---
name: Email on Mac (Local MCP)
description: Use when the user wants to read, search, summarize, draft or triage their Apple Mail / Gmail / Outlook / iCloud email on a Mac. Powered by Local MCP's local Mail tools — no API keys.
---

# Working with email via Local MCP

Local MCP reads Apple Mail directly on the user's Mac (Gmail, Outlook, iCloud — any account in Mail.app). 100% local, no API keys.

## Core tools
- `list_email_accounts` — see the user's accounts first if there are several.
- `list_emails` — recent headers. **On a multi-account Mac, always pass `account="<name>"`** to avoid scanning every account (slow). Use `offset` to page (limit caps at 50).
- `search_emails` — search by text; pass `account=` to scope and stay fast.
- `read_email` — full body of one message (pass `account=` and `mailbox=` from the list result to make the lookup fast).
- `create_draft` — compose a draft in Mail's Drafts for the user to review and send. **Never auto-send.**

## Good practice
- Lead with `list_email_accounts` when unsure which account.
- Summarize threads; don't dump raw bodies.
- For "reply to X", use `create_draft` with `reply_to_message_id` — the user sends it themselves.
- If a tool returns a permission or install message, relay the one-click setup step to the user; it means the free Mac app isn't installed/granted yet.