# Parse Gmail inbox and transform into Todoist tasks with OpenAI: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across Email and Gmail. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/parse-gmail-inbox-and-transform-into-todoist-tasks-with-open (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [AI assistants](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=AI+assistants#library)

# Parse Gmail inbox and transform into Todoist tasks with OpenAI

Started by a clock, and works across Email and Gmail. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI. 21 steps, 3 branches: large, and worth reading before you trust it with anything live.

Large Calls a model: OpenAI

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fparse-gmail-inbox-and-transform-into-todoist-tasks-with-open)

**21 steps** Large: read it before trusting it with anything live

**3** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 3 Logic 7 Service 9

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **When clicking ‘Test workflow’** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **OpenAI Chat Model** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 3 **Structure Output Todoist Ready** Output Parser Structured *Model*
- 4 **Email Trigger (IMAP)** Email Read Imap *Service*
- 5 **Schedule Trigger** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 6 **No Operation, do nothing** No Op *Logic*
- 7 **Summarize Message** Agent *Model*
- 8 **Get Unread From Inbox** Gmail *Service*
- 9 **Get Starred From Inbox** Gmail *Service*
- 10 **Get Open Tasks** Todoist *Service*
- 11 **If AI responded properly** If *Logic*
- 12 **Mark As Read** Gmail *Service*
- 13 **Merge Starred and Unread Messages** Merge *Logic*
- 14 **Enrich Emails With Tasks** Merge *Logic*
- 15 **Enrich Tasks with Emails** Merge *Logic*
- 16 **Create Todoist Task** Todoist *Service*
- 17 **Star** Gmail *Service*
- 18 **If Task Not Exist** If *Logic*
- 19 **If Email Unstarred (Not Exist)** If *Logic*
- 20 **Get Full Message** Gmail *Service*
- 21 **Close Task** Todoist *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 21, with 3 branches
- **Size:** Large: read it before trusting it with anything live
- **Connects to:** Email, Gmail
- **Model:** OpenAI

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Email and Gmail accounts, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Take your time. At 21 steps it is large: read it before trusting it with anything live.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 21 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fparse-gmail-inbox-and-transform-into-todoist-tasks-with-open)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Email](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Email#library)[Gmail](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Gmail#library)

## Workflows like it

Also ai assistants, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Agile project generator with ClickUp and OpenAI** 21 steps · calls a model · ClickUp, Gmail](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/agile-project-generator-with-clickup-and-openai)
- [**Cybersecurity Intelligence: Create Daily Digest & Viral Topics** 21 steps · calls a model · Baserow, Email](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/cybersecurity-intelligence-create-daily-digest-and-viral-top)
- [**Design and apply Gmail label systems with OpenAI** 21 steps · calls a model · Gmail](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/design-and-apply-gmail-label-systems-with-openai)
- [**Retrieve and answer Gmail email queries with Llama and Qdrant** 21 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/retrieve-and-answer-gmail-email-queries-with-llama-and-qdran)
- [**Route IAM events with OpenAI and Slack** 21 steps · calls a model · Gmail, n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/route-iam-events-with-openai-and-slack)
- [**Turn HR news into policy update tasks and a weekly Gmail digest** 21 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/turn-hr-news-into-policy-update-tasks-and-a-weekly-gmail-dig)