
-    val uri = Uri.unsafeFromString(url.asString)
-    val req = POST(
-      Map(
-        "msgtype" -> channel.messageType,
-        "format" -> "org.matrix.custom.html",
-        "formatted_body" -> event.defaultBothHtml,
-        "body" -> event.defaultBoth
-      ),
-      uri
-    )
-    HttpSend.sendRequest(client, req, channel, logger)
-  }
+  def send(event: EventContext): F[Unit] =
+    event.withDefaultBoth(logger) { (md, html) =>
+      val url =
+        (channel.homeServer / "_matrix" / "client" / "r0" / "rooms" / channel.roomId / "send" / "m.room.message")
+          .withQuery("access_token", channel.accessToken.pass)
+      val uri = Uri.unsafeFromString(url.asString)
+      val req = POST(
+        Map(
+          "msgtype" -> channel.messageType,
+          "format" -> "org.matrix.custom.html",
+          "formatted_body" -> html,
+          "body" -> md
+        ),
+        uri
+      )
+      HttpSend.sendRequest(client, req, channel, logger)
+    }
 }
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/DeleteFieldValueCtx.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/DeleteFieldValueCtx.scala
index cbee4f07..b204f823 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/DeleteFieldValueCtx.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/DeleteFieldValueCtx.scala
@@ -30,9 +30,11 @@ final case class DeleteFieldValueCtx(
 
   val content = data.asJson
 
-  val titleTemplate = mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)"
+  val titleTemplate = Right(mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)")
   val bodyTemplate =
-    mustache"""{{#content}}{{#field.label}}*{{field.label}}* {{/field.label}}{{^field.label}}*{{field.name}}* {{/field.label}} was removed from {{#items}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}{{#itemUrl}}[`{{name}}`]({{{itemUrl}}}/{{{id}}}){{/itemUrl}}{{^itemUrl}}`{{name}}`{{/itemUrl}}{{/items}}.{{/content}}"""
+    Right(
+      mustache"""{{#content}}{{#field.label}}*{{field.label}}* {{/field.label}}{{^field.label}}*{{field.name}}* {{/field.label}} was removed from {{#items}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}{{#itemUrl}}[`{{name}}`]({{{itemUrl}}}/{{{id}}}){{/itemUrl}}{{^itemUrl}}`{{name}}`{{/itemUrl}}{{/items}}.{{/content}}"""
+    )
 
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/ItemSelectionCtx.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/ItemSelectionCtx.scala
index 9c3a700d..994ab1b9 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/ItemSelectionCtx.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/ItemSelectionCtx.scala
@@ -19,39 +19,29 @@ import doobie._
 import io.circe.Encoder
 import io.circe.syntax._
 import yamusca.implicits._
+import yamusca.imports._
 
 final case class ItemSelectionCtx(event: Event.ItemSelection, data: ItemSelectionCtx.Data)
     extends AbstractEventContext {
-
   val content = data.asJson
 
-  val titleTemplate = mustache"Your items"
-  val bodyTemplate = mustache"""
-Hello {{{ content.username }}},
+  val titleTemplate = Right(mustache"Your items")
+  val bodyTemplate = event.contentStart match {
+    case Some(cnt) =>
+      mustache
+        .parse(cnt)
+        .leftMap { case (in, err) =>
+          s"Error parsing template: $err! Near ${in.pos}: ${in.raw}."
+        }
+        .map(start => start ++ ItemSelectionCtx.basicBody)
 
-this is Docspell informing you about your next items.
+    case None =>
+      Right(ItemSelectionCtx.basicBodyStart ++ ItemSelectionCtx.basicBody)
+  }
 
-{{#content}}
-{{#itemUrl}}
-{{#items}}
-- {{#overDue}}**(OVERDUE)** {{/overDue}}[{{name}}]({{itemUrl}}/{{id}}){{#dueDate}}, {{#overDue}}was {{/overDue}}due {{dueIn}} on *{{dueDate}}*{{/dueDate}}; {{#corrOrg}}from {{corrOrg}}{{/corrOrg}} received on {{date}} via {{source}}
-{{/items}}
-{{/itemUrl}}
-{{^itemUrl}}
-{{#items}}
-- {{#overDue}}**(OVERDUE)** {{/overDue}}*{{name}}*{{#dueDate}}, {{#overDue}}was {{/overDue}}due {{dueIn}} on *{{dueDate}}*{{/dueDate}}; {{#corrOrg}}from {{corrOrg}}{{/corrOrg}} received on {{date}} via {{source}}
-{{/items}}
-{{/itemUrl}}
-{{#more}}
-- … more have been left out for brevity
-{{/more}}
-{{/content}}
-
-
-Sincerely yours,
-
-Docspell
-"""
+  implicit final class TemplateOps(self: Template) {
+    def ++(next: Template) = Template(self.els ++ next.els)
+  }
 }
 
