Ideas › Productivity

Triage a crowded inbox in 15 minutes

Paste a batch of email subjects and snippets and get a sorted action list with draft replies.

Why it works

Most inbox time goes to deciding what each message needs. AI is good at a first-pass sort, so you only make the final calls.

Step by step

1. Copy 20–40 recent unread subject lines and first lines (remove passwords, account numbers and anything private).

   Sort these emails into four groups: Reply today, Reply this week, Read later, Archive. For each, give one line on why. Emails:
   [PASTE]

   Copy prompt

2. Draft the urgent replies.

   For each email in 'Reply today', write a reply under 80 words in a friendly, direct tone. Leave [brackets] where you need facts from me.

   Copy prompt

3. Turn it into a habit.

   Suggest 3 inbox filters or rules I could set up based on the patterns in these emails.

   Copy prompt

Replace anything in [BRACKETS] with your details. Works with most AI chat assistants.

Tips and cautions

• Never paste confidential work email into a tool your employer hasn't approved.
• Read every draft before sending; AI can misread tone.

FAQ

Is it safe to paste my email into an AI chatbot?

Only paste what you'd be comfortable sharing. Strip personal data, and follow your employer's AI policy for work mail.

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