mcp-mail

Name: mcp-mail
Author: Annseraf

by Annserafversion 1.0.2i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.Annseraf/mcp-mail

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Self-hosted IMAP/SMTP email for any MCP client, with per-client permissions and audit log.

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi1 of 1 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiNot measured yet★ –

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Chat & email

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Before you install

Basic checks: 1 of 1 passed
Runs on your computer with your user’s permissions (files, network, apps).
You fill in yourself: ACCOUNTS_FILE, STDIO_PRESET

You need

npmNode.js installed (for the npx command)

Which app do you use?

ClaudeClaude CodeCursorVS CodeChatGPT

Pick your app above. We remember it, so next time the button says “Install in …”.

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mail": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@annseraf/mcp-mail",
        "stdio"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ACCOUNTS_FILE": "your-value",
        "STDIO_PRESET": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add mail --env ACCOUNTS_FILE=your-value --env STDIO_PRESET=your-value -- npx -y @annseraf/mcp-mail stdio

Fill in the empty values before running it.

Open in Cursor

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mail": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@annseraf/mcp-mail",
        "stdio"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ACCOUNTS_FILE": "your-value",
        "STDIO_PRESET": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

Open in VS Code

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "mail": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@annseraf/mcp-mail",
        "stdio"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ACCOUNTS_FILE": "your-value",
        "STDIO_PRESET": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

This one runs on your computer, and ChatGPT can only connect to servers on the internet. Pick another app.

Your choice stays on this device in a cookie; no account needed.

Values you fill in

ACCOUNTS_FILE env
Path to accounts.json (default ~/.config/mcp-mail/accounts.json)
STDIO_PRESET env
read-only | read-draft | organize | full-no-delete | full

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 7, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account Annseraf, which owns the repo
… Not checked yet
Still maintained
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Compared with others in Chat & emaili

More stars than 0% of the other 1784 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 85% of the other 1784 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 1784 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is mcp-mail safe?

It passed 1 of 1 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed –, and the latest version (1.0.2) reached the registry 4 days ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Node.js on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Vexa, emailmd, MCP WhatsApp Cloud

Alternatives

Servers in the same category from other makers, sorted by stars.

Reading a card:★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

Vexa

by Vexa-ai

Meeting bot and transcripts for Google Meet, Teams and Zoom. Live or after, speakers labelled.

Runs in the cloud★ 2,949Apache-2.0Updated 2 months ago

Install

emailmd

by anypost

Render markdown into email-safe HTML, lint drafts for deliverability problems, and preview emails.

Computer or cloud★ 1,385MITUpdated 32 days ago

Install

MCP WhatsApp Cloud

by codespar

MCP server for WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta) — messages, media, and templates via Graph API

Runs on your computer★ 277MITUpdated 5 months ago

Install

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

mcp-mail

mcp-mail is a self-hosted IMAP/SMTP email MCP server that lets Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and any other MCP client read, search, draft and send email from your existing mailbox, with per-client permissions, an audit log and a one-line install.

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Annseraf/mcp-mail/main/install.sh | sudo bash -s -- --auto-update

Local clients (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code) can run it directly: npx -y @annseraf/mcp-mail stdio.

mcp-mail is a maintained continuation of claude-mail-mcp by Markus Stöger (MIT). Existing claude-mail-mcp v0.2 installs can switch with no config changes (compatibility contract).

Works with

AI clients: Claude.ai, Claude Desktop, Claude Code, ChatGPT (developer mode, deep research), Cursor, VS Code, Meta Muse, and any MCP client over Streamable HTTP or stdio. Setup guides: docs/clients.
Mail providers: any IMAP/SMTP mailbox: Fastmail, iCloud, Purelymail, Gmail and Google Workspace (app password), Yahoo, Zoho, Mailbox.org, Migadu, Mailcow, Dovecot/Postfix.
Calendars: any CalDAV server (Fastmail, iCloud, Nextcloud, Radicale), optional.
MCP protocol: 2026-07-28 (stateless) and every earlier revision since 2024-11-05, on the same endpoint.

Tools

Tool	What it does	Capability
`list_accounts`	List connected mailboxes, sender names and signatures (never credentials)	read
`list_folders`	List folders with their special use (Inbox, Sent, Drafts, Trash)	read
`list_messages`	Newest messages in a folder, with short previews	read
`search_messages`	Search one folder, several, or all (`"*"`) by sender, subject, body, date, read or flagged	read
`get_message`	Read one message: headers, body, attachment list, threading ids	read
`get_attachment`	Download one attachment (size-capped)	read
`get_thread`	Read a whole conversation across Inbox and Sent, oldest first	read
`list_threads`	Group a folder's newest messages into conversations	read
`create_draft`	Save a draft (with attachments); `reply_to_uid` fills in the reply for you	draft
`mark_read`	Mark a message read or unread	organize
`set_flags`	Star (flag), mark answered, or add custom keywords	organize
`move_message`	Move a message to another folder	organize
`delete_message`	Move to Trash; `permanent: true` deletes for good	organize / destructive
`send_message`	Send an email (with attachments and signature); a copy goes to Sent	send
`update_account_settings`	Change the sender display name and signature	settings
`list_calendars`, `list_events`, `find_free_slot`	Read calendars and find free time	calendar-read
`create_event`	Create a calendar event	calendar-write
`search`, `fetch`	ChatGPT deep research adapters (`CHATGPT_COMPAT=true`)	read

