Skip to main content

Build an Email AI Agent with nanoinfra

This guide turns nanoinfra into an email AI agent that polls IMAP for accepted messages and replies through SMTP.

What this guide builds​

  • a dedicated mailbox for nanoinfra
  • IMAP and SMTP credentials in config.json
  • an allowed sender list
  • a gateway process that polls and replies

Prerequisites​

  • A working local nanoinfra reply:
nanoinfra agent -m "Hello!"
  • A mailbox for the bot.
  • IMAP and SMTP access. For Gmail, use an app password rather than your account password.

Install nanoinfra​

Quick Start ranks four install methods easiest first. This is the first of them. Use pip, Docker or a source checkout instead if you prefer, and come back here.

uv tool install nanoinfra
nanoinfra onboard --wizard

Enable the Email channel​

Merge this snippet into ~/.nanoinfra/config.json and replace the addresses and passwords:

{
  "channels": {
    "email": {
      "enabled": true,
      "consentGranted": true,
      "imapHost": "imap.gmail.com",
      "imapPort": 993,
      "imapUsername": "my-nanoinfra@gmail.com",
      "imapPassword": "your-app-password",
      "smtpHost": "smtp.gmail.com",
      "smtpPort": 587,
      "smtpUsername": "my-nanoinfra@gmail.com",
      "smtpPassword": "your-app-password",
      "fromAddress": "my-nanoinfra@gmail.com",
      "allowFrom": ["your-real-email@gmail.com"],
      "autoReplyEnabled": true
    }
  }
}

Run nanoinfra gateway​

nanoinfra channels status
nanoinfra gateway

Test a message​

Send an email from an address in allowFrom to the bot mailbox. Keep the gateway running long enough for the polling interval to receive it.

Security notes​

  • Use a dedicated mailbox, not your primary personal inbox.
  • Set consentGranted to false to fully disable mailbox access.
  • Email does not use DM pairing. Keep allowFrom narrow. ["*"] accepts mail from anyone.
  • Use environment variables for mailbox passwords.
  • Enable attachment types only when the agent needs them.

Troubleshooting​

  • If login fails, confirm IMAP/SMTP access and app-password setup.
  • If the bot reads but does not reply, check autoReplyEnabled, SMTP settings, and allowed sender addresses.
  • If attachments are missing, review allowedAttachmentTypes, size limits, and gateway logs.

Next: memory, automations, MCP tools​