Triage Inbox: What Needs Reply Today | Copy-Paste AI Recipe

NextFlows Contributors

doi:nextflows.ai/recipes/triage-inbox-what-needs-reply-today

⚡ TL;DR

✓ A short morning list showing which emails need your reply today, what can wait, and what is FYI only.
✓ ~15 min first-time setup; ~2 min every morning after that
✓ Read-only
✓ Uses Gmail

Before you start

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A Mac or Windows computer where you can install Claude DesktopA free Claude account at claude.aiYour work Gmail loginAbout 15 minutes to connect Gmail once — then ~2 minutes each morning

How to connect each app

Gmail
Claude Desktop → Settings → Connectors → Gmail → Connect → sign in with Google → Allow
Open setup help →

Setup (15 min)

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1Install Claude Desktop: open claude.ai/download, download for Mac or Windows, install, and sign in.

2Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Connectors → Gmail → Connect → Allow.

3Each morning, open a new chat and paste the prompt below.

4Press Enter. Claude will list emails grouped by: reply today, reply this week, FYI only.

5Work through the "reply today" list first. Archive or snooze the rest in Gmail as you normally would.

6Optional: run again after lunch if your inbox gets busy.

The prompt

Good morning — help me triage my Gmail inbox.

Look at my unread and recent emails from the last 48 hours.

Sort them into three groups:
1. **Reply today** — sender, subject, and one line on why it is urgent
2. **Reply this week** — can wait a few days
3. **FYI only** — no reply needed

For "reply today", suggest a one-sentence reply angle (do not send anything).

Keep the whole list under 300 words. Bullet points only.
Do not delete or archive anything — recommend only.

Paste into Claude Desktop. Claude will use your connected apps: Gmail.

Expected outcome

A short morning list showing which emails need your reply today, what can wait, and what is FYI only.

Success checklist

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Gmail is connected in Claude Settings → ConnectorsI ran the prompt and got three clear groupsThe "reply today" list looks accurateI handled today's replies in Gmail myself

Troubleshooting

I can't find Connectors in Claude Desktop

Cause

You may be using the website instead of the desktop app.

Solution

Download Claude Desktop from claude.ai/download. Open Settings → Connectors or Integrations.

An app won't connect

Cause

Wrong account or company requires IT approval.

Solution

Reconnect with your work account. If blocked, paste the relevant text into Claude and say "Use only what I pasted."

The output is too long or vague

Cause

The prompt needs a tighter focus.

Solution

Reply: "Shorter — bullet points only" or "Top 3 items only."

Newsletters clutter the list

Cause

Promotional mail mixed with real requests.

Solution

Say: "Skip newsletters and automated alerts — people only."