 object ItemSelectionCtx {
@@ -114,4 +104,25 @@ object ItemSelectionCtx {
       )
   }
 
+  private val basicBodyStart = mustache"""
+Hello {{{ content.username }}},
+
+this is Docspell informing you about your next items."""
+
+  private val basicBody = mustache"""
+{{#content}}
+{{#itemUrl}}
+{{#items}}
+- {{#overDue}}**(OVERDUE)** {{/overDue}}[{{name}}]({{itemUrl}}/{{id}}){{#dueDate}}, {{#overDue}}was {{/overDue}}due {{dueIn}} on *{{dueDate}}*{{/dueDate}}; {{#corrOrg}}from {{corrOrg}}{{/corrOrg}} received on {{date}} via {{source}}
+{{/items}}
+{{/itemUrl}}
+{{^itemUrl}}
+{{#items}}
+- {{#overDue}}**(OVERDUE)** {{/overDue}}*{{name}}*{{#dueDate}}, {{#overDue}}was {{/overDue}}due {{dueIn}} on *{{dueDate}}*{{/dueDate}}; {{#corrOrg}}from {{corrOrg}}{{/corrOrg}} received on {{date}} via {{source}}
+{{/items}}
+{{/itemUrl}}
+{{#more}}
+- … more have been left out for brevity
+{{/more}}
+{{/content}}"""
 }
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/JobDoneCtx.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/JobDoneCtx.scala
index 48009186..2b5c9b24 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/JobDoneCtx.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/JobDoneCtx.scala
@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@ final case class JobDoneCtx(event: Event.JobDone, data: JobDoneCtx.Data)
 
   val content = data.asJson
 
-  val titleTemplate = mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)"
-  val bodyTemplate = mustache"""{{#content}}_'{{subject}}'_ finished {{/content}}"""
+  val titleTemplate = Right(mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)")
+  val bodyTemplate = Right(
+    mustache"""{{#content}}_'{{subject}}'_ finished {{/content}}"""
+  )
 }
 
 object JobDoneCtx {
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/JobSubmittedCtx.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/JobSubmittedCtx.scala
index 3fb0bf62..c996fd90 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/JobSubmittedCtx.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/JobSubmittedCtx.scala
@@ -22,9 +22,11 @@ final case class JobSubmittedCtx(event: Event.JobSubmitted, data: JobSubmittedCt
 
   val content = data.asJson
 
-  val titleTemplate = mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)"
+  val titleTemplate = Right(mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)")
   val bodyTemplate =
-    mustache"""{{#content}}_'{{subject}}'_ submitted by {{submitter}} {{/content}}"""
+    Right(
+      mustache"""{{#content}}_'{{subject}}'_ submitted by {{submitter}} {{/content}}"""
+    )
 }
 
 object JobSubmittedCtx {
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/SetFieldValueCtx.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/SetFieldValueCtx.scala
index fd67c714..ebb8dc70 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/SetFieldValueCtx.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/SetFieldValueCtx.scala
@@ -28,9 +28,11 @@ final case class SetFieldValueCtx(event: Event.SetFieldValue, data: SetFieldValu
 
   val content = data.asJson
 
-  val titleTemplate = mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)"
+  val titleTemplate = Right(mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)")
   val bodyTemplate =
-    mustache"""{{#content}}{{#field.label}}*{{field.label}}* {{/field.label}}{{^field.label}}*{{field.name}}* {{/field.label}} was set to '{{value}}' on {{#items}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}{{#itemUrl}}[`{{name}}`]({{{itemUrl}}}/{{{id}}}){{/itemUrl}}{{^itemUrl}}`{{name}}`{{/itemUrl}}{{/items}}.{{/content}}"""
+    Right(
+      mustache"""{{#content}}{{#field.label}}*{{field.label}}* {{/field.label}}{{^field.label}}*{{field.name}}* {{/field.label}} was set to '{{value}}' on {{#items}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}{{#itemUrl}}[`{{name}}`]({{{itemUrl}}}/{{{id}}}){{/itemUrl}}{{^itemUrl}}`{{name}}`{{/itemUrl}}{{/items}}.{{/content}}"""
+    )
 
