Document Extraction · Business

AI Agent for Listening to new emails on an IMAP mailbox

Monitor an IMAP mailbox for new messages, extract binary XML attachments, convert to a stringified xml property on the $data object, transform to JSON, and post the payload to a HTTP endpoint.

How it works
1 Step
Step 1: Monitor IMAP mailbox
2 Step
Step 2: Extract and transform
3 Step
Step 3: Deliver
The AI agent connects to the IMAP server, authenticates, and watches the configured folder for new messages.

Overview

End-to-end automation for inbound XML data.

The AI agent connects to the IMAP mailbox and continuously watches for new messages. It extracts binary XML attachments, stores a stringified XML value in the data object, converts the payload to JSON, and posts it to the configured HTTP endpoint. This creates a repeatable, auditable flow suitable for starter EDI-like data exchange.


Capabilities

What IMAP Email to JSON AI Agent does

Performs end-to-end mail intake, extraction, mapping, and delivery.

01

Polls the IMAP mailbox for new messages and metadata.

02

Downloads binary XML attachments from messages.

03

Stringifies the XML content into data.xml on the data object.

04

Converts XML to JSON payload.

05

Applies optional mapping or transformation via Function nodes.

06

POSTs the JSON payload to the configured HTTP endpoint and logs results.

Why you should use IMAP Email to JSON AI Agent

/** This field uses before/after pain points and outcomes */ "before": [ {"text": "Manual mailbox monitoring is time-consuming and prone to missing messages.", "textTag": "p"}, {"text": "XML attachments are binary, hard to inspect, and require separate tooling.", "textTag": "p"}, {"text": "XML-to-JSON conversion depends on custom scripts that break with schema changes.", "textTag": "p"}, {"text": "Data mappings vary and can cause data loss or misalignment.", "textTag": "p"}, {"text": "Post-processing to HTTP endpoints is manual, delaying data delivery.", "textTag": "p"} ], "after": [ {"text": "New emails are detected automatically and in near real-time.", "textTag": "p"}, {"text": "XML attachments are parsed, and their data is stored in data.xml as a string.", "textTag": "p"}, {"text": "XML is converted to a uniform JSON payload ready for API intake.", "textTag": "p"}, {"text": "Optional mappings can be applied consistently via Function nodes.", "textTag": "p"}, {"text": "JSON payload is posted to the HTTP endpoint with an auditable log.", "textTag": "p"} ]

Before
After
Process

How it works

A simple three-step flow for non-technical users.

Step 01

Step 1: Monitor IMAP mailbox

The AI agent connects to the IMAP server, authenticates, and watches the configured folder for new messages.

Step 02

Step 2: Extract and transform

It downloads binary XML attachments, stringifies the XML into data.xml, and converts the content to JSON.

Step 03

Step 3: Deliver

It POSTs the JSON payload to the HTTP endpoint and logs success or failures for auditing.


Example

Example workflow

A realistic scenario with time and outcome.

Scenario: A supplier sends an XML invoice as an email attachment. The AI agent detects the new message within 2 minutes, extracts the attachment, converts the data to JSON, and posts it to the ERP API. Outcome: The invoice JSON is available in the ERP system for automatic processing.

Document Extraction IMAP mailboxXML-to-JSON transformerHTTP endpointLogging/audit store AI Agent flow

Audience

Who can benefit

Roles that gain from automated XML-to-JSON ingestion.

✍️ EDI/ERP integration specialist

Needs stable JSON payloads for ERP and integration pipelines.

💼 Accounts payable clerk

Sees fewer manual data-entry steps and faster vendor processing.

🧠 IT integration engineer

Wants a standard, repeatable XML-to-JSON flow without bespoke scripts.

Procurement/supply chain manager

Accelerates inbound document processing from suppliers.

🎯 Compliance officer

Maintains auditable POST events and data lineage.

📋 Operations analyst

Can monitor conversion accuracy and extract insights from logs.

Integrations

Out-of-the-box connections to common data sources and endpoints.

IMAP mailbox

Monitors for new messages and fetches attachments.

XML-to-JSON transformer

Converts binary XML to JSON payload in data objects.

HTTP endpoint

Receives POSTed JSON payloads and returns status.

Logging/audit store

Keeps an auditable trail of posts and errors.

Applications

Best use cases

Scenarios where IMAP to JSON with posting adds value.

Ingest supplier XML invoices from email and post to ERP as JSON.
Translate email-delivered XML confirmations into JSON for CRM.
Archive XML content as JSON for searchable logs and audits.
Automate inbound XML-based order data to procurement APIs.
Validate required XML fields before posting and flag errors.
Route failed messages to a retry queue with notifications.

FAQ

FAQ

Common questions about using this AI agent.

The AI agent supports standard IMAP servers with SSL/TLS. It requires mailbox credentials and host details. You can configure which folder to monitor and set polling intervals. For security, credentials can be stored in a secure vault and rotated as needed. If the server blocks connections, you can adjust timeouts or use a dedicated service account.

Yes. The AI agent can handle multiple attachments per message, processing each XML payload independently and posting separate JSON objects where applicable. You can configure a limit to avoid oversized messages and to respect endpoint constraints. Attachments that are not XML are ignored or logged for review. Each processed payload is timestamped for traceability.

All credentials are transmitted over TLS and stored securely. Data at rest can be encrypted in your chosen storage. Access to the AI agent and logs can be controlled by role-based permissions. Audit trails record each POST and error event. If required, you can route sensitive data via your secure network.

Yes. You can customize mapping rules using the Function nodes or built-in transformers. Define which XML elements map to which JSON properties and apply transformations. If your schema changes, update the mapping without modifying the core agent. Tests and dry-runs help ensure correctness before production.

The agent includes retry logic and queues failed posts for later delivery. You can configure backoff strategies and maximum retries. Alerts trigger when retries exhaust or errors occur. Post-success is logged for auditability.

Provide IMAP server details, login, and the mailbox to monitor. Specify the HTTP endpoint URL and required headers. You can enable secure storage for credentials and set rotation policies. The UI or API can be used to update settings without downtime.

Yes, with appropriate safeguards: authentication, access controls, and monitoring. It supports idempotent posting and detailed logging. Validate mappings in a staging environment before going live. Regular maintenance ensures compatibility with endpoint schemas.


AI Agent for Listening to new emails on an IMAP mailbox

Monitor an IMAP mailbox for new messages, extract binary XML attachments, convert to a stringified xml property on the $data object, transform to JSON, and post the payload to a HTTP endpoint.

Use this template → Read the docs