Godwit

Godwit is an open-source desktop email client for macOS, Windows and Linux, developed under the godwit-email organization. It works with any IMAP/SMTP account and includes an assistant, Wit, that reads, summarizes, translates and drafts mail using the model the user chooses. The latest release listed is v1.25.0, published November 2, 2026.

What It Is

Godwit is a mail client with sync, offline changes, conversations, full-text search and HTML compose with reply, forward, CC/BCC and drafts. Account setup is detected for providers such as Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Yahoo, QQ Mail, 163/126, Lark/Feishu and DingTalk. Wit answers questions about synced mail, reads PDF, Office and CSV attachments, and drafts replies; it never sends without approval. AI actions cover summarizing, translating, adjusting tone and length, and quick replies on a message, selection or draft.

Models and Privacy Model

Users connect any OpenAI-compatible (Chat Completions or Responses) or Anthropic-compatible service, including local ones like Ollama and LM Studio. API keys and passwords are kept in the system keychain. The site states there is no Godwit account, no telemetry and no server relaying mail; synced mail, drafts and the search index live in the local data directory. Remote images are blocked by default, and update checks download new versions without uploading anything.

Extensions and Agent Access

The built-in AI features use the same extension points open to users. A SKILL.md file in the skills folder becomes a Wit skill or an action button. TypeScript plugins with declared permissions add hooks, actions, cards and Wit tools, and can read mail and write drafts but not send. Native plugins use a C ABI and require the user to allow the exact file. MCP servers give Wit external tools, with each write call requiring approval. Running godwit mcp exposes an MCP server so agents such as Claude and Cursor can read mail and create drafts, but not send.

Current Status

The README labels the project as 0.0.x early preview and advises keeping a copy of important mail on the server, while the site and releases show v1.25.0. It is licensed under Apache-2.0.