Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Email to Google Task agent skill
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The Email to Google Task skill lets an AI agent take one Gmail message and create a Google Tasks entry from it. It is written for people who already use Gmail and Google Tasks and want follow-ups turned into to-dos without copying them by hand. This guide explains what the skill does, how to install it, how to ask for it in plain language, and what it needs to run.
Email to Google Taskgoogleworkspace/cli · Apache-2.0 Download the skill Quick start
- 1Install gws. Install the gws command-line tool (googleworkspace CLI) and make sure it is on your PATH.
- 2Authenticate. Authenticate gws with the Google account that has access to Gmail and Google Tasks.
- 3Generate shared skill files. If the shared gws-shared skill files are missing, run gws generate-skills.
- 4Install the skill. Download the ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ or a project's .claude/skills/, or upload it under Settings, Capabilities, Skills in the Claude apps.
- 5Find the message ID. Get the Gmail message ID of the email you want to convert.
- 6Ask the agent. Request the task in plain language with the message ID and confirm when the agent asks.
What the skill makes the agent do
Once installed, the agent can take a specific Gmail message, identified by its message ID, and create a new task in Google Tasks from it. The task title is taken from the email subject and the task notes are taken from the email's short snippet.
The skill runs the gws command-line tool to do this. By default the task goes into your default task list, unless you name a different list.
- Input: one Gmail message ID per run
- Task title: the email subject
- Task notes: the email snippet
- Destination: your default task list (@default) unless you pass a list ID
What the skill does not do
The skill only uses the subject and snippet, so the full email body and attachments are not added to the task. It handles one message ID per run and creates one task each time, so it is not built for bulk processing of many emails.
- No full email body or attachments in the task
- No bulk processing; one message ID per run
Install the skill
Download the ZIP file from this page. The skill is distributed as a folder containing SKILL.md.
Option A: unzip the file into ~/.claude/skills/ to make it available to Claude Code across your projects. Option B: unzip it into a project's .claude/skills/ folder to limit it to that project.
Option C: in the Claude apps, open Settings, go to Capabilities, and upload the skill under Skills.
- Personal install: ~/.claude/skills/
- Project install: .claude/skills/ inside your project
Set up the prerequisites
The skill cannot work without the gws command-line tool (googleworkspace CLI). It must be installed and on your PATH. You also need a Google account authenticated through gws with access to Gmail and Google Tasks.
The skill refers to a shared skill file, gws-shared. If it is missing, run gws generate-skills to create it. You also need the Gmail message ID of the email you want to convert.
- gws installed and on the PATH
- Google account authenticated through gws with Gmail and Google Tasks access
- Shared gws-shared skill files (run gws generate-skills if missing)
- Gmail message ID for the email
gws generate-skillsTrigger the skill with a natural request
You do not need to type the command yourself. Ask the agent in plain language and include the Gmail message ID. The agent will use the skill to run the underlying command.
The skill's own tips say to confirm with the user before executing, because it creates a new task. Expect the agent to check with you before it writes to your task list.
- "Turn the Gmail message MSG_ID into a Google task."
- "Add email MSG_ID to my Google Tasks list LIST_ID."
- "Make a to-do from message MSG_ID in my default task list."
Run the underlying command directly
The skill wraps this gws command. You can run it yourself to see what the skill does. Replace MSG_ID with your message ID. Add --tasklist only if you want a list other than your default.
The --tasklist flag takes a task list ID and defaults to @default.
- --message-id (required): Gmail message ID to convert
- --tasklist (optional): task list ID, default @default
gws workflow +email-to-task --message-id MSG_ID
gws workflow +email-to-task --message-id MSG_ID --tasklist LIST_IDSafety notes: scripts and network
This skill runs scripts and uses the network. It calls the gws tool, which talks to your Google account to read the Gmail message and create the task. Review the SKILL.md file and the gws setup before you install, and use an account whose access you are comfortable with.
Because the skill creates a new task each time it runs, check the agent's request before approving it, as the skill's own guidance recommends.
- Runs scripts: yes
- Uses network: yes
- Creates a new task on every run
What people use it for
- Turning a client request email into a task in your default list
- Filing a follow-up from an inbox into a specific task list by passing its list ID
- Letting a developer's agent automate the email-to-task step inside a gws-based workflow
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the email to google task agent skill?
Download the ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder. In the Claude apps you can instead upload it under Settings, Capabilities, Skills.
What do I need before the skill works?
You need the gws command-line tool installed and on your PATH, and a Google account authenticated through gws with access to Gmail and Google Tasks. You also need the Gmail message ID and the shared gws-shared skill files, which you can create with gws generate-skills.
What does the skill copy into the task?
It uses the email subject as the task title and the email's short snippet as the task notes. It does not add the full body or attachments.
Can it convert many emails at once?
No. The skill handles one Gmail message ID per run and creates one task each time.
Which task list does it use?
By default it adds the task to your default task list (@default). Pass --tasklist with a task list ID to use another list.
Is the skill free and what is its licence?
The source for this skill is licensed under Apache-2.0. This page does not state pricing, so check the repository for any cost details.
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Our verdict
This skill suits people who use Gmail and Google Tasks and already work with the gws CLI, and who want to turn single emails into tasks without copying them by hand. If you need full email bodies, attachments, or bulk processing, or you do not want to set up gws and authenticate it, pick a different approach.
Download the skill