> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.slashy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Moving from Gmail to Slashy

> What syncs automatically, what doesn't, keyboard shortcut mapping, and your first week plan.

Slashy is a full replacement for the Gmail web interface. You keep the same Gmail backend -- Slashy reads and writes to it directly. Nothing is lost.

## What Syncs Automatically

When you connect your Gmail account, all of these sync with no action required:

* **All email** -- inbox, sent, archives, trash, spam. Full history.
* **Labels** -- system and custom, bidirectional.
* **Read/unread status** and **stars** -- bidirectional.
* **Drafts** -- existing Gmail drafts appear in Slashy and vice versa.
* **Contacts** -- names, emails, profile photos from Google Contacts.
* **Calendar** -- Google Calendar events sync bidirectionally in real time.
* **Signatures** -- Slashy detects and uses your Gmail signature.

## What Does NOT Sync

| Gmail Feature                            | Slashy Equivalent                                                                      |
| ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Filters                                  | AI importance labels (more flexible, no manual rules)                                  |
| Categories (Primary, Social, Promotions) | AI importance labels (customizable, more accurate)                                     |
| Gmail Chat / Spaces                      | Not available -- Slashy focuses on email + calendar + AI                               |
| Gmail Tasks                              | Slashy tasks (`p t`). Gmail Tasks do not migrate.                                      |
| Canned Responses                         | Snippets (`Cmd+Shift+S` to insert, `n s` to create). Support AI variable substitution. |

## Keyboard Shortcut Mapping

Most Gmail shortcuts work identically. Key differences:

| Action                      | Gmail                 | Slashy                    |
| --------------------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Compose                     | `c`                   | `c`                       |
| Reply / Reply All / Forward | `r` / `a` / `f`       | `r` / `a` / `f`           |
| Send                        | `Cmd+Enter`           | `Cmd+Enter`               |
| Search                      | `/`                   | `/`                       |
| Archive                     | `e`                   | `e`                       |
| Star                        | `s`                   | `s`                       |
| Mark read/unread            | `Shift+I` / `Shift+U` | `u` (toggle)              |
| Trash / Spam                | `#` / `!`             | `#` / `!`                 |
| Navigate                    | `j` / `k`             | `j` / `k`                 |
| Go to Inbox / Sent / Drafts | `g i` / `g t` / `g d` | `g i` / `g t` / `g d`     |
| Label                       | `l`                   | `l` or `v`                |
| Select all                  | `*+a`                 | `Cmd+A`                   |
| Settings                    | --                    | `Cmd+,`                   |
| Command Palette             | --                    | `Cmd+K`                   |
| AI Draft Reply              | --                    | `Cmd+Enter` (on a thread) |
| AI Agent                    | --                    | `Cmd+Shift+L`             |
| Snooze / Reminder           | --                    | `h`                       |
| Shortcut reference          | `?`                   | `Shift+?`                 |

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/karvixinc/QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF/images/screenshots/moving-from-gmail-to-slashy.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF&q=85&s=cb9fa398cb1175503e4b3f5e7cf726df" alt="Slashy inbox showing a migrated Gmail account with all labels and emails synced" width="2028" height="1512" data-path="images/screenshots/moving-from-gmail-to-slashy.png" />
</Frame>

## Setting Slashy as Your Primary Client

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install">
    Bookmark the web app or install the desktop app. Download the [iOS app](https://apps.apple.com) for mobile.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Notifications">
    Enable native OS notifications (desktop app) or browser notifications (web app).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Labels">
    **Settings > Labels** -- enable and customize importance labels to replace Gmail's category tabs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Memories">
    **Settings > Memories** -- add your role, preferences, and communication style so AI drafts are accurate from day one.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Your First 7 Days

<Accordion title="Day 1: Connect and configure">
  * Connect Gmail and wait for initial sync (2-15 minutes)
  * Set up importance labels and add 3-5 memories
  * Explore shortcuts with `Shift+?`
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Days 2-3: Use it for all email">
  * Reply using Slashy instead of Gmail
  * Try AI Draft Reply (`Cmd+Enter`) and edit the result
  * Use the AI Agent (`Cmd+Shift+L`) to ask questions about your inbox
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Days 4-5: Set up automations">
  * Ask the agent for a Daily Dropped Ball Scanner
  * Enable auto-reminders for unanswered contacts
  * Create a meeting prep automation
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Days 6-7: Optimize">
  * Create Snippets for frequent emails (`n s`)
  * Insert availability in replies (`Shift+Cmd+A`)
  * Use Bulk Unsubscribe in Settings to clean up newsletters
</Accordion>

## Gmail vs Slashy at a Glance

| Capability                  | Gmail                         | Slashy                                           |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Email reading & sending** | Yes                           | Yes (same Gmail backend)                         |
| **Filters / sorting**       | Manual rules                  | AI importance labels (learns from corrections)   |
| **Drafts**                  | Manual                        | AI-generated drafts in your voice                |
| **Calendar**                | Separate app                  | Built-in, side-by-side with inbox                |
| **Scheduling**              | Requires Calendly/third-party | Insert availability into replies (`Shift+Cmd+A`) |
| **Search**                  | Keyword-based                 | AI-powered natural language search               |
| **Automations**             | None                          | Background triggers, scanners, and reminders     |
| **iMessage integration**    | None                          | Alerts, summaries, OTP forwarding                |
| **Keyboard shortcuts**      | 30+ shortcuts                 | 80+ shortcuts (Gmail-compatible)                 |
| **AI agent**                | Gemini sidebar (limited)      | Full agent: drafts, sends, searches, automates   |

<Tip>
  **Keyboard shortcuts cheatsheet** -- press `Shift+?` anytime to see every shortcut in Slashy, or visit the [full cheatsheet](/how-to-guides/keyboard-shortcuts).
</Tip>

## Migration Checklist

Use this checklist to track your transition:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect your Gmail account">
    Sign up at [slashy.com](https://slashy.com) and connect via Google OAuth. Wait for initial sync (2-15 minutes).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up importance labels">
    Go to **Settings > Labels** and customize your importance categories. These replace Gmail's Primary/Social/Promotions tabs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add AI memories">
    **Settings > Memories** -- add your role, writing style, and preferences so AI drafts are accurate immediately.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the desktop app">
    Download from [slashy.com/download](https://slashy.com/download). Enable OS notifications.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Recreate Gmail filters as automations">
    Open the agent sidebar (`Cmd+Shift+L`) and describe your old Gmail filters in plain English. The agent creates equivalent automations.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create snippets for canned responses">
    Press `n s` to create snippets that replace Gmail canned responses. Slashy snippets support AI variable substitution.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Disable Gmail notifications">
    Turn off Gmail desktop/mobile notifications so you only get alerts from Slashy. This avoids double-notifications.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Can I Still Use Gmail?

Yes. Slashy and Gmail share the same backend -- switch freely. But using Slashy as your primary client makes the AI smarter. It learns your writing style, patterns, and preferences over time.

***

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Your First Week" icon="calendar-check" href="/getting-started/first-week">
    Day-by-day guide from onboarding to trained AI.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sync Issues" icon="rotate" href="/troubleshooting/sync-issues">
    Troubleshoot email and calendar sync problems.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>