---
name: gmail-automation
description: "Lightweight Gmail integration with standalone OAuth authentication. No MCP server required."
license: Apache-2.0
risk: critical
source: community
date_added: "2026-09-04"
metadata:
  author: sanjay3290
  version: "1.0"
---
## Supporting material availability

This catalog copy contains the inline guidance below, but does not include the following supporting paths. They are external prerequisites, not bundled files:

- `<support-root>/scripts/auth.py`
- `<support-root>/scripts/gmail.py`

Ask for the original supporting material or an existing installation before using a step that depends on these paths; this catalog does not identify a verified download source for them. Resolve each path relative to that installation, inspect its contents, and verify any applicable license and execution prerequisites. Do not run a command or claim a referenced procedure was followed until its required file exists. Do not fabricate the missing scripts or treat an unrelated file with the same name as equivalent. Independent steps fully documented here can proceed within the user’s authorized scope; report any dependent step as unavailable.


# Gmail

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

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

## When to Use
- You need to search, read, or send Gmail messages from the command line without an MCP server.
- You are automating inbox workflows for a Google Workspace account.
- You want a lightweight Gmail integration backed by standalone OAuth scripts.

## First-Time Setup

Authenticate with Google (opens browser):
```bash
python scripts/auth.py login
```

Check authentication status:
```bash
python scripts/auth.py status
```

Logout when needed:
```bash
python scripts/auth.py logout
```

## Commands

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

### Search Emails

```bash
# Search with Gmail query syntax
python scripts/gmail.py search "from:someone@example.com 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

```bash
# 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

```bash
# Send a simple email
python scripts/gmail.py send --to "user@example.com" --subject "Hello" --body "Message body"

# Send with CC and BCC
python scripts/gmail.py send --to "user@example.com" --cc "cc@example.com" --bcc "bcc@example.com" \
  --subject "Team Update" --body "Update message"

# Send from an alias (must be configured in Gmail settings)
python scripts/gmail.py send --to "user@example.com" --subject "Hello" --body "Message" \
  --from "Mile9 Accounts <accounts@mile9.io>"

# Send HTML email
python scripts/gmail.py send --to "user@example.com" --subject "HTML Email" \
  --body "<h1>Hello</h1><p>HTML content</p>" --html
```

### Draft Management

```bash
# Create a draft
python scripts/gmail.py create-draft --to "user@example.com" --subject "Draft Subject" \
  --body "Draft content"

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

### Modify Messages (Labels)

```bash
# 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

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

## Gmail Query Syntax

Gmail supports powerful search operators:

| Query | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `from:user@example.com` | Emails from a specific sender |
| `to:user@example.com` | Emails to a specific recipient |
| `subject:meeting` | Emails with "meeting" in subject |
| `is:unread` | Unread emails |
| `is:starred` | Starred emails |
| `is:important` | Important emails |
| `has:attachment` | Emails with attachments |
| `after:2024/01/01` | Emails after a date |
| `before:2024/12/31` | Emails before a date |
| `newer_than:7d` | Emails from last 7 days |
| `older_than:1m` | Emails older than 1 month |
| `label:work` | Emails with a specific label |
| `in:inbox` | Emails in inbox |
| `in:sent` | Sent emails |
| `in:trash` | Trashed emails |

Combine with AND (space), OR, or - (NOT):
```bash
python scripts/gmail.py search "from:boss@company.com is:unread newer_than:1d"
python scripts/gmail.py search "subject:urgent OR subject:important"
python scripts/gmail.py search "from:newsletter@example.com -is:starred"
```

## Common Label IDs

| Label | ID |
|-------|-----|
| Inbox | `INBOX` |
| Sent | `SENT` |
| Drafts | `DRAFT` |
| Spam | `SPAM` |
| Trash | `TRASH` |
| Starred | `STARRED` |
| Important | `IMPORTANT` |
| Unread | `UNREAD` |

## 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.

## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.