name: gmail
description: |
Interact with Gmail - search emails, read messages, send emails, create drafts, and manage labels.
Use when user asks to: search email, read email, send email, create email draft, mark as read,
archive email, star email, or manage Gmail labels. Lightweight alternative to full Google
Workspace MCP server with standalone OAuth authentication.

Gmail

Lightweight Gmail integration with standalone OAuth authentication. No MCP server required.

⚠️ Requires Google Workspace account. Personal Gmail accounts are not supported.

First-Time Setup

Authenticate with Google (opens browser):

python scripts/auth.py login

Check authentication status:

python scripts/auth.py status

Logout when needed:

python scripts/auth.py logout

Commands

All operations via scripts/gmail.py. Auto-authenticates on first use if not logged in.

Search Emails

# Search with Gmail query syntax
python scripts/gmail.py search "from:[email protected] is:unread"

# Search recent emails (no query returns all)
python scripts/gmail.py search --limit 20

# Filter by label
python scripts/gmail.py search --label INBOX --limit 10

# Include spam and trash
python scripts/gmail.py search "subject:important" --include-spam-trash

Read Email Content

# Get full message content
python scripts/gmail.py get MESSAGE_ID

# Get just metadata (headers)
python scripts/gmail.py get MESSAGE_ID --format metadata

# Get minimal response (IDs only)
python scripts/gmail.py get MESSAGE_ID --format minimal

Send Emails

# Send a simple email
python scripts/gmail.py send --to "[email protected]" --subject "Hello" --body "Message body"

# Send with CC and BCC
python scripts/gmail.py send --to "[email protected]" --cc "[email protected]" --bcc "[email protected]" \
  --subject "Team Update" --body "Update message"

# Send HTML email
python scripts/gmail.py send --to "[email protected]" --subject "HTML Email" \
  --body "<h1>Hello</h1><p>HTML content</p>" --html

Draft Management

# Create a draft
python scripts/gmail.py create-draft --to "[email protected]" --subject "Draft Subject" \
  --body "Draft content"

# Send an existing draft
python scripts/gmail.py send-draft DRAFT_ID

Modify Messages (Labels)

# Mark as read (remove UNREAD label)
python scripts/gmail.py modify MESSAGE_ID --remove-label UNREAD

# Mark as unread
python scripts/gmail.py modify MESSAGE_ID --add-label UNREAD

# Archive (remove from INBOX)
python scripts/gmail.py modify MESSAGE_ID --remove-label INBOX

# Star a message
python scripts/gmail.py modify MESSAGE_ID --add-label STARRED

# Unstar a message
python scripts/gmail.py modify MESSAGE_ID --remove-label STARRED

# Mark as important
python scripts/gmail.py modify MESSAGE_ID --add-label IMPORTANT

# Multiple label changes at once
python scripts/gmail.py modify MESSAGE_ID --remove-label UNREAD --add-label STARRED

List Labels

# List all Gmail labels (system and user-created)
python scripts/gmail.py list-labels

Gmail Query Syntax

Gmail supports powerful search operators:

Combine with AND (space), OR, or - (NOT):

python scripts/gmail.py search "from:[email protected] is:unread newer_than:1d"
python scripts/gmail.py search "subject:urgent OR subject:important"
python scripts/gmail.py search "from:[email protected] -is:starred"

Common Label IDs

Token Management

Tokens stored securely using the system keyring:
- macOS: Keychain
- Windows: Windows Credential Locker
- Linux: Secret Service API (GNOME Keyring, KDE Wallet, etc.)

Service name: gmail-skill-oauth

Tokens automatically refresh when expired using Google's cloud function.