How to Build an AI Email Agent That Automates Document Collection

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A developer tutorial published on DEV Community outlines how to build an autonomous email agent that manages document collection workflows such as KYC onboarding, loan applications, and vendor setup. Instead of summarizing a human's inbox, the agent acts as a direct participant with its own email address, sending checklists and tracking received documents per applicant. The system uses Nylas Agent Accounts, which function as standard mailbox grants, allowing developers to use familiar API endpoints without learning a new data layer. Application state — tracking which documents have been received and which are outstanding — is maintained in the developer's own database, while inbound webhooks trigger attachment processing and follow-up logic. The agent automatically sends nudges only for missing documents and closes the loop with a confirmation once all files are received, eliminating the need for manual chasing.

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