diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 59b9bea7c..d60132fb5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -256,15 +256,16 @@ That's it! You have a working AI assistant in 2 minutes.
## 💬 Chat Apps
-Talk to your picoclaw through Telegram, Discord, DingTalk, or LINE
+Talk to your picoclaw through Telegram, Discord, DingTalk, LINE, or Email
-| Channel | Setup |
-| ------------ | ---------------------------------- |
-| **Telegram** | Easy (just a token) |
-| **Discord** | Easy (bot token + intents) |
-| **QQ** | Easy (AppID + AppSecret) |
-| **DingTalk** | Medium (app credentials) |
-| **LINE** | Medium (credentials + webhook URL) |
+| Channel | Setup |
+| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------- |
+| **Telegram** | Easy (just a token) |
+| **Discord** | Easy (bot token + intents) |
+| **QQ** | Easy (AppID + AppSecret) |
+| **DingTalk** | Medium (app credentials) |
+| **LINE** | Medium (credentials + webhook URL) |
+| **Email** | Medium (IMAP + optional SMTP, allow list) |
Telegram (Recommended)
@@ -464,6 +465,64 @@ picoclaw gateway
+
+Email
+
+Use an inbox as a channel: PicoClaw connects via IMAP to read new mail and (optionally) sends replies via SMTP. Sender address is used as chat identity; only senders in `allow_from` are accepted.
+
+**1. Prepare mailbox**
+
+* Use a mailbox that supports IMAP (e.g. 163, QQ, Gmail). Use an **app password / authorization code**, not the account password:
+ * **QQ mail**: [qq mail](https://wx.mail.qq.com/list/readtemplate?name=app_intro.html#/agreement/authorizationCode)
+ * **163 mail**: [163 FAQ](https://help.mail.163.com/faq.do?m=list&categoryID=90)
+* Optional: configure SMTP on the same or another server to let the agent send replies.
+
+**2. Configure**
+
+```json
+{
+ "channels": {
+ "email": {
+ "enabled": true,
+ "imap_server": "imap.qq.com",
+ "imap_port": 993,
+ "username": "your@qq.com",
+ "password": "YOUR_APP_PASSWORD",
+ "mailbox": "INBOX",
+ "check_interval": 30,
+ "use_idle": true,
+ "use_tls": true,
+ "allow_from": ["allowed-sender@example.com"],
+ "attachment_dir": "/path/to/save/attachments",
+ "smtp_server": "smtp.qq.com",
+ "smtp_port": 465,
+ "smtp_use_tls": true
+ }
+ }
+}
+```
+
+| Field | Description |
+| ----- | ----------- |
+| `imap_server`, `imap_port` | IMAP server (e.g. 993 with TLS). |
+| `username`, `password` | Mailbox login; 163/QQ require app password. |
+| `mailbox` | Folder to watch (default `INBOX`). |
+| `use_idle` | `true`: use IMAP IDLE when supported (push); `false`: poll every `check_interval` seconds. |
+| `check_interval` | Polling interval in seconds when IDLE is off or unsupported (default 30). |
+| `allow_from` | Allowed sender addresses; only their mails trigger the agent. |
+| `attachment_dir` | Directory to save attachments; leave empty to skip saving. |
+| `smtp_server`, `smtp_port`, `smtp_use_tls` | Optional; if set, the agent can send replies. |
+
+**3. Run**
+
+```bash
+picoclaw gateway
+```
+
+> Incoming mail is processed as user messages; replies are sent to the sender. Session is keyed by sender email address.
+
+
+
##
Join the Agent Social Network
Connect Picoclaw to the Agent Social Network simply by sending a single message via the CLI or any integrated Chat App.