Gmail AI labels with n8n: auto-label, draft and log to Sheets
Every 10 minutes, labels mail by category/priority, drafts replies, sends urgent alerts, and logs each decision to Sheets. Has a dry-run mode for testing.
Setup steps
- Buy/import template
- Add Gmail, OpenAI, Sheets credentials
- Configure categories
- Run in dry-run
- Switch dry_run off
Steps summarized from the original Template source ↗. Use “Copy” to grab them with the tools and source link, or copy an AI prompt.
Try it with AI
Paste this into ChatGPT, Claude or your own agent for step-by-step help. Prompt written by AppToBot from this recipe's data, not by the original author. It keeps drafts for your review and asks before anything is sent or paid.
Help me set up this automation using n8n + OpenAI + Gmail + Google Sheets: "Gmail AI labels with n8n: auto-label, draft and log to Sheets". Goal: replace Email client filters/rules. How it should work: - Trigger: Every 10 minutes - Then: Labels by category and priority - Then: Drafts replies - Then: Alerts on urgent mail - Result: Every decision logged to Sheets Setup steps (summarized from the original source): 1. Buy/import template 2. Add Gmail, OpenAI, Sheets credentials 3. Configure categories 4. Run in dry-run 5. Switch dry_run off Guide me one step at a time. Ask me for anything you need (accounts, sheet or channel names) before you start. Safety rules: - Build and test with sample data first, and show me a sample result before anything goes live. - Keep anything that goes to other people (emails, posts, replies, record updates) as drafts for my review until I say otherwise. - Never send, post, buy, pay, delete or change records without my approval. - Tell me about any cost (paid plans, API usage) before I'd incur it, and help me set a spending limit. - Keep API keys and passwords out of shared docs and chats. - Privacy: Email content is sent to the LLM provider (e.g. OpenAI). Needs Gmail OAuth access to read, label and draft. Based on: https://n8n.io/workflows/20570-triage-gmail-inbox-emails-and-draft-replies-with-openai-and-google-sheets/
Tool names link to each official site (opens in a new tab).
Running cost: API pennies OpenAI API usage; the template is a one-time $29 purchase. No-code How we sort costs
Stack: n8n · OpenAI · Google Sheets · Gmail
Replace an app: AI bots that replace Gmail filters
App vs bot, side by side
| Old app / habit | Bot | |
|---|---|---|
| Tool | Email client filters/rules | n8n + OpenAI + Gmail + Google Sheets |
| Monthly cost | Free (built-in filters) | $29 template (n8n listing) + OpenAI API + n8n |
| Setup | None (already in use) | Not reported · Intermediate |
| Your time | Baseline | Not reported |
| Maintenance | Handled by vendor/you as before | Review log sheet; adjust categories. |
| Privacy | Data stays with the app vendor | Email content is sent to the LLM provider (e.g. OpenAI). Needs Gmail OAuth access to read, label and draft. |
Full comparison
| Replaces | Email client filters/rules |
|---|---|
| Bot / agent stack | n8n + OpenAI + Gmail + Google Sheets |
| Monthly cost before | Free (built-in filters) |
| Monthly cost after | $29 template (n8n listing) + OpenAI API + n8n |
| Setup time | Not reported |
| Time saved | Not reported |
| Skill level | Intermediate |
| Reliability | 4/5: dry-run mode and full decision log built in. |
| Maintenance | Review log sheet; adjust categories. |
| Privacy & data | Email content is sent to the LLM provider (e.g. OpenAI). Needs Gmail OAuth access to read, label and draft. |
| Best for | People who outgrew rule-based filters |
| Not for | Anyone happy with simple filters |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Dry-run to test safely
- Every decision logged
Cons
- Paid template
- Runs every 10 minutes
Source and evidence
Dry-run and logging built in.
Read the original Template source ↗
“Not reported” means the source doesn't say. We never fill gaps with guesses. Numbers marked “per author” or “vendor claim” are the source's own and weren't independently tested. Source last checked Oct 15, 2026.
Our rating is an editorial opinion based on the public source above, not lab testing. Spot an error? Request a correction.
Plain-text summary (for search and AI assistants)
Gmail AI labels with n8n: auto-label, draft and log to Sheets. Replaces Email client filters/rules with n8n + OpenAI + Gmail + Google Sheets. Cost before: Free (built-in filters). Cost after: $29 template (n8n listing) + OpenAI API + n8n. Setup: Not reported, Intermediate. Time saved: Not reported. Reliability 4/5: 4/5: dry-run mode and full decision log built in. Best for: People who outgrew rule-based filters. Not for: Anyone happy with simple filters. Source: https://n8n.io/workflows/20570-triage-gmail-inbox-emails-and-draft-replies-with-openai-and-google-sheets/
Related recipes
- n8n email triage agent: multi-agent Gmail sorting and replies (3/5)
- Gmail email summaries posted to Slack (Make + OpenAI) (3/5)
- Gmail inbox triage with Make AI Agents (3/5)
More: all Email recipes · Best AI agents to replace Zapier · n8n vs Make: AI agent recipes compared · AI bots that replace Gmail filters
Questions, corrections or ideas?
Spotted an error, want a recipe covered, or have a partnership idea? Send us a message and we'll get back to you.
Starting your own newsletter? Try beehiiv ↗
What is beehiiv?
beehiiv is a newsletter platform: you write and send emails, host a newsletter website, and grow and monetize a list from one place. We've used it for our own newsletter.
beehiiv says (vendor claims, not tested by us):
- Free plan with up to 2,500 subscribers and unlimited sends
- Built-in website, recommendation network and analytics
- 0% cut of paid subscription revenue (Stripe fees apply)
Good for: starting or growing an email newsletter. Not ideal for: email automations or removing beehiiv branding on a $0 budget (those need Lite or Pro).
Free plan: $0, no card needed. Paid plans from $49/mo billed annually (Lite, up to 1,000 subscribers). People who sign up through our link get a 14-day trial plus 20% off their first 3 months, per beehiiv's partner page. Facts as of Oct 2026, from beehiiv's own website. More about beehiiv →