Claude Learning Series · Connectors · fig. 01
Gmail — an inbox that answers back.
Connect Claude to Gmail and your inbox becomes something you can ask questions of — summaries, follow-ups, and drafts from your real email.
What it does
Claude can read, search, and summarize your actual email, and draft replies for you. Nothing is sent without you — Claude prepares drafts, you review and hit send.
How to install
- Open Claude (claude.ai or the desktop app) and go to Settings → Connectors.
- Find Gmail and click Connect.
- Sign in with your Google account and approve the permissions screen.
Use cases
uc/01The Monday catch-up
"Summarize the emails I received over the weekend. Which ones actually need a response from me?"
uc/02The follow-up sweep
"Which emails I sent last week never got a reply? Draft polite follow-ups for the important ones."
uc/03Drafts in your voice
"Find the thread about the Henderson invoice dispute and draft a firm but friendly reply proposing a payment plan."
uc/04Email archaeology
"Search my email for what we agreed with Baker Supply about pricing last spring. Quote the exact language."
uc/05The attachment roundup
"Find every attachment in the Westside project threads from the last two months and list what each one contains."
uc/06Triage by action
"Sort today's unread email into three lists: needs my decision, can be delegated, just FYI."
Good to know: Claude only touches email when you ask within a conversation, and you can disconnect anytime from the same menu. For inboxes carrying regulated or client-confidential data, talk to us before connecting — that's the situation our local-first tools exist for.