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Build an Email AI Agent with Navin

This guide turns Navin into an email AI agent that polls IMAP for accepted messages and replies through SMTP - configured from Settings in the desktop app.

What this guide builds

  • a dedicated mailbox for Navin
  • IMAP and SMTP credentials in Settings → Channels → Email
  • an allowed sender list
  • Navin left open so it can poll and reply

Prerequisites

  • Navin desktop app able to reply in local chat
  • A mailbox for the bot
  • IMAP and SMTP access (for Gmail, use an app password rather than your account password)

Enable Email in Settings

  1. Open Settings → Channels → Email.
  2. Enable the channel and grant mailbox consent when prompted.
  3. Fill IMAP host/port/username/password and SMTP host/port/username/password.
  4. Set the from-address and a narrow allow from list (your real email first).
  5. Enable auto-reply when you want Navin to answer accepted mail.
  6. Save, restart when prompted, and keep Navin open long enough for the poll interval.

Typical Gmail values: IMAP imap.gmail.com:993, SMTP smtp.gmail.com:587, plus an app password.

Test a message

Send an email from an address in the allow list to the bot mailbox. Keep Navin open until the poll cycle receives it.

Security notes

  • Use a dedicated mailbox, not your primary personal inbox.
  • Clear consent / disable the channel to fully stop mailbox access.
  • Email does not use DM pairing. Keep the allow list narrow; allowing everyone accepts mail from anyone.
  • Prefer Settings fields or OS secrets for mailbox passwords - do not commit them.
  • Enable attachment types only when the agent needs them.

Troubleshooting

  • Login fails: confirm IMAP/SMTP access and app-password setup.
  • Bot reads but does not reply: check auto-reply, SMTP settings, and allowed sender addresses.
  • Attachments missing: review allowed attachment types and size limits in the channel panel.

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