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Connect Codex to Gmail

Connect Codex to Gmail in 3 steps: 1. Sign in to ApexGenius and connect Gmail. 2. Add the ApexGenius plugin. 3. Start using Gmail in Codex. Start in Plugins in the ChatGPT desktop app and authorize your connection.

Connect GmailSee the setup

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How to connect Gmail to Codex

  1. 1Sign in to ApexGenius and connect Gmail
  2. 2Add the ApexGenius plugin to Codex
  3. 3Start using Gmail in Codex

FirstConnect Gmail to ApexGenius

ThenConnect ApexGenius to Codex

Gmailapexgenius.ai/connections/google_gmail1 of 3

Connect Gmail. Gmail shows as connected in ApexGenius.

Then ask Codex:

Find up to five recent Gmail messages and show their subjects only. Do not send, draft, or change anything.

Written setup, step by stepShow

Before you start

  • An account with permission to use the Gmail resources you intend to connect.

1. Connect Gmail to ApexGenius

  1. Open Gmail in Connections. Choose Connect, or Add connection when offered. Give the connection a name if prompted. If Gateway setup pending appears, contact ApexGenius support before continuing.
  2. Choose the account and review access. Sign in to the Google account that has access to the intended resources. Review the permissions Google requests, then return to ApexGenius.
  3. Review the connected account and resources. Find Allowed resources on the connection page or its Tools tab. Choose Refresh and enable only the connected mailbox. Resource selection does not add permissions to the Google account.
  4. Check the connection. Use Test connection or Check again and read the reported status. Add an AI agent from the AI agents page, choose Read only for the first test, and try the question below.
    The actual Gmail connection page in ApexGenius, showing its saved connection status.
    This captured Gmail connection reports ready. Check your own connection and its latest validation before using tools.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
Connect Gmail →

2. Connect ApexGenius to Codex

  1. In the desktop app, open Settings, then MCP servers and Add server.
  2. Name the server ApexGenius, choose Streamable HTTP, and paste the MCP address above.
  3. Save, then select Restart. Choose Authenticate for ApexGenius and complete the browser sign-in.
  4. When ApexGenius asks what this AI client may use, choose Read only for the first test, or Custom to limit it to the tools you need.
  5. Start a new conversation and select ApexGenius from the available tools before asking for live data.
Official Codex setup instructions ↗

Watch the setup

Follow each step at your own pace.

Codex desktop app with Plugins selected and ApexGenius listed under Available to your account.
Open Codex in the ChatGPT desktop app, then Plugins, and find ApexGenius.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)

Step 1 of 4Open Plugins

The walkthrough uses the original ChatGPT web plugin captures. After connecting, open Codex in the desktop app and start a new task with ApexGenius. A ChatGPT web connection does not verify Codex access.

A public ApexGenius plugin listing is not verified. Use a plugin shared with you or one you created, subject to your account and workspace policy.

OpenAI Plugins guide (opens in a new tab)Full Codex setup guide
Create a personal plugin

Where Developer mode is available, open ChatGPT Settings, then Security and login, and enable it. In Plugins, select the plus button, enter ApexGenius and a description, then add this URL under Connection. Create the connection, complete OAuth, and review the tools. Return to Codex in the desktop app and start a new task with the plugin enabled.

https://server.autom8.pro/mcp
OpenAI custom connection guide (opens in a new tab)
No plugin available? Use desktop settings
  1. In the ChatGPT desktop app, open Settings, then MCP servers, then Add server.
  2. Name the server ApexGenius, choose Streamable HTTP, and paste the MCP address below.
  3. Save, select Restart, then Authenticate. Sign in to ApexGenius and authorize the intended connections and access.
  4. Start a new Codex task and ask one read-only question. Check the returned result and its matching successful read in Activity.
https://server.autom8.pro/mcp
OpenAI desktop MCP settings (opens in a new tab)
Manual setup for developers

Codex CLI is optional. Run these commands, complete browser authorization, then start a new session. Do not paste bearer tokens or static authorization headers.

Register the remote MCP server

codex mcp add apexgenius --url https://server.autom8.pro/mcp

Authorize in your browser

codex mcp login apexgenius

Inspect registered servers

codex mcp list

The desktop app, CLI, and IDE extension share MCP configuration on the same host. The IDE extension does not install plugins. ChatGPT web does not read local Codex configuration.

