Connect your mailbox (IMAP)

Talenkai reads inbound recruiting mail over IMAP and sends outbound mail over SMTP. Both are configured under Settings → Email → Connection (admin).

Before you start

• Prefer a shared desk mailbox (e.g. jobs@… / cv@…) rather than a personal inbox when several recruiters share the pipeline.

• Enable IMAP at your provider.

• For Microsoft 365 / Google, you often need an app password or SMTP/IMAP allowed for the account — normal login passwords may be blocked.

• Know host, port, and whether you use SSL/TLS (IMAP 993 is common; SMTP 587 STARTTLS or 465 SSL).

IMAP (inbound)

1. Open Settings → Email → Connection.

2. Enter IMAP host, port, username (usually the full email), and password/app password.

3. Set the fetch interval (within the allowed range shown in the UI).

4. Save and use Save & test IMAP if available.

5. Ensure the scheduled fetch / cron recommended on that screen is running in production so mail keeps arriving without opening the UI.

SMTP (outbound)

1. On the same Connection screen, fill SMTP host, port, user, password, and From name.

2. Save.

3. Send a test message later from the Outbox to a safe address you control.

What “connected” looks like

New messages appear in the Inbox, get classified, and can create or update candidates and jobs. Outbound drafts can leave via SMTP once you approve them (or immediately if that email type is set to Direct — see Email templates and send modes).

Common mistakes

• Wrong port or SSL mode → test fails.

• Using the webmail password when the provider requires an app password.

• Fetch token / cron not installed → inbox only updates when someone triggers fetch manually.

• SMTP From address not allowed by the provider → send fails even if IMAP works.

Related: IMAP fetch isn’t working, Email stuck in review or not sending.