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Godwit

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Intro

Godwit is an open-source, AI-native desktop email client for macOS, Windows and Linux, developed by Baran Wang and published on GitHub as godwit-email/godwit. It is named after the bar-tailed godwit, the bird that holds the record for the longest non-stop flight.

Godwit works with any IMAP/SMTP account and ships with an assistant called Wit that reads, summarises, translates and drafts email using the model you choose – any OpenAI- or Anthropic-compatible API, or local models via Ollama and LM Studio. Version 1.21.0 shipped on October 30, 2026, and the app launched on Product Hunt on October 31, 2026.

Explain

Main features

  • Mail: IMAP/SMTP sync, offline changes, conversation view, full-text search and HTML compose; auto-detected setup for Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Yahoo, QQ Mail, 163/126, Lark/Feishu, DingTalk and more.
  • Wit assistant: answers questions about your mailbox, reads attachments (PDF, Office, CSV) and drafts replies – it never sends without your approval.
  • AI actions: summarise, translate, change tone/length and one-tap quick replies on a message, selection or draft; sign-in codes surfaced with one click.
  • Bring your own model: OpenAI-compatible (Chat Completions or Responses) or Anthropic-compatible endpoints, including local Ollama / LM Studio. API keys are stored in the OS keychain.
  • Extensions: drop in a SKILL.md to add a button; TypeScript plugins with declared permissions add cards, actions and Wit tools; MCP servers give Wit external tools.
  • godwit mcp: an MCP server that lets Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and other agents read mail and create drafts, but never send.

Privacy model

No Godwit account, no telemetry and no relay server: mail, drafts and the search index stay on your computer, passwords stay in the keychain, and the only Godwit-owned host contacted is the update server.

Usage

Getting started

  1. Download the installer from godwit.email (macOS 12+ DMG, Windows, Linux), or:
    • Homebrew: brew install godwit-email/tap/godwit
    • Linux/macOS user install: curl -fsSL https://dl.godwit.email/install.sh | sh
  2. Add your mailbox – common providers are auto-configured over IMAP/SMTP.
  3. In settings, point Wit at a model: an OpenAI/Anthropic-compatible API key, or a local endpoint such as localhost:11434 (Ollama).
  4. Optional: enable godwit mcp and connect it to Claude Code, Cursor or Codex so your coding agent can search mail and prepare drafts.

Good fits

  • Developers who want an inbox their AI agents can read without giving them send rights
  • Privacy-sensitive users who want AI email help with local models
  • Teams that want to extend their mail client with custom skills and plugins