gws-gmail
by googleworkspacegws-gmail helps an agent send, read, reply to, forward, triage, and watch Gmail messages through the gws CLI for Workflow Automation. Use this gws-gmail skill when mailbox state, threading, or live inbox monitoring matters, and follow the shared gws prerequisites before running commands.
This skill scores 78/100, which means it is a solid listing candidate for directory users: it offers real Gmail workflow coverage and enough structure for an agent to trigger and use it with less guesswork than a generic prompt, though some onboarding details are still thin. The skill is worth installing if you want Gmail-specific actions like send, triage, reply, forward, read, and watch with command-oriented guidance.
- Clear triggerability via `gws gmail <resource> <method> [flags]` plus a `gws gmail --help` hint.
- Useful operational scope with concrete helper commands for sending, triaging, replying, forwarding, reading, and watching mail.
- Good progressive disclosure through linked subskills for specific tasks, which helps agents choose the right workflow quickly.
- It depends on the separate shared prerequisite `../gws-shared/SKILL.md`, so setup may require extra context before first use.
- No install command or supporting reference files are included here, so users may need to infer setup and constraints from the broader repo.
Overview of gws-gmail skill
What the gws-gmail skill does
The gws-gmail skill helps an agent send, read, reply to, forward, triage, and watch Gmail messages through the gws CLI. It is best for users who want Gmail actions handled as workflow steps, not as a generic chat prompt. If you need the gws-gmail skill for Workflow Automation, this is the right layer when the task depends on mailbox state, message threading, or live inbox monitoring.
Best fit and decision factors
Use gws-gmail when you need repeatable Gmail operations with predictable CLI behavior. It is a strong fit for inbox triage, message extraction, drafting follow-ups, and notification streams. It is less useful if you only want a one-off email draft with no account access, or if you do not have the gws binary and Gmail auth already set up.
What makes it different
The skill is organized around helper commands like +send, +read, +reply, +triage, and +watch, which lowers guesswork compared with issuing raw API-shaped prompts. It also points to the shared auth and security layer, so the real install decision is not just “can it send email?” but “can my environment satisfy the global gws requirements?”
How to Use gws-gmail skill
Install and prerequisite checks
For gws-gmail install, use the CLI package path shown in the skill metadata: npx skills add googleworkspace/cli --skill gws-gmail. Before relying on it, confirm gws is installed and read ../gws-shared/SKILL.md first, because that shared file defines auth, global flags, and security rules that affect every Gmail action.
How to shape a good prompt
Treat the gws-gmail usage request as a task spec, not a vague intent. Strong inputs name the action, target message or mailbox scope, and the outcome you want. For example: “Use gws-gmail to triage unread mail from the last 24 hours and return sender, subject, and date,” or “Use gws-gmail to reply to the latest thread from Alice with a concise confirmation.”
Files and workflow to read first
Start with SKILL.md, then inspect the linked helper skill files for the exact operation you need: ../gws-gmail-send/SKILL.md, ../gws-gmail-read/SKILL.md, ../gws-gmail-reply/SKILL.md, ../gws-gmail-reply-all/SKILL.md, ../gws-gmail-forward/SKILL.md, ../gws-gmail-triage/SKILL.md, and ../gws-gmail-watch/SKILL.md. Use gws gmail --help and the command form gws gmail <resource> <method> [flags] to align your request with the CLI’s actual resource-method model.
Practical tips for better output
Choose the helper command that matches the job instead of asking one prompt to do everything. +read is for extracting content, +triage is for inbox summaries, and +watch is for continuous new-mail streaming. When you need precision, include thread context, sender identifiers, date windows, or label constraints so the agent does not have to infer mailbox scope.
gws-gmail skill FAQ
Is gws-gmail only for sending email?
No. The gws-gmail skill covers reading, replying, forwarding, triaging, and watching mail, so it is broader than a simple send-email wrapper. If your task is mailbox operations rather than composition alone, it is a good fit.
Do I need the whole Google Workspace CLI first?
Yes. The skill assumes the gws ecosystem and the shared gws-shared prerequisites are already available. If those are missing, gws-gmail install alone will not be enough for successful use.
When should I not use this skill?
Do not use gws-gmail when you only need a static email draft, when mailbox access is unavailable, or when you want a non-Gmail workflow. It is also a poor fit if your task is outside Gmail-specific threading and mailbox management.
Is it beginner-friendly?
Yes, if you can provide a clear mailbox task. The command structure is straightforward, but the gws-gmail guide works best when you know the recipient, thread, or inbox slice you want to act on.
How to Improve gws-gmail skill
Give the skill the right mailbox context
The biggest quality boost comes from specifying the exact mail slice: unread only, a date range, a sender, a thread, or a label. For gws-gmail usage, “find the last message from support and summarize it” is much better than “check my email.”
Use the helper that matches the job
A common failure mode is asking for triage and reply behavior in a single vague instruction. Split the workflow: first +triage or +read, then +reply, +forward, or +send once the target is confirmed. That reduces mis-targeted replies and improves threading accuracy.
Watch for auth and threading constraints
If the operation fails, the issue is often outside the prompt: missing shared auth, unavailable credentials, or incomplete thread identifiers. The gws-gmail guide is most reliable when your environment is already authenticated and you provide enough detail for the CLI to identify the correct message or conversation.