Turn an inbox into a daily to-do list with Claude Cowork (abandoned)

Source date:

Sep 21, 2026

Last verified:

Oct 16, 2026

Method:

How we verify

Evidence: Described by posterThe person describes what happened in words, without screenshots or video.

Outcome

Claude Cowork summarized the poster's email into a to-do list, but the list grew long and unmanageable, so the poster stopped reading it and turned it off as a waste of tokens.

Agent

Claude Cowork

Improved prompt: strengthened by us to avoid the problem in the source. Not tested by the poster. It doesn't change what happened in the source.

Not sure how to start? Tell me what you're trying to get done and I'll help you turn it into a clear request.

Goal: Turn my email into a short daily to-do list I'll actually use.

Quick check first: Which inbox and how many days back, and how many tasks a day can you realistically handle?

What I need from you:
- Inbox access (you'll sign in yourself)
- How far back to look ([N] days)
- Your daily limit (e.g. 5 tasks)

Rules:
- Only include emails that need me to do something. Skip newsletters, receipts and FYIs.
- Limit the list to my daily number. Put the rest in a short 'later' section.
- Give each task one line: what to do, who it's for and the deadline if there is one.
- Merge duplicates and follow-ups into one task.
- Don't reply to, delete, archive or label any email.

Output: Today's top tasks (up to my limit), a short 'later' list, and the email each task came from.

If any of this is unclear, tell me what you have and I'll help fill the gaps.

You'll know it worked when: the list fits on one screen and every item is something you actually need to do.

Summarize my email into a to-do list.

Source

https://x.com/uliang6482/status/2101965199452610582

By Tang U-Liang (@uliang6482) · Published Sep 21, 2026 · Added Oct 16, 2026 · Last verified Oct 16, 2026