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Facing 47 unread emails and a stack of bills, a dad uses Claude's Gmail connection to sort his inbox into what needs action, what can wait and what's noise, asks follow-ups such as whether an insurance email needs doing, and had it help word a polite 'not this time' to a school fundraiser.
Look through my unread emails from [TIME PERIOD]. Sort them into three groups: needs action from me (with the deadline if there is one), can wait, and just noise. For anything that needs action, tell me in one line what I have to do. Don't reply to or delete anything.
Replace the [PLACEHOLDERS] with your own details before you send it.
How to try it
- Connect Gmail in Claude’s settings (or paste the emails in if you’d rather not connect it).
- Ask for the three groups, then question anything you’re unsure about.
- Ask Claude to help you word the tricky replies, and send them yourself.
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Reference: Will McGinnis (blog)