Background tasks

Email categorization

Instead of dozens of overlapping labels, Trickle categorizes every email thread based on what it means for you, not where it came from or how it was written.

The goal is simple: reduce mental clutter and make it obvious what deserves attention.

What email categorization does

Trickle analyzes each email and assigns one clear category.

Each category answers one question:

  • Do I need to do something?

  • Am I waiting on someone?

  • Is this already done?

  • What is this about?

You don’t need to interpret labels or second-guess why something was tagged a certain way.

Two types of categories

Trickle uses two complementary category types. Only one category is active at a time.

State & priority categories

These keep your inbox focused on what needs your attention.

They help you when:

  • Something is urgent

  • You need to reply

  • You’re waiting for a response

  • The thread is finished

Examples:

  • Urgent

  • Awaiting reply

  • Action required

  • Completed

Topic categories

These describe what the email is about.

They help you:

  • Recognize emails instantly

  • Batch similar messages

  • Scan your inbox faster

Examples:

  • Marketing

  • Notifications

  • FYI

Topic categories don’t imply action.

How categories are assigned

Trickle categorizes the entire email thread, not individual messages.

It looks at:

  • Who last spoke

  • Whether a question is unanswered

  • Whether urgency is explicitly stated

  • Whether the conversation is complete

  • The overall topic of the thread

As a thread evolves, its category can change.

Example:

  • A scheduling email may start as Scheduling

  • Become Awaiting reply after you respond

  • End as Completed once the meeting is booked

Turning email categorization on or off

Email categorization is opt-in per email account.

To manage it:

  1. Go to Mails in Trickle

  2. Select a connected email account

  3. Toggle Email categorization on or off

You can enable categorization for one email address and keep it disabled for another.

Changes apply immediately.