Start here: Run preview with Apply OFF before deleting or labeling anything in Gmail.
The three-phase model
1. Connect
Store your OpenAI API key and Gmail OAuth tokens locally in Windows Credential Manager. No centralized mailbox on our servers.
2. Preview (read-only)
Inbox Maid reads messages, generates suggestions, and shows results. Gmail is untouched. This is the default every time you open Run Cleanup.
3. Apply (explicit)
Toggle apply on, confirm the warning, run again. Modify scope is used only here — labels and Trash moves execute for confirmed runs.
Why this matters for AI-assisted cleanup
AI suggestions can be wrong. Preview-first design treats the model as a proposal engine, not an autonomous agent. You remain the decision-maker; the app surfaces options at scale.