Setting Up Email Delivery
Configure SMTP and IMAP for sending outreach emails and