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Connect OpenClaw to Gmail

Connect OpenClaw to Gmail in 3 steps: 1. Sign in to ApexGenius and connect Gmail. 2. Add the ApexGenius MCP server. 3. Start using Gmail in OpenClaw.

Connect GmailSee the setup

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How to connect Gmail to OpenClaw

  1. 1Sign in to ApexGenius and connect Gmail
  2. 2Add the ApexGenius MCP server to OpenClaw
  3. 3Start using Gmail in OpenClaw

FirstConnect Gmail to ApexGenius

ThenConnect ApexGenius to OpenClaw

Gmailapexgenius.ai/connections/google_gmail1 of 3

Connect Gmail. Gmail shows as connected in ApexGenius.

Then ask OpenClaw:

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 OpenClaw

Use this server address when adding the connection:

https://server.autom8.pro/mcp
  1. Add ApexGenius as a remote MCP server in your OpenClaw configuration using the hosted HTTP URL, then complete the authorization in your browser.
  2. 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.
  3. Start a new conversation and select ApexGenius from the available tools before asking for live data.

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 OpenClaw 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 OpenClaw can use

When you approve OpenClaw, 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 OpenClaw

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

How the route works
OpenClaw
OpenClawApexGenius 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
OpenClaw

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

Read-only route
OpenClaw

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.

OpenClaw 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 OpenClaw today

Start free

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