If you like the
intuitive way the Org-mode structure editing and list formatting
works, you might want to use these commands in other modes like
Text mode or Mail mode as well. The minor mode
orgstruct-mode makes this possible. Toggle the mode
with M-x orgstruct-mode, or turn it on by default, for
example in Mail mode, with one of:
(add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
(add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct++)
When this mode is active and the cursor is on a line that
looks to Org like a headline or the first line of a list item,
most structure editing commands will work, even if the same keys
normally have different functionality in the major mode you are
using. If the cursor is not in one of those special lines,
Orgstruct mode lurks silently in the shadows. When you use
orgstruct++-mode, Org will also export indentation
and autofill settings into that mode, and detect item context
after the first line of an item.