Comparison

	mcp-mail	claude-mail-mcp v0.2
Transport	Streamable HTTP (2026-07-28 + legacy) and stdio	Streamable HTTP
Auth	Built-in OAuth 2.1 (DCR, PKCE), per-client tokens, shared token	Shared token + separate OAuth shim
Per-client permissions	Presets, tool allow/deny, mailbox scope, recipient allowlist, send rate limit	—
Read-only mode	`read-only` preset (or `STDIO_PRESET=read-only`)	—
Revoke one client	Yes, others keep working	Rotate the shared secret
Attachments	Send, draft and download	Send only
Threads, flags, multi-folder search	Yes	—
Audit log	JSONL, no message content	—
Prompt-injection hygiene	Untrusted-content fencing, hidden-HTML stripping, server instructions	—
Multi-tenant + admin API	Opt-in, with OpenAPI spec	—
Install and updates	One-line installer, signed releases, auto-update with rollback	Manual

Other IMAP MCP servers worth a look, depending on your needs: codefuturist/email-mcp (TypeScript, IMAP/SMTP, many tools), tecnologicachile/mail-mcp (Rust, IMAP/SMTP plus Microsoft Graph and EWS) and wildsurfer/your-mail-mcp (read-only, local notmuch index). Check their READMEs for current features.

FAQ

How do I give ChatGPT read-only access to my email?

Run mcp-mail clients add chatgpt --for chatgpt (OAuth login, read-only preset), enable OAUTH=true, and add the server in ChatGPT's developer mode. ChatGPT only ever sees the read tools. See docs/clients/chatgpt.md.

Can I use this with Fastmail, iCloud, Purelymail or Gmail?

Yes. Anything that speaks IMAP and SMTP works. For Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo and Fastmail, create an app password in the provider's security settings and use it instead of your normal password.

How do I stop an AI agent from sending email?

Give the agent a preset without send (read-only, read-draft or organize). The send tool then disappears from its tool list and is rejected if called anyway. For agents that may send, restrict recipients with sendRecipientAllowlist and cap volume with sendRateLimit. See docs/CLIENTS.md.

Can an email trick the AI into doing something?

Emails are untrusted input. mcp-mail wraps every body in untrusted-content delimiters, strips hidden HTML text and tracking pixels, and tells clients to confirm sends and deletions with you. Keep sending off for agents that don't need it. See SECURITY.md.

Does deleting a message lose it forever?

No. delete_message moves the message to Trash. Permanent deletion needs permanent: true and a client with the destructive capability.

Where are my passwords stored?

In accounts.json on your server (optionally encrypted at rest with mcp-mail secrets encrypt). In multi-tenant mode, credentials are envelope-encrypted per tenant with a local key file or OCI Vault. They are never returned by any tool, API or log.

Can my agent sign emails?

Yes. Each account can have a sender display name and a signature, set in accounts.json or by the agent itself with update_account_settings. Pass include_signature: false to send without it.

I'm on claude-mail-mcp. Do I need to change anything?

No. Swap the binary; your .env, accounts.json and connected clients keep working. CI enforces this against recorded v0.2.1 behavior.

Security model

Binds to 127.0.0.1 by default; put nginx or Caddy in front for TLS.
Clients authenticate with OAuth 2.1 (PKCE, rotating refresh tokens), per-client static tokens (stored hashed), or the legacy shared token.
Every tool call is checked against the client's policy twice: when listing tools and when calling them.
The audit log records who did what, never message content.
Mail content is fenced as untrusted; sends and deletions should be confirmed by a human.
Releases are built by CI from tagged commits only, with checksums and provenance attestation.

Details: SECURITY.md, docs/CLIENTS.md, docs/PLATFORM.md.

Configuration

.env: transport settings (.env.example). Everything new is optional.
accounts.json: mailboxes (same format as claude-mail-mcp; optional fromName/signature).
clients.json: per-client identities and policies (docs/CLIENTS.md).
Multi-tenant mode and the admin API: docs/PLATFORM.md.

Upgrading

From claude-mail-mcp v0.2.x: no config changes required. Install mcp-mail pointing at the same .env, accounts.json and (if you use one) OAuth state. New features stay off until you enable them. Two approved behavior changes are listed in docs/COMPATIBILITY.md: deleting moves to Trash, and email content is fenced as untrusted (UNTRUSTED_FENCING=false restores the old output).

Development

npm ci

npm run check # lint, format, typecheck, unit tests, license scan, build npm run test:compat # compatibility gate + integration suites (needs GreenMail, see docs/COMPATIBILITY.md)

Adding a tool: docs/ADDING_A_TOOL.md. Contributions: CONTRIBUTING.md.

mcp-mail

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Before you install

Values you fill in

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Compared with others in Chat & emaili

Common questions

Alternatives

Vexa

emailmd

MCP WhatsApp Cloud

README from the maker

mcp-mail

Works with

Tools

Comparison

FAQ

How do I give ChatGPT read-only access to my email?

Can I use this with Fastmail, iCloud, Purelymail or Gmail?

How do I stop an AI agent from sending email?

Can an email trick the AI into doing something?

Does deleting a message lose it forever?

Where are my passwords stored?

Can my agent sign emails?

I'm on claude-mail-mcp. Do I need to change anything?

Security model

Configuration

Upgrading

Development

License