Draft replies to routine emails for you to check and send
- Who it's for
- Anyone who answers the same kinds of questions every week
- Outcome
- Ready-to-edit drafts sitting in your drafts folder, written in your voice.
- Why Handoff 2
- The agent writes drafts only. You read, edit and press send.
Steps
- Pick one type of routine email (for example 'opening hours' or 'delivery times').
- Give the agent two or three of your past replies as examples of your tone.
- Give it the facts it may use, and tell it to leave a [CHECK] marker for anything else.
- Ask it to save replies as drafts, never send.
- Read each draft, fix anything marked [CHECK], and send.
Copy-paste prompt
Works with any agent. Replace the [square brackets] with your details.
Draft replies to the emails I point you to. Save them as drafts. Never send anything.
Use my tone from these examples: [paste 2-3 past replies].
Facts you may use: [opening hours, prices, delivery times, links].
If a reply needs a fact that is not in that list, write [CHECK: what is needed] instead of guessing. Do not promise refunds, discounts or dates I have not given you. Keep each reply under 120 words.Notes for each agent
Only features we found in each provider's official documentation on 14 Oct 2026 are stated as product facts, with the source linked. Product features change; check before relying on them.
Claude Suggested
Ask Claude to save drafts, not send them. In Cowork's Manual mode it pauses for approval before using connector tools set to 'Needs approval'. Avoid 'Skip' mode for anything sent in your name.
From official docs Official source
ChatGPT Suggested
Before an app action such as sending an email, ChatGPT may show an approval card. Keep your email app on 'Always ask' or 'Allow read actions' so sending always needs your OK.
From official docs Official source
Gemini Suggested
Gemini can draft Gmail messages in chat (Google Workspace connected app required). The draft has a Send button, so read it first, or use 'Edit in Gmail' on the web to finish it in Gmail.
From official docs Official source
Microsoft Copilot Suggested
In Outlook, 'Draft with Copilot' writes a draft you edit and send yourself, and 'Coaching by Copilot' can suggest tone and clarity fixes.
From official docs Official source
Open agents & automations Suggested
In n8n, connect the send tool through a human review step: the workflow pauses and shows the exact message for Approve or Deny.
From official docs Official source
Common failure, and how to catch it
- What goes wrong
- It invents a price, date or policy that sounds right but is not.
- How to catch it
- The [CHECK] marker rule. Search each draft for numbers and dates before sending.
Time and cost
- Time to set up
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Uses the AI plan you already pay for. Agent features (browsing, connectors, scheduling) may need a paid tier; check your plan before relying on them.
Sources
- https://support.claude.com/en/articles/13345190-get-started-with-claude-cowork
- https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001495-managing-app-permissions-in-chatgpt
- https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/18741629
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/outlook/frequently-asked-questions-about-copilot-in-outlook
- https://docs.n8n.io/build/integrate-ai/ai-examples/human-in-the-loop-for-tools
Reviewed 14 Oct 2026 against the sources above. This playbook has not been tested on every agent listed; it is written to be agent-agnostic.