Overview
What is mcp-email-server?
An MCP server that provides IMAP and SMTP capabilities, enabling AI agents to read, send, and manage emails over the Model Context Protocol. Designed for developers integrating email workflows into MCP clients like Claude Desktop.
How to use mcp-email-server?
Install via uvx mcp-email-server@latest stdio or pip install mcp-email-server. Configure using the interactive UI command mcp-email-server ui (writes a TOML file) or by setting environment variables (e.g., MCP_EMAIL_SERVER_EMAIL_ADDRESS, MCP_EMAIL_SERVER_PASSWORD, MCP_EMAIL_SERVER_IMAP_HOST). The server can run in read-only mode if SMTP host is omitted.
Key features of mcp-email-server
- IMAP mailbox listing, read, and search operations
- SMTP email sending with optional save to Sent folder
- Read-only mode when SMTP configuration is omitted
- Attachment download (disabled by default for security)
- Recipient and sender allowlists for access control
- HTTP transport support with DNS rebinding protection
Use cases of mcp-email-server
- Automate email workflows through AI assistants
- Monitor specific IMAP mailboxes read‑only
- Send notifications or replies from agents
- Restrict email actions to trusted domains and addresses
FAQ from mcp-email-server
How do I configure mcp-email-server?
Use the interactive UI (mcp-email-server ui) or set environment variables prefixed with MCP_EMAIL_SERVER_. Environment variables take precedence over the TOML configuration file.
Can I run it in read‑only mode?
Yes. Omit the MCP_EMAIL_SERVER_SMTP_HOST variable or SMTP block in the config to enable read‑only mode. Outbound compose tools are hidden when every configured account is read‑only.
How do I enable attachment downloads?
By default attachment download is disabled. Set MCP_EMAIL_SERVER_ENABLE_ATTACHMENT_DOWNLOAD=true as an environment variable or enable_attachment_download = true in the TOML file.
How do I restrict who can send or receive email?
Use MCP_EMAIL_SERVER_ALLOWED_RECIPIENTS to limit send destinations and MCP_EMAIL_SERVER_ALLOWED_SENDERS (supports glob patterns) to filter inbound mail. Empty allowlists permit all.
What transport modes are supported?
The server supports stdio for standard MCP clients and streamable-http (HTTP) for web‑based integrations. HTTP mode validates Host and Origin headers to prevent DNS rebinding attacks.
