> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.alterhq.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Check unread emails and draft replies with Alter

> What Alter can currently do with Apple Mail, with practical prompts and setup

This workflow is for lightweight mail support: seeing unread messages and preparing drafts quickly.

## What this helps you do

If you want a fast inbox check and a ready-to-review draft, Apple Mail local tools are enough. It is best for "read + draft" moments, not full mailbox automation.

## Works with

* App: Apple Mail
* Tool type: Local tool
* Permissions: Mail automation

## What Alter can do today

Alter can list unread messages across mailboxes and generate a new draft email in Mail with the context you provide.

## What Alter does not do yet

* It cannot reply directly inside an existing email thread.
* It cannot send an email automatically from this tool (it creates drafts for review).
* It cannot delete, archive, label, or bulk-process emails.

## When to use Gmail or Outlook integrations instead

If you need advanced email workflows (thread-aware replies, send actions, labeling, archiving, rules, and broader mailbox automation), use external integrations like Gmail or Outlook from the Integrations catalog.

## Typical workflows

### Quick inbox check

Ask for a short unread list, identify priority messages, then open Mail for final handling.

### Draft first reply fast

Ask Alter to draft a response to a specific recipient, then review and send from Mail.

## A realistic workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Scan unread mail">
    Ask Alter to show 5-10 unread emails so you can prioritize.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Draft response">
    Ask Alter to create a draft for the top message.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and send">
    Open the draft in Mail, edit if needed, then send manually.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Copy/paste prompts

* "Show my 10 latest unread emails."
* "Show only 5 unread emails so I can triage quickly."
* "Draft an email to [alex@company.com](mailto:alex@company.com) with subject 'Q2 Planning' and summarize our next steps."
* "Create a draft reply to this contact saying I can do Thursday at 3 PM."

## How to enable

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Mail in Tools Manager">
    Open Alter -> click the three dots -> **Tools Manager** -> **Local Tools** -> enable **Mail**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Allow Mail automation">
    On first use, macOS may ask permission for Alter to control Mail. Allow it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run a quick test">
    Ask: "Show my 5 unread emails." Then ask Alter to create one draft email.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What to expect

* Unread listing is preview-oriented: you get enough context to decide what to open in Mail.
* For drafts, you stay in control: Alter prepares the draft, and you send it after review.

## Related pages

* [Mail app capabilities](/apps-tools/mail)
* [Integrations overview](/apps-tools/integrations-overview)
* [Use Tool Manager](/how-to/tool-manager-guide)