Automated email replies with GPT-4o, Outlook, and GoToHuman approval

This n8n workflow reads emails from your Outlook inbox, drafts AI-powered replies using OpenAI, and routes them through the gotoHuman node for human approval before replying automatically.

✅ Key Features

• Reads Outlook emails from today only (excluding those from your own address).
• AI-generated replies crafted using OpenAI based on the subject and body of the email.
• Community node integration: Uses the gotoHuman node for human review and approval of replies before sending.
• Safe sending: Only approved responses are automatically sent back via Outlook.
• Expandable: Can be easily modified to:
  • Send drafts instead of full replies
  • Include additional email filters
  • Trigger at intervals or via webhook

🧠 Nodes Used

• Microsoft Outlook – Fetch and reply to emails
• OpenAI – Generates smart reply text
• gotoHuman – Human-in-the-loop approval system
• Loop Over Items, IF, Code, and Set nodes for processing logic
• Manual Trigger – For testing

🔧 Setup Instructions

1. Connect APIs

• Outlook OAuth2:

  • Go to Azure Portal
  • Register an app
  • Add Mail.Read, Mail.Send scopes
  • Set redirect URI: https://api.n8n.cloud/oauth2-credential/callback
  • Paste credentials in n8n credential manager

• OpenAI API:

  • Create account at OpenAI
  • Create an API Key
  • Add it to n8n credentials

• gotoHuman API:

  • Go to https://gotoHuman.ai and sign in
  • Create a review template (e.g., “Email Responses”)
  • Copy the Template ID and API key into n8n credentials

🪜 Workflow Steps Overview

1. Trigger

Use the Manual Trigger to test or schedule execution with a cron node.

2. Filter Emails from Today

A Code node outputs today's date in the proper yyyy-mm-dd format.

const today = new Date();
today.setHours(0, 0, 0, 0);
return [{ json: { searchQuery: `received:${today.toISOString().split('T')[0]}` } }];

3. Search and Filter Outlook Messages

• Uses the Outlook node with a search query like:
  received:2025-08-06 -from:[email protected] (Update to your email)

4. Generate AI Response

• Text prompt to OpenAI:

  subject: {{ $json.subject }}  
  body: {{ $json.body.content }}
  

• System prompt:
  > You are a personal assistant helping respond to emails. I am an AI automation expert specializing in helping small and medium-size businesses automate processes. Create a short response to the email. Sign the email as Robert Breen.

5. Review with gotoHuman

• Submit AI output for human approval using the gotoHuman node.
• The output schema should match the Review Template fields (e.g., "email", "OriginalEmail").

6. IF Node Decision

• If status is approved, send reply
• If not, return to loop for revision or skip

✏️ Customization Ideas

• ✉️ Send only drafts by skipping the "reply" step and storing results.
• 🕒 Schedule the workflow with a Cron trigger for automation.
• 🔎 Add label filters or subject keywords for advanced targeting.

🔗 External Links

• gotoHuman Community Node
• OpenAI
• Microsoft Outlook API Setup

💬 Need More Help?

If you'd like help customizing this or building similar automations, reach out:

Robert Breen
AI & Automation Consultant
🌐 https://ynteractive.com
📧 [email protected]
🔗 LinkedIn