3. Verify one safe read

Find up to five recent Gmail messages and show their subjects only. Do not send, draft, or change anything.

Find up to five recent Gmail messages and show their subjects only. Do not send, draft, or change anything.

Compare the returned account and resource with Gmail. Check the connection status separately from the result of the first read.

What Codex can do in Gmail

24 operations. Read looks things up and changes nothing. Write changes Gmail and runs only when that tool is enabled.

Read7 operations

Looks things up. Changes nothing.

Mailbox and search

  • google_gmail_get_profileRead the connected mailbox’s address. ApexGenius checks it before any mail is read.
  • search_threadsSearch threads with Gmail search, such as from:, subject: or newer_than:.
  • get_threadRead a whole conversation.
  • get_messageRead one message.
  • list_labelsList the mailbox’s labels and their IDs.

Drafts

  • list_draftsList your drafts.
  • get_draftRead one draft.

Write17 operations

Changes Gmail. Runs only when enabled.

Drafts

  • create_draftWrite a new draft or a reply, with attachments up to 25 MB. It does not send.

Labels

  • create_labelCreate a label, including nested labels.
  • label_threadAdd labels to a whole thread.
  • unlabel_threadRemove labels from a whole thread.
  • label_messageAdd labels to one message.
  • unlabel_messageRemove labels from one message.
  • update_message_labelsAdd and remove labels on one message in a single step.

Trash and spam

  • trash_threadMove a whole thread to trash.
  • untrash_threadBring a thread back from trash.
  • mark_thread_spamMark a whole thread as spam.
  • unmark_thread_spamTake a thread out of spam.
  • apply_sensitive_thread_labelPut the trash or spam label on one thread.
  • trash_messageMove one message to trash.
  • untrash_messageBring one message back from trash.
  • mark_message_spamMark one message as spam.
  • unmark_message_spamTake one message out of spam.
  • apply_sensitive_message_labelPut the trash or spam label on one message.

You choose what Codex can use

When you approve Codex, pick Full access, Read only, or Custom. Read only allows the Read operations and nothing else. Custom picks apps and tools one by one.

Limits in Gmail

  • · Before any mail is read, ApexGenius checks that the mailbox matches the account you connected.
  • · Google’s Gmail MCP has no send tool. Your AI can write drafts; you send them in Gmail.
  • · Enabled writes run immediately. Turn a tool off to block calls.
  • · Disconnecting stops future access. It does not undo a label, trash or spam change.

What it looks like in Codex

An illustrative read-only request and response. Your results come from the account and dates you choose.

How the route works
Codex
CodexApexGenius MCP route
Find up to five recent Gmail messages and show their subjects only. Do not send, draft, or change anything.
ApexGenius
Working with ApexGenius1 tool search · 2 reads
RequestRecent subjects
Account scopeAuthorized connections checked
apex_search_toolsGmail search · Find the Gmail read routeComplete
apex_call_read_toolgoogle_gmail_get_profile · Check the connected mailboxComplete
apex_call_read_toolsearch_threads · Search recent threadsComplete
Codex

Illustrative example: five subjects from today, two from clients and three newsletters. Nothing was sent or changed.

Read-only route
Codex

Try asking

“Find up to five recent Gmail messages and show their subjects only. Do not send, draft, or change anything.”

“Summarize the unread email from my biggest client this week.”

“Find the latest invoice email and tell me the amount and due date.”

“Draft a reply to the last email from the client I name. Do not send it.”

More connections like this one

One ApexGenius account covers every pair below. Connect an app once and each agent you allow can use it.

Codex with other apps

Questions people ask first

How do I connect Gmail?

Open Gmail in ApexGenius Connections, choose Connect, and sign in with the Google account for the mailbox you want. Connect each mailbox you use, and name the one your AI should read.

Can my AI send email?

No. Google’s Gmail MCP can write drafts but has no send tool. You review the draft and send it from Gmail.

Can my AI delete email?

It can move mail to trash or spam, and bring it back. Those tools are marked destructive. Enabled writes run immediately. Turn a tool off to block calls.

Can I start with read-only access?

Yes. Choose Read only when you add your AI agent. It can check the mailbox, search threads and read messages, and nothing else.

Will this list of tools change?

Google publishes the Gmail MCP tools, and ApexGenius reads Google’s live list on every search. This page shows the list as of its review date.

Connect Gmail to Codex today

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1,000 free credits. No card required. Disconnect any time.