A very simple "Human in the Loop" email response system using AI and IMAP
Needs changesNeeds changes. This template uses 1 thing(s) that n8n 3.0 removes: AI Agent v1 (old agent modes). 1 breaking item(s) found. Static check, last run 2026-10-19.
What this workflow does
This AI workflow has 10 nodes and runs when a new email arrives over IMAP. Along the way it connects OpenAI Chat Model.
How it runs
Trigger: When a new email arrives over IMAP.
- Markdown: converts between Markdown and HTML
- Email Summarization Chain (Summarization Chain): summarizes text with AI, with model: OpenAI Chat Model
- Write email (AI Agent): runs an AI agent, with model: OpenAI
- Set Email text (Edit Fields (Set)): sets 1 field: email
- Approve Email (Send Email): sends an email over SMTP
- Approved? (If): checks a condition and branches into true / false
- Send Email: sends an email over SMTP
Services it uses
Before you upgrade to n8n 3.0
1 thing in this workflow is removed in n8n 3.0. Fix it before you upgrade:
- AI Agent v1 (old agent modes) in Write email (v1.7): replace with Latest AI Agent node (Tools Agent). For SQL Agent, use a Postgres or MySQL tool with a recent AI Agent.
Rather not rewrite it? Many of these flows can be rebuilt in Make (free plan).
| Removed in 3.0 | Replace with |
|---|---|
| AI Agent v1 (old agent modes) Write email (v1.7) | Latest AI Agent node (Tools Agent). For SQL Agent, use a Postgres or MySQL tool with a recent AI Agent. |
Nodes used (8)
- Email Trigger (IMAP)
n8n-nodes-base.emailReadImap - Markdown
n8n-nodes-base.markdown - Send Email
n8n-nodes-base.emailSend - Summarization Chain
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.chainSummarization - AI Agent
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent - OpenAI Chat Model
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmChatOpenAi - Edit Fields (Set)
n8n-nodes-base.set - If
n8n-nodes-base.if
From the author
Functionality This workflow automates the handling of incoming emails by summarizing their content, generating appropriate responses, and validating the responses through a "Human-in-the-Loop" system. It integrates with IMAP email services (e.g., Gmail,…