A Model Context Protocol server that provides email access via IMAP and SMTP, enabling AI agents to read, search, send, and manage emails. It features specialized tools for folder management, message retrieval, and replying to threads through a stand
What is Email?
Email is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to model context protocol server that provides email access via imap and smtp, enabling ai agents to read, search, send, and manage emails. it features specialized tools for folder management, message re...
A Model Context Protocol server that provides email access via IMAP and SMTP, enabling AI agents to read, search, send, and manage emails. It features specialized tools for folder management, message retrieval, and replying to threads through a stand
This server falls under the Communication category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- A Model Context Protocol server that provides email access v
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx email-mcp-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Email
The Email MCP Server provides AI assistants with full email access via IMAP and SMTP, covering reading, searching, sending, and managing messages across a wide range of providers including Gmail, Outlook, QQ Mail, 163, and others. It exposes seven tools that handle everything from auto-configuring your account to sending HTML emails with attachments, making it possible to compose, retrieve, and respond to email entirely through natural language. This is ideal for automating email workflows or giving an AI agent the ability to handle inbox management on your behalf.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 16+ installed (for running via npx or npm)
- An email account with IMAP and SMTP access enabled (for Gmail, enable 'Less secure app access' or use an App Password)
- Your email address, password or app-specific password, and knowledge of your provider type
- An MCP client such as Claude Desktop
Install the package
Install the mcp-email package globally so it can be invoked by Claude Desktop, or run it on-demand with npx.
npm install -g mcp-emailPrepare your email credentials
Gather your EMAIL_USER (full email address), EMAIL_PASSWORD (password or app password), and identify your EMAIL_TYPE. Supported types are: auto, qq, 163, gmail, outlook, exmail, netease-enterprise, aliyun, sina, sohu. Use 'auto' for automatic detection.
Configure Claude Desktop
Add the email server entry to your claude_desktop_config.json with your credentials as environment variables.
{
"mcpServers": {
"email": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-email"],
"env": {
"EMAIL_USER": "[email protected]",
"EMAIL_PASSWORD": "your-app-password",
"EMAIL_TYPE": "gmail"
}
}
}
}Restart Claude Desktop
Fully quit and relaunch Claude Desktop so it loads the new server configuration. The email tools should appear in the MCP panel.
Verify the connection
Ask Claude to test your email connection using the test_email_connection tool, which validates both SMTP and IMAP connectivity without sending a message.
Email Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration for Gmail using an app-specific password.
{
"mcpServers": {
"email": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-email"],
"env": {
"EMAIL_USER": "[email protected]",
"EMAIL_PASSWORD": "abcd efgh ijkl mnop",
"EMAIL_TYPE": "gmail"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Sample prompts covering the key email tools exposed by this server.
- "Retrieve my last 10 emails from the past 7 days"
- "Send an email to [email protected] with subject 'Project Update' summarizing our chat"
- "Show me the full content of the email with UID 12345"
- "What email providers does this server support?"
- "Test my current IMAP and SMTP connection"Troubleshooting Email
Gmail authentication fails with 'Invalid credentials'
Gmail requires an App Password when 2-factor authentication is enabled. Go to your Google Account > Security > App Passwords, generate one for 'Mail', and use that 16-character code as EMAIL_PASSWORD instead of your regular password.
IMAP connection times out
Ensure IMAP is enabled in your email provider settings. For Gmail: Settings > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP > IMAP access > Enable IMAP. For Outlook: Settings > Mail > Sync email > toggle IMAP on.
EMAIL_TYPE 'auto' fails to detect provider
Specify the provider explicitly using one of the supported EMAIL_TYPE values: gmail, outlook, qq, 163, exmail, netease-enterprise, aliyun, sina, or sohu. If your provider is not in the list, use configure_email_server to set SMTP/IMAP hosts and ports manually.
Frequently Asked Questions about Email
What is Email?
Email is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that model context protocol server that provides email access via imap and smtp, enabling ai agents to read, search, send, and manage emails. it features specialized tools for folder management, message retrieval, and replying to threads through a stand It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Email?
Follow the installation instructions on the Email GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Email?
Email works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Email free to use?
Yes, Email is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Browse More Communication MCP Servers
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