Query 5: Draft Emails Needing Attention#

Use Case Description#

Find draft emails that need attention, focusing on older drafts that may have been forgotten. This helps users manage their composition workflow and complete pending communications.

Key JMAP Concepts Used#

• Mailbox role filtering: Finding drafts mailbox by role
• Keyword filtering: Using $draft keyword to identify draft emails
• Age-based sorting: Finding oldest drafts first for prioritization
• Mailbox/query: Locating system mailboxes by role
• Multi-step queries: Mailbox discovery followed by email filtering

JMAP Request#

{
  "using": ["urn:ietf:params:jmap:core", "urn:ietf:params:jmap:mail"],
  "methodCalls": [
    [
      "Mailbox/query",
      {
        "accountId": "u12345678",
        "filter": {
          "role": "drafts"
        }
      },
      "mb0"
    ],
    [
      "Email/query", 
      {
        "accountId": "u12345678",
        "filter": {
          "operator": "AND",
          "conditions": [
            {
              "hasKeyword": "$draft"
            },
            {
              "#inMailbox": {
                "resultOf": "mb0",
                "name": "Mailbox/query", 
                "path": "/ids/0"
              }
            },
            {
              "before": "2024-08-20T00:00:00Z"
            }
          ]
        },
        "sort": [
          {
            "property": "receivedAt",
            "isAscending": true
          }
        ],
        "limit": 10
      },
      "q0"
    ],
    [
      "Email/get",
      {
        "accountId": "u12345678", 
        "#ids": {
          "resultOf": "q0",
          "name": "Email/query",
          "path": "/ids"
        },
        "properties": [
          "id", "threadId", "keywords", "from", "to", "cc", "bcc", "subject",
          "receivedAt", "sentAt", "preview", "textBody", "htmlBody", "attachments",
          "bodyValues"
        ],
        "bodyProperties": ["value", "isEncodingProblem", "isTruncated"]
      },
      "g0"
    ]
  ]
}

Expected Response Structure#

{
  "methodResponses": [
    [
      "Mailbox/query",
      {
        "accountId": "u12345678",
        "queryState": "mq1234567893",
        "canCalculateChanges": true,
        "position": 0,
        "ids": ["Mdrafts"],
        "total": 1,
        "limit": null
      },
      "mb0"
    ],
    [
      "Email/query",
      {
        "accountId": "u12345678",
        "queryState": "q1234567893",
        "canCalculateChanges": true,
        "position": 0,
        "ids": ["Memail201", "Memail202", "Memail203"], 
        "total": 7,
        "limit": 10
      },
      "q0"
    ],
    [
      "Email/get",
      {
        "accountId": "u12345678",
        "state": "s9876543214",
        "list": [
          {
            "id": "Memail201",
            "threadId": "Tthread301",
            "keywords": {"$draft": true},
            "from": [{"email": "me@example.com", "name": "John Doe"}],
            "to": [{"email": "client@company.com", "name": "Important Client"}],
            "cc": [],
            "bcc": [],
            "subject": "Proposal Follow-up - ", 
            "receivedAt": "2024-08-10T15:30:00Z",
            "sentAt": null,
            "preview": "Hi [Client Name], Thank you for taking the time to review our proposal...",
            "textBody": [{"id": "draft1", "mimeType": "text/plain"}],
            "htmlBody": null,
            "bodyValues": {
              "draft1": {
                "value": "Hi [Client Name],\n\nThank you for taking the time to review our proposal. I wanted to follow up on a few key points:\n\n- Timeline considerations\n- Budget adjustments\n- [NEED TO ADD SPECIFIC DETAILS]\n\nPlease let me know your thoughts.\n\nBest regards,\nJohn",
                "isEncodingProblem": false,
                "isTruncated": false
              }
            },
            "attachments": []
          },
          {
            "id": "Memail202",
            "threadId": "Tthread302",
            "keywords": {"$draft": true, "$flagged": true},
            "from": [{"email": "me@example.com", "name": "John Doe"}],
            "to": [{"email": "hr@company.com", "name": "HR Department"}],
            "cc": [],
            "bcc": [],
            "subject": "Time off request - urgent",
            "receivedAt": "2024-08-15T11:45:00Z", 
            "sentAt": null,
            "preview": "Dear HR Team, I would like to request time off for the following dates...",
            "textBody": [{"id": "draft2", "mimeType": "text/plain"}],
            "htmlBody": null,
            "bodyValues": {
              "draft2": {
                "value": "Dear HR Team,\n\nI would like to request time off for the following dates:\n\n[DATES TO BE FILLED IN]\n\nReason: [NEED TO SPECIFY]\n\nI will ensure all my current projects are completed or properly handed off before my departure.\n\nThank you for your consideration.\n\nBest regards,\nJohn",
                "isEncodingProblem": false,
                "isTruncated": false
              }
            },
            "attachments": []
          }
        ],
        "notFound": []
      },
      "g0"
    ]
  ]
}

Explanation of Key Features#

Mailbox Role Discovery#

• Mailbox/query with role: "drafts" locates the system drafts folder
• Role-based lookup works across different email providers and configurations
• Handles cases where drafts folder has custom names or locations

Result Reference Chaining#

• #inMailbox with resultOf uses the drafts mailbox ID from step 1
• path: "/ids/0" extracts the first (and typically only) drafts mailbox ID
• Eliminates hardcoded mailbox IDs and adapts to server configurations

Draft-Specific Filtering#

• hasKeyword: "$draft" ensures emails are actually drafts
• before filter finds older drafts that may need attention
• Double verification (mailbox + keyword) handles edge cases

Draft Content Analysis#

The response reveals common draft patterns:

• Incomplete subjects: "Proposal Follow-up - " (trailing dash/space)
• Placeholder text: "[Client Name]", "[NEED TO ADD DETAILS]"
• Template content: Standardized openings with missing specifics
• Flagged drafts: Important drafts marked with $flagged keyword

Draft Management Workflow#

Identification Criteria:

1. Age-based priority (older drafts first)
2. Content completeness analysis
3. Recipient validation
4. Subject line completion

Action Items Discovery:

• Search for placeholder patterns: [...], TODO, FIXME
• Identify incomplete subjects (trailing punctuation)
• Check for missing recipients or CCs
• Validate attachment references in text

Completion Workflow:

1. Load draft for editing
2. Fill in placeholder content
3. Complete recipient lists
4. Finalize subject line
5. Review and send or save

Advanced Draft Queries#

High Priority Drafts:

{
  "operator": "AND", 
  "conditions": [
    {"hasKeyword": "$draft"},
    {"hasKeyword": "$flagged"},
    {"before": "2024-08-18T00:00:00Z"}
  ]
}

Template Drafts:

{
  "operator": "AND",
  "conditions": [
    {"hasKeyword": "$draft"},
    {"text": "["}
  ]
}

Drafts with Attachments:

{
  "operator": "AND",
  "conditions": [
    {"hasKeyword": "$draft"}, 
    {"hasAttachment": true}
  ]
}