Who is this workflow for? This workflow allows you to retrieve emails from any provider that supports the JMAP protocol using n8n. By leveraging JMAP, you can seamlessly integrate your email data into automated processes, extending beyond the native support for Gmail and Outlook..

What does this workflow do?

  • Trigger: The workflow can be initiated via a webhook or scheduled to poll emails at regular intervals.
  • HTTP Request Node: Connects to the JMAP-compatible email provider using the appropriate authentication method (Bearer token or OAuth2).
  • Retrieve Emails: Sends a JMAP request to fetch emails from the mailbox.
  • Process Emails: Utilizes nodes like Item Lists and Merge to organize and manipulate the retrieved email data.
  • Integrations: Sends processed data to various services such as GitHub for issue tracking, WhatsApp for notifications, or a Customer Datastore for CRM updates.
  • Respond to Webhook: Optionally sends a response back to the initiating webhook to confirm successful execution.

The workflow was built using n8n version 1.20 and is fully compatible out of the box. Additionally, HTTP requests are supported in older n8n versions, allowing the workflow to be backported if necessary.

JMAP supports various authentication methods. For Fastmail users, Bearer authentication or OAuth2 can be used. In n8n, set up Fastmail Bearer authentication by creating Header Auth credentials with the name Authorization and the value Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN, replacing YOUR_API_TOKEN with your actual Fastmail API token. For other services, refer to their respective API documentation to determine supported authentication methods.

JMAP (JSON Meta Application Protocol) is an IETF standard, sponsored by Fastmail, designed to replace legacy email protocols like IMAP, CalDAV, and CardDAV. It provides a modern, efficient way to interact with email data. You can explore the full specifications here.

If you are a Fastmail customer or are hosting your own Stalwart mail server, you can start using JMAP immediately. For email providers that do not yet support JMAP, consider reaching out to them to express your interest in this functionality, potentially influencing future support.

Integrations

This workflow integrates with various services to extend its functionality, including:

  • Confluence: Document and share workflow configurations.
  • Webhook: Trigger the workflow externally.
  • Respond to Webhook: Send responses after workflow execution.
  • Customer Datastore: Store and manage customer-related email data.
  • HTTP Request: Make custom HTTP requests to interact with other APIs.
  • Item Lists: Manage and organize lists of email items.
  • WhatsApp: Send notifications or updates via WhatsApp.
  • Merge: Combine data from multiple sources.
  • GitHub: Create issues or update repositories based on email content.
  • AI Models: Utilize AI services like OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or OpenRouter for advanced email processing.
  • SerpAPI: Integrate search engine results if needed for contextual data.

These integrations enable comprehensive automation workflows that can handle a wide range of tasks based on your email data.

Image

Workflow Illustration

Summary

n8n currently lacks a standard node for retrieving emails from arbitrary providers. This workflow utilizes JMAP to overcome this limitation, enabling email retrieval from any JMAP-supported service. It provides a flexible and efficient solution for integrating diverse email data into your automated workflows.

Conclusion

By implementing this JMAP-based workflow in n8n, you gain the ability to connect with a wider range of email providers, enhancing your automation capabilities and streamlining your email management processes.

🤖 Why Use This Automation Workflow?

  • Universal Email Access: Connect to any email provider that implements JMAP, offering greater flexibility compared to limited native integrations.
  • Enhanced Automation: Automate email retrieval and processing tasks, saving time and reducing manual effort.
  • Future-Proofing: Utilize JMAP, an emerging standard poised to replace legacy protocols like IMAP, ensuring long-term compatibility and support.

👨‍💻 Who is This Workflow For?

This workflow is ideal for:

  • Developers seeking to integrate email functionalities into their applications.
  • Automation Enthusiasts who want to streamline email management beyond popular services.
  • Businesses looking to centralize email operations across multiple providers.

🎯 Use Cases

  1. Centralized Email Management: Aggregate emails from various providers into a single datastore for unified access and analysis.
  2. Automated Notifications: Trigger workflows based on incoming emails, such as sending alerts or updating CRM systems.
  3. Data Extraction and Processing: Extract specific information from emails and route it to other applications or databases for further use.

TL;DR

This n8n workflow leverages the JMAP protocol to enable flexible and robust email retrieval from any supported provider. By integrating with a wide range of services, it offers powerful automation capabilities to enhance your email management and streamline your operations.

Help us find the best n8n templates

About

A curated directory of the best n8n templates for workflow automations.