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/TagsChangedCtx.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/TagsChangedCtx.scala
index ee536482..bd7aa8d4 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/TagsChangedCtx.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/main/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/TagsChangedCtx.scala
@@ -26,10 +26,11 @@ final case class TagsChangedCtx(event: Event.TagsChanged, data: TagsChangedCtx.D
 
   val content = data.asJson
 
-  val titleTemplate = mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)"
+  val titleTemplate = Right(mustache"{{eventType}} (by *{{account.user}}*)")
   val bodyTemplate =
-    mustache"""{{#content}}{{#added}}{{#-first}}Adding {{/-first}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}*{{name}}*{{/added}}{{#removed}}{{#added}}{{#-first}};{{/-first}}{{/added}}{{#-first}} Removing {{/-first}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}*{{name}}*{{/removed}} on {{#items}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}{{#itemUrl}}[`{{name}}`]({{{itemUrl}}}/{{{id}}}){{/itemUrl}}{{^itemUrl}}`{{name}}`{{/itemUrl}}{{/items}}.{{/content}}"""
-
+    Right(
+      mustache"""{{#content}}{{#added}}{{#-first}}Adding {{/-first}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}*{{name}}*{{/added}}{{#removed}}{{#added}}{{#-first}};{{/-first}}{{/added}}{{#-first}} Removing {{/-first}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}*{{name}}*{{/removed}} on {{#items}}{{^-first}}, {{/-first}}{{#itemUrl}}[`{{name}}`]({{{itemUrl}}}/{{{id}}}){{/itemUrl}}{{^itemUrl}}`{{name}}`{{/itemUrl}}{{/items}}.{{/content}}"""
+    )
 }
 
 object TagsChangedCtx {
diff --git a/modules/notification/impl/src/test/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/TagsChangedCtxTest.scala b/modules/notification/impl/src/test/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/TagsChangedCtxTest.scala
index 4aded5c5..094ae368 100644
--- a/modules/notification/impl/src/test/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/TagsChangedCtxTest.scala
+++ b/modules/notification/impl/src/test/scala/docspell/notification/impl/context/TagsChangedCtxTest.scala
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ class TagsChangedCtxTest extends FunSuite {
       TagsChangedCtx.Data(account, List(item), List(tag), Nil, url.some.map(_.asString))
     )
 
-    assertEquals(ctx.defaultTitle, "TagsChanged (by *user2*)")
+    assertEquals(ctx.defaultTitle.toOption.get, "TagsChanged (by *user2*)")
     assertEquals(
-      ctx.defaultBody,
+      ctx.defaultBody.toOption.get,
       "Adding *tag-red* on [`Report 2`](http://test/item-1)."
     )
   }
@@ -65,9 +65,9 @@ class TagsChangedCtxTest extends FunSuite {
       )
     )
 
-    assertEquals(ctx.defaultTitle, "TagsChanged (by *user2*)")
+    assertEquals(ctx.defaultTitle.toOption.get, "TagsChanged (by *user2*)")
     assertEquals(
-      ctx.defaultBody,
+      ctx.defaultBody.toOption.get,
       "Adding *tag-red*; Removing *tag-blue* on [`Report 2`](http://test/item-1)."
     )
   }
diff --git a/modules/restapi/src/main/scala/docspell/restapi/model/PeriodicQuerySettings.scala b/modules/restapi/src/main/scala/docspell/restapi/model/PeriodicQuerySettings.scala
index 964ad125..a3cc89ab 100644
--- a/modules/restapi/src/main/scala/docspell/restapi/model/PeriodicQuerySettings.scala
+++ b/modules/restapi/src/main/scala/docspell/restapi/model/PeriodicQuerySettings.scala
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ final case class PeriodicQuerySettings(
     channel: NotificationChannel,
     query: Option[ItemQuery],
     bookmark: Option[String],
+    contentStart: Option[String],
     schedule: CalEvent
 ) {}
 
