# AI email agent: set up your Hail inbox

> Give incoming emails a helpful reply. Start with the Inbox template, add your business details, and connect your Hail-mail address.

- URL: https://hail.so/agent-templates/inbox

## Start with the Inbox template

Open **Agents**, select **New agent**, and choose **Inbox**.
This template turns on **Email** and starts with instructions for short, helpful replies.
Add your business hours, services, and the questions your team answers most often.

Use the [visual setup guide](https://hail.so/create-ai-agent) to see the editor.
You can also [connect Hail MCP](https://hail.so/mcp) and ask Claude, ChatGPT, or another supported assistant to help create this agent.

## Make the email instructions your own

Try this starting point:

```prompt
You answer email for BUSINESS NAME.
Use these business facts: HOURS, SERVICES, ADDRESS, POLICIES.
Read the email thread before replying.
Keep replies short and helpful. Ask one question at a time.
If a detail is missing, ask the sender or explain that the team will confirm it.
Send a message to a team member only when the sender asks for that help.
Do not invent prices, dates, or promises.
```

Select **Create agent** when the instructions are ready.

## Connect your Hail-mail address

Open **Email domains** and expand **Agent replies** for your Hail-mail address.
Choose your Inbox agent in **Agent**.

[![Agent replies settings showing the agent choice and Team members only option.](https://hail.so/assets/brand/screenshots/agent-setup/email.png)](https://hail.so/assets/brand/screenshots/agent-setup/email.png)

Choose **Team members only** for a first test with your team.
For customer email, select **Anyone who emails this address** and review the on-screen notice.
Outside senders can use the agent’s enabled tools. Keep those tools suited to its job, then confirm your choice and save.

Hail checks incoming senders before replying. Calls and texts can use the same agent, but each email conversation has its own thread.

## Try an email conversation

Send an email from your verified team address to the Hail-mail address. Check your inbox for the reply.
Your agent's replies use your prepaid balance. [See email prices](https://hail.so/pricing).

- [ ] Ask about your opening hours and check the reply.
- [ ] Send a follow-up question in the same thread.
- [ ] Ask about a detail that is not in the instructions.
- [ ] Read the conversation in **Activity** and adjust the instructions.

For a customer-facing inbox, also try a message from outside your team after choosing the customer reply setting.

## Add calls and text messages

Open the same agent and turn on **Calls** and **Texts** under **Answers**.
Add a phone number for those channels. Your email address stays connected to the agent.
The [combined setup guide](https://hail.so/create-ai-agent#4-connect-phone-calls-and-sms-to-the-same-agent) shows each step.

For customer records or calendar tasks, your developer can use the [API](https://hail.so/docs/api) and [webhooks](https://hail.so/docs/webhooks).

## AI email agent FAQ

### Can the same agent answer calls, texts, and email?

Yes. Turn on each channel, connect a phone number, and choose the agent for your Hail-mail address.

### Can I set this up with MCP?

Yes. Connect Hail MCP to your preferred AI assistant and ask it to create or update your email agent.

### How does the agent use conversation history?

Email replies use the email thread. Phone history covers calls and texts separately.