n8n workflow (JSON)Untested
n8n: Gmail draft-reply assistant
Importable n8n workflow: watches unread Gmail, skips newsletters, drafts a reply with AI, saves it as a Gmail draft and labels it. Never sends.
Answer email
An email agent reads incoming mail, sorts it, and writes reply drafts from your own reply guide. The safest design creates drafts only — you review and press Send.
How to set it up
- Write a one-page reply guide (hours, prices, policies, top answers).
- Connect Gmail or Outlook to an automation tool.
- Add one AI step that writes the reply.
- End with “Create draft”, never “Send”.
- Test on 10 sample emails before going live.
Recommended tools
- ZapierFrom $19.99/mo · Free plan: 100 tasks/moSource guide →
- n8nCheck pricing · Self-host free; cloud Starter €20/mo billed annuallySource guide →
- LindyFrom $49.99/mo · $50 in free credits (7 days)Source guide →
- MakeFrom $9/mo · Free plan: 1,000 credits/moSource guide →
Prices as cited in our guides; confirm on the vendor's page before you buy.
Templates for this task
All templates →Step-by-step recipeUntested
Zapier: AI email draft recipe
Six steps to a Zap that writes AI reply drafts in Gmail or Outlook, with a safety checklist and task-cost notes.
Scenario blueprintUntested
Make: inbox → AI draft → approval
Module-by-module Make blueprint with filters, Slack approval nudge and error handling. About 4–5 credits per email.
Prompt packUntested
Prompt pack: email triage
Four prompts: JSON triage classifier, reply drafter with "[CHECK]" guardrails, daily digest, tone fixer.
Related guides
Email & Inbox Agents
How to Build an AI Email Assistant That Drafts but Never Sends Without You
A step-by-step recipe for an AI email assistant that reads new email, writes a reply draft in Gmail, and never sends anything on its own — using Zapier, n8n or a ready-made assistant.
Tool Comparisons
Zapier vs Make vs n8n for AI Agents: Which One for Non-Coders?
A plain-English comparison of Zapier, Make and n8n for building AI agents: pricing units, free tiers, AI features, human approval and which to pick if you don't code.