Product overview
Relay is an AI-powered email platform. This page gives a high-level picture of the product for users and support.
Relay Email
The main app: a unified inbox that works with Gmail, Outlook, and other providers.
Inbox — Combined view of all accounts or per-account views; filters (All, Unread, Starred, Waiting for reply, Sent by me, etc.).
Threads & messages — Open a thread to read, reply, and use AI summaries and suggested actions. Threads with attachments show a paperclip icon in the list.
Compose — Send and reply with optional AI smart-reply suggestions (plan-dependent). Use Send later to schedule an email for a specific date and time.
Waiting for reply — Set a reminder on a thread and see all threads where you're waiting for a reply in one view; Relay can push-notify you when the reminder is due.
Labels & folders — Gmail labels and IMAP folders; move, archive, star; changes sync back to the provider (two-way sync).
Search — Search across synced mail.
Bulk actions — Select multiple threads to mark read, archive, move, delete (where supported).
Keyboard shortcuts — Navigation, actions, compose; optional vim-style keys.
AI features — Summaries (all plans), plus suggested actions and smart compose on Pro.
Notifications — Optional browser push for new mail and for "waiting for reply" reminders; batching (e.g. every 15–60 minutes) available in settings.
Supported email providers
Gmail
Sign in with Google (OAuth)
Recommended. Enables near real-time push when configured. Two-way sync for read, star, archive, labels.
Outlook / Microsoft 365
IMAP + App Password
Enable IMAP in Outlook; use App Password if 2FA is on.
Other (IMAP/POP3)
IMAP or POP3 + SMTP
Custom server and port; App Password recommended where available.
Connecting is done in Settings → Email Accounts → Add account. Gmail uses OAuth; other providers use email + password (or App Password) and server settings.
How sync works
First sync — Runs automatically after an account is connected; can take a while for large mailboxes.
Background sync — Runs on an interval (e.g. every few minutes when push isn’t active, or less often when Gmail push is active) to pick up new mail and changes.
Gmail push (real-time) — When Gmail is connected and push is set up, new mail can appear in Relay within seconds.
Manual sync — User can trigger a sync from Settings → Email Accounts → Manage → Sync settings → Manual sync.
Two-way sync — Actions in Relay (read, star, archive, move, delete for Gmail) are pushed back to the provider so they stay in sync everywhere.
If sync seems stuck or mail is missing, see Sync issues and Troubleshooting index.
Plans and limits
Email accounts
1
Unlimited
AI summaries
Yes
Yes
AI actions & smart compose
No
Yes
Support
Community
Priority
Free — One email account; AI summaries only.
Pro — Unlimited accounts; full AI (summaries, suggested actions, smart compose); priority support.
Billing is managed in Settings → Billing. Upgrades/downgrades and subscription status (e.g. after expiry) are enforced in-app; expired Pro reverts to Free limits.
Security and privacy
Auth — Sign-in is handled by Clerk (or your auth provider). Email credentials are encrypted at rest; OAuth tokens are stored encrypted.
App passwords — Recommended for Gmail/Outlook when using IMAP; avoids storing the main account password.
AI — Content may be sent to the AI provider for summaries and suggestions; see AI privacy and Data privacy.
Delete account — User can request account and data deletion; see Delete account.
Where to go in the app
Add or manage email accounts
Settings → Email Accounts
Set default account, nickname, sync
Settings → Email Accounts → Manage
Billing and plan
Settings → Billing
Notifications (push, batching)
Settings (notification preferences)
Keyboard shortcuts
In-app help or Keyboard shortcuts
Help articles
Help (?) or /help
More in this doc set
Getting started — Welcome, Connect Gmail, Connect Outlook, Connect IMAP, First sync.
Accounts & settings — Account nicknames, Sync settings, Billing plans.
Email management — Inbox views, Waiting for reply and reminders, Scheduled send, Attachments and preview, Composing.
Problems? — Support FAQ, Troubleshooting index, Common errors.
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