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OpenClaw can do far more than respond in chat. When connected to Gmail, it becomes a self-hosted AI email assistant capable of reading messages, summarizing threads, drafting replies, applying labels, and routing alerts across your messaging channels.
This guide explains the technical integration patterns available for Gmail, how they differ, and how to run them reliably on an Ubuntu VPS. If you are already running OpenClaw on a server, such as in our Ubuntu installation guide, Gmail integration turns that server into a 24/7 email automation hub.
So how do you integrate OpenClaw with Gmail?
There is no single “Connect Google account” button inside OpenClaw. Gmail integration is implemented using one of several technical approaches, each with different trade-offs in complexity, latency, and capability.
The main integration patterns are:
- IMAP and SMTP polling
- Gmail REST API with OAuth
- Gmail Watch API with Pub/Sub and webhooks
- Browser automation as fallback
The right choice depends on whether you want simple periodic summaries or near real-time event-driven automation.
Common use cases for OpenClaw + Gmail
Inbox triage and daily briefings
OpenClaw can fetch recent emails and generate structured summaries. A typical morning digest might group messages by project, highlight deadlines, and list unread priority emails. This works well with scheduled jobs running on your VPS.
Priority alerts and routing
When an email arrives from a VIP sender or contains keywords like “invoice”, “security alert”, or “payment failed”, OpenClaw can instantly forward a summarized alert to Telegram, Discord, Slack, or WhatsApp. If you are already running multi-channel setups as described in OpenClaw multi-channel configuration, Gmail becomes just another event source.
Automated drafting with human approval
For repetitive emails, OpenClaw can generate draft replies using templates and past context. Instead of auto-sending, it can return the draft to a private channel for review before dispatching via Gmail.
Thread summarization and memory
Long threads can be summarized and stored in OpenClaw’s memory system. Weeks later, you can ask what was agreed in a conversation without rereading the entire email chain. This pairs naturally with the concepts explained in OpenClaw memory explained.
Why run Gmail automation on a VPS
Email automation must run continuously. A laptop that sleeps or disconnects is unreliable. A VPS running Ubuntu 24.04 or similar provides:
- 24/7 uptime
- Public HTTPS endpoints for webhook integrations
- Isolation from personal devices
- Scalable CPU and memory
If you are hosting OpenClaw on a server, follow the security guidance in how to host OpenClaw securely on a VPS before exposing webhook endpoints.
Integration pattern 1: IMAP and SMTP
This is the simplest method. OpenClaw connects to Gmail via IMAP to read messages and SMTP to send replies. It polls the inbox at intervals, such as every 1–5 minutes.
Gmail configuration
- Enable 2-Step Verification
- Create an App Password for Mail
- Enable IMAP in Gmail settings
Connection details:
IMAP: imap.gmail.com (port 993, TLS)
SMTP: smtp.gmail.com (port 465 or 587)How OpenClaw processes messages
A skill connects to IMAP, searches for new or unread messages, parses MIME content, extracts text and metadata, and normalizes the result into structured JSON for reasoning.
Pros:
- Easy setup
- No Google Cloud required
- Works with most accounts
Cons:
- Polling latency
- Limited label/thread control
- App password policies may change
Integration pattern 2: Gmail API via OAuth
This method uses the Gmail REST API with OAuth 2.0 tokens. It provides structured access to threads, labels, metadata, and advanced queries without storing raw passwords.
Google Cloud setup
- Create a Google Cloud project
- Enable Gmail API
- Configure OAuth consent screen
- Create OAuth client credentials
Common scopes:
gmail.readonly
gmail.modify
gmail.send
gmail.composeLimit scopes to what you actually need.
Integration approaches
OpenClaw can call a CLI helper that handles OAuth tokens, or a custom skill can directly use Gmail API libraries. Credentials should be stored securely outside version control with restricted permissions.
This method allows advanced filtering, thread management, and label automation.
Integration pattern 3: Gmail Watch API + Pub/Sub
This is the most advanced option. Gmail sends events to Google Pub/Sub whenever mailbox changes occur. Pub/Sub pushes notifications to a webhook endpoint on your VPS. OpenClaw receives the payload and triggers workflows instantly.
Architecture
Email arrives → Gmail Watch API → Pub/Sub → VPS webhook → OpenClaw hook → AI processing → notification or automation.
Requirements
- Gmail API enabled
- Pub/Sub API enabled
- Public HTTPS endpoint
- Webhook handler on VPS
This setup provides near real-time processing with minimal polling overhead.
Operational notes:
- Watch subscriptions expire and must be renewed
- Webhook endpoints must verify authenticity
- Processing should be idempotent to handle duplicate deliveries
Integration pattern 4: Browser automation
When API or IMAP access is restricted, a headless browser can automate Gmail’s web interface. This method is fragile and sensitive to UI changes, CAPTCHA challenges, and security checks. It should only be used when other integrations are not possible.
Designing Gmail workflows in OpenClaw
Skill separation
Keep responsibilities clean:
- Fetching messages
- Parsing and normalizing content
- Classification
- Summarization
- Draft generation
- Label updates or routing
This modular approach keeps automation maintainable and testable.
Model selection strategy
Use lightweight models for classification and short summaries. Use more capable models for long thread analysis and nuanced reply drafting. If you are evaluating model trade-offs, see Claude vs OpenAI model choice.
Security considerations
I know this is boring, but it's very important for an agentic AI like OpenClaw, so don't skip it.
Least privilege
Grant only required Gmail scopes. Use dedicated mailboxes for automation when possible.
Credential management
- Never hardcode secrets
- Restrict file permissions on OAuth JSON
- Rotate credentials periodically
OpenClaw hardening
Run services under dedicated system users. Protect webhook endpoints behind TLS and authentication. Review OpenClaw security best practices before exposing endpoints publicly.
Example workflows
Daily executive summary
A scheduled task pulls the last 24 hours of emails, groups them by topic, and sends a structured report to a private channel.
Real-time VIP alert
New email from a high-priority sender triggers an instant notification and suggested reply draft.
Invoice processing automation
Emails containing invoice-related keywords are parsed, structured data extracted, labeled as processed, and optionally exported to accounting tools.
Running reliably on Ubuntu VPS
Run OpenClaw and any webhook handlers as systemd services with automatic restart. Monitor logs. Renew Gmail watch subscriptions via cron. Back up configuration carefully without leaking tokens.
When implemented correctly, OpenClaw becomes a private AI layer over Gmail, running continuously on infrastructure you control.
