Before you start

An Aquila account
An iCloud email address
An Apple app-specific password
A Claude client that can connect to an MCP server

Connect your iCloud Mail mailbox in Aquila

Choose iCloud Mail in Aquila. Aquila fills the IMAP and SMTP host settings for Apple Mail automatically.

Open the dashboard and choose Add inbox.
Select the provider card when it is available, or use Other IMAP for custom settings.
Enter an inbox name, email address, and mailbox password or app password.

Screenshot slot: Add inbox dialogAquila interface capture

Use this slot for a screenshot of the Aquila provider picker or custom IMAP form.

Test and save the mailbox

Aquila tests the incoming IMAP connection and, when SMTP is enabled, the outgoing SMTP connection before saving credentials.

Do not use your iCloud password. Create a dedicated Apple app-specific password.
A successful test confirms that the agent can reach the mailbox through Aquila.
Mailbox credentials are encrypted at rest and decrypted only for request-time access.

Screenshot slot: Connection testAquila interface capture

Use this slot for the Aquila Test connection step after the check animation succeeds.

Create an API key for Claude

Create a dedicated API key for each agent or workspace so access can be audited, scoped, and revoked independently.

Name the key after the agent or environment that will use it.
Select only the mailboxes this key should expose.
Optionally set an expiration date for temporary projects or contractor access.

Screenshot slot: API key dialogAquila interface capture

Use this slot for the Aquila API key configuration dialog with mailbox access selected.

Add Aquila as an MCP server in Claude

Use the Aquila MCP endpoint and the API key you created. The endpoint is http://localhost:8080/mcp.

Use an Authorization bearer token header with the API key.
Keep the API key secret. Aquila only shows it once after creation.
After connecting, ask the agent to list connected email addresses to verify access.

Screenshot slot: Agent MCP settingsAquila interface capture

Use this slot for the Claude MCP server configuration screen.

Reusable MCP configuration block

Use this block in every guide and replace the API key placeholder with the one-time key copied from Aquila.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aquila-email": {
      "url": "http://localhost:8080/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer <your aqla_ API key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

FAQ

Can I use my normal iCloud password?

No. Apple requires an app-specific password for third-party IMAP and SMTP access.

Can Claude access every mailbox in my Aquila account?

Only if the API key is configured for every mailbox. You can scope a key to one iCloud mailbox.

How to connect iCloud emails to Claude