Apple Mail MCP, developed by Patrickfreyer, is a server tool designed to enable AI assistants and users to interact with Apple Mail on macOS using natural language. Built with Python 3.7 or higher, it functions as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This tool connects directly to the Mail.app, allowing for advanced email management, searching, and composition through AI clients like Claude Desktop. It provides a structured way for AI to manage email workflows without direct user interface interaction.

What does Apple Mail MCP connect to?

The Apple Mail MCP server tool connects directly to the Apple Mail application on macOS. It operates as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, establishing a bridge between AI clients and the native email client. This connection allows external AI systems to send commands and receive information from Apple Mail, enabling automated or AI-driven interactions with email accounts configured within the macOS environment. The tool is specifically designed for integration with macOS and its built-in Mail.app, relying on the system's email configuration.

Core features and tools

Apple Mail MCP exposes 24 callable tools for interacting with Apple Mail. While a specific named list of all 24 tools is not explicitly available, their functionality spans several general categories. These include capabilities for email reading, searching through mailboxes, organizing messages into folders, composing new emails, and managing existing ones by deleting or moving them. The server's design allows AI clients to perform a variety of email-related tasks, making it a versatile interface for automated mail operations and information retrieval.

Who is it for?

Apple Mail MCP is intended for AI assistants and users who wish to interact with Apple Mail using natural language commands. It also serves developers integrating AI functionalities with Apple Mail, offering a structured way to extend AI capabilities into email management. The tool supports scenarios where AI can manage email tasks, reducing manual effort and enabling new forms of interaction. Its design is suitable for those seeking to automate email workflows via AI. Skip this if you do not use Apple Mail on macOS or an AI client like Claude Desktop.

How to get started

Access is granted through macOS Automation permissions for "Mail.app Control" and "Mail Data Access" when prompted during the initial setup process. The server supports stdio only as its transport protocol, meaning it does not utilize HTTP or WebSocket listeners for communication. This setup ensures a direct, local connection for AI clients like Claude Desktop to interact with Apple Mail.

Use cases

• Searching for specific emails, such as "Search my inbox for unread emails from my manager about the Q3 report."
• Managing email status and location, for instance, "Check my unread emails across all accounts" or "Delete or move emails."
• Composing, replying to, or forwarding emails.

Apple Mail MCP offers a direct pathway for AI to interact with Apple Mail on macOS, providing capabilities for managing, searching, and composing emails. Its Python 3.7+ foundation and MCP Bundle distribution make it accessible for developers and AI users. The tool requires specific macOS permissions for operation. Try checking your unread emails across all accounts using a natural language command.