# Let an agent use Gmail and Calendar

> Scheduling and inbox triage eat the first hour of every day.

This setup is for people who spend the start of each day sorting email and juggling meetings. Claude reads your Gmail and Google Calendar through a community Workspace MCP server, drafts replies, suggests meeting times and sends you a morning brief in Slack. You end up with drafts waiting for review and a short list of what matters today.

## Steps

1. **Create Google OAuth credentials**: In Google Cloud Console, create a project, enable the Gmail API and Google Calendar API, and create an OAuth client of type Desktop app. Configure the consent screen and add yourself as a test user if the app stays in testing. Request read-only Gmail and Calendar scopes to begin with.
   Tip: Use a separate Cloud project for the agent so you can revoke it without touching other apps.
2. **Run the Workspace MCP server**: Install a Google Workspace MCP server, such as the open-source google_workspace_mcp project, and pass your OAuth client ID and secret as environment variables. Register it in Claude Desktop's config file or with claude mcp add in Claude Code, then complete the browser sign-in. Ask Claude to list today's events to confirm it works.
   Tip: Read the server's README for the exact environment variable names; they differ between projects.
3. **Start with drafts**: Ask Claude to draft replies in Gmail rather than send them, and to propose meeting slots without creating events. Review the drafts in Gmail for tone, names and dates. Add the compose or calendar write scope only once the drafts are consistently right.
   Tip: Tell Claude which emails it should never answer, such as anything from legal or HR.
4. **Get a morning brief**: Add the Slack MCP server limited to posting in your own DM or a private channel. Ask Claude each morning for unread emails that need a reply, today's meetings with prep notes, and conflicts. Keep the brief short so you read it.
   Tip: Run it from Claude Code on a schedule if you want the brief waiting before you log in.

## Prompts to try

- List the unread emails from the last 24 hours that need a reply from me and draft answers for the three most urgent.
- Find a 30-minute slot next week when both Sam and I are free and draft an invite email, but don't create the event yet.
- Post my morning brief to my Slack DM: today's meetings, anything double-booked and emails waiting on me.
- Summarise the email thread with the supplier about the delayed order and draft a polite follow-up.
- Show me every meeting next week that has no agenda in the description.

## What you need

- A Google account and a Google Cloud project with Gmail and Calendar APIs enabled
- An OAuth client ID and secret
- Python or Node, depending on the Workspace MCP server you choose
- Claude Desktop or Claude Code, plus Slack for the brief

## Limits

- Claude can misjudge which emails matter; check the brief against your inbox for the first weeks.
- Time zones and recurring events cause most scheduling mistakes, so confirm proposed slots before sending invites.
- Google may show an unverified app warning and expire test tokens, which means signing in again periodically.

## Security notes

- Community server. Review the source before installing.
- Grant read scopes first; add send/write only when needed.

## MCP servers

- [Google Workspace MCP Server](https://github.com/taylorwilsdon/google_workspace_mcp): gmail-read, gmail-send, calendar-read, calendar-write
- [Slack MCP Server](https://docs.slack.dev/ai/mcp-server): channel-read, message-write

## FAQ

**Is this server official?**

No. Google Workspace MCP servers are community projects, so read the source and check how they store tokens before installing. Your OAuth tokens give access to your mailbox, so treat the machine running the server as sensitive.

**Does it work with a Google Workspace work account?**

Often yes, but your admin may block unverified OAuth apps or limit API access. Ask your Workspace admin before setting it up on a company account.

**Can Claude send email on its own?**

Only if you grant a send scope and the server exposes a send tool. Keep to drafts until you trust the output, and keep tool approval prompts switched on in Claude.

**Does it cost anything?**

The Gmail and Calendar APIs are free for normal personal use within Google's quotas. You still need a Claude plan that supports MCP servers.

## Tools

- **[Gmail](https://suiteintent.com/t/gmail?m=GB)**: Google's email service. · Best for: Email next to Google Calendar and Drive · Free plan
- **[Google Calendar](https://suiteintent.com/t/google-calendar?m=GB)**: Google's online calendar. · Best for: Client bookings without a separate tool · Free plan
- **[Slack](https://suiteintent.com/t/slack?m=GB)**: Team messaging organised in channels. · Best for: Moving team chat out of email · Free plan · Free for nonprofits