diff --git a/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/NotificationRoutes.scala b/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/NotificationRoutes.scala
index c462009e..22d6ec87 100644
--- a/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/NotificationRoutes.scala
+++ b/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/NotificationRoutes.scala
@@ -162,7 +162,11 @@ object NotificationRoutes {
           user.account,
           baseUrl.some
         )
-        resp <- Ok(data.asJsonWithMessage)
+        resp <- data.asJsonWithMessage match {
+          case Right(m) => Ok(m)
+          case Left(err) =>
+            BadRequest(BasicResult(false, s"Unable to render message: $err"))
+        }
       } yield resp
     }
   }
diff --git a/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/PeriodicQueryRoutes.scala b/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/PeriodicQueryRoutes.scala
index 93b90b6e..32e767b8 100644
--- a/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/PeriodicQueryRoutes.scala
+++ b/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/PeriodicQueryRoutes.scala
@@ -144,7 +144,8 @@ object PeriodicQueryRoutes extends MailAddressCodec {
             Right(channel),
             qstr,
             settings.bookmark,
-            Some(baseUrl / "app" / "item")
+            Some(baseUrl / "app" / "item"),
+            settings.contentStart
           )
         )
       }
@@ -167,6 +168,7 @@ object PeriodicQueryRoutes extends MailAddressCodec {
       ch,
       task.args.query.map(_.query).map(ItemQueryParser.parseUnsafe),
       task.args.bookmark,
+      task.args.contentStart,
       task.timer
     )
 }
diff --git a/modules/common/src/main/scala/docspell/common/NotifyDueItemsArgs.scala b/modules/store/src/main/scala/db/migration/NotifyDueItemsArgs.scala
similarity index 87%
rename from modules/common/src/main/scala/docspell/common/NotifyDueItemsArgs.scala
rename to modules/store/src/main/scala/db/migration/NotifyDueItemsArgs.scala
index ff3ff9b1..e664b58f 100644
--- a/modules/common/src/main/scala/docspell/common/NotifyDueItemsArgs.scala
+++ b/modules/store/src/main/scala/db/migration/NotifyDueItemsArgs.scala
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ import io.circe.generic.semiauto._
   *
   * If the structure changes, there must be some database migration to update or remove
   * the json data of the corresponding task.
+  *
+  * @deprecated
+  *   note: This has been removed and copied to this place to be able to migrate away from
+  *   this structure. Replaced by PeriodicDueItemsArgs
   */
 case class NotifyDueItemsArgs(
     account: AccountId,
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/PeriodicQueryTaskForm.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/PeriodicQueryTaskForm.elm
index 38ef5da6..154c6ab5 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/PeriodicQueryTaskForm.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/PeriodicQueryTaskForm.elm
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ type alias Model =
     , queryModel : Comp.PowerSearchInput.Model
     , channelModel : Comp.ChannelForm.Model
     , bookmarkDropdown : Comp.BookmarkDropdown.Model
+    , contentStart : Maybe String
     , formState : FormState
     , loading : Int
     , deleteRequested : Bool
@@ -79,6 +80,7 @@ type Msg
     | QueryMsg Comp.PowerSearchInput.Msg
     | ChannelMsg Comp.ChannelForm.Msg
     | BookmarkMsg Comp.BookmarkDropdown.Msg
+    | SetContentStart String
     | StartOnce
     | Cancel
     | RequestDelete
@@ -115,6 +117,7 @@ initWith flags s =
       , queryModel = res.model
       , channelModel = cfm
       , bookmarkDropdown = bm
+      , contentStart = Nothing
       , formState = FormStateInitial
       , loading = 0
       , summary = s.summary
@@ -151,6 +154,7 @@ init flags ct =
       , queryModel = Comp.PowerSearchInput.init
       , channelModel = cfm
       , bookmarkDropdown = bm
+      , contentStart = Nothing
       , formState = FormStateInitial
       , loading = 0
       , summary = Nothing
@@ -218,6 +222,7 @@ makeSettings model =
                 , channel = channel
                 , query = Tuple.first q
                 , bookmark = Tuple.second q
+                , contentStart = model.contentStart
             }
     in
     Result.map3 make
@@ -299,6 +304,13 @@ update flags msg model =
             , sub = Sub.none
             }
 
+        SetContentStart str ->
+            { model = { model | contentStart = Util.Maybe.fromString str }
+            , action = NoAction
+            , cmd = Cmd.none
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            }
+
         ToggleEnabled ->
             { model =
                 { model
@@ -545,6 +557,22 @@ view texts extraClasses settings model =
                 , queryInput
                 ]
             ]
+        , div [ class "mb-4" ]
+            [ formHeader texts.messageContentTitle False
+            , label [ class S.inputLabel ]
+                [ text texts.messageContentLabel
+                ]
+            , textarea
+                [ onInput SetContentStart
+                , Maybe.withDefault "" model.contentStart |> value
+                , placeholder texts.messageContentPlaceholder
+                , class S.textAreaInput
+                ]
+                []
+            , span [ class "text-sm opacity-75" ]
+                [ text texts.messageContentInfo
+                ]
+            ]
         , div [ class "mb-4" ]
             [ formHeader texts.schedule False
             , label [ class S.inputLabel ]
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Data/PeriodicQuerySettings.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Data/PeriodicQuerySettings.elm
index 6a3a5b1e..73603fc1 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Data/PeriodicQuerySettings.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Data/PeriodicQuerySettings.elm
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ type alias PeriodicQuerySettings =
     , channel : NotificationChannel
     , query : Maybe String
     , bookmark : Maybe String
+    , contentStart : Maybe String
     , schedule : String
     }
 
@@ -32,19 +33,21 @@ empty ct =
     , channel = Data.NotificationChannel.empty ct
     , query = Nothing
     , bookmark = Nothing
+    , contentStart = Nothing
     , schedule = ""
     }
 
 
 decoder : D.Decoder PeriodicQuerySettings
 decoder =
-    D.map7 PeriodicQuerySettings
+    D.map8 PeriodicQuerySettings
         (D.field "id" D.string)
         (D.field "enabled" D.bool)
         (D.maybe (D.field "summary" D.string))
         (D.field "channel" Data.NotificationChannel.decoder)
         (D.maybe (D.field "query" D.string))
         (D.maybe (D.field "bookmark" D.string))
+        (D.maybe (D.field "contentStart" D.string))
         (D.field "schedule" D.string)
 
 
@@ -57,5 +60,6 @@ encode s =
         , ( "channel", Data.NotificationChannel.encode s.channel )
         , ( "query", Maybe.map E.string s.query |> Maybe.withDefault E.null )
         , ( "bookmark", Maybe.map E.string s.bookmark |> Maybe.withDefault E.null )
+        , ( "contentStart", Maybe.map E.string s.contentStart |> Maybe.withDefault E.null )
         , ( "schedule", E.string s.schedule )
         ]
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Messages/Comp/PeriodicQueryTaskForm.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Messages/Comp/PeriodicQueryTaskForm.elm
index e988ce72..49e717a7 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Messages/Comp/PeriodicQueryTaskForm.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Messages/Comp/PeriodicQueryTaskForm.elm
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ type alias Texts =
     , channelRequired : String
     , queryStringRequired : String
     , channelHeader : ChannelType -> String
+    , messageContentTitle : String
+    , messageContentLabel : String
+    , messageContentInfo : String
+    , messageContentPlaceholder : String
     }
 
 
@@ -71,6 +75,10 @@ gb =
     , channelRequired = "A valid channel must be given."
     , queryStringRequired = "A query string and/or bookmark must be supplied"
     , channelHeader = \ct -> "Connection details for " ++ Messages.Data.ChannelType.gb ct
+    , messageContentTitle = "Customize message"
+    , messageContentLabel = "Beginning of message"
+    , messageContentInfo = "Insert text that is prependend to the generated message."
+    , messageContentPlaceholder = "Hello, this is Docspell informing you about new items …"
     }
 
 
@@ -100,4 +108,8 @@ de =
     , channelRequired = "Ein Versandkanal muss angegeben werden."
     , queryStringRequired = "Eine Suchabfrage und/oder ein Bookmark muss angegeben werden."
     , channelHeader = \ct -> "Details für " ++ Messages.Data.ChannelType.de ct
+    , messageContentTitle = "Nachricht anpassen"
+    , messageContentLabel = "Anfang der Nachricht"
+    , messageContentInfo = "Dieser Text wird an den Anfang der generierten Nachricht angefügt."
+    , messageContentPlaceholder = "Hallo, hier ist Docspell mit den nächsten Themen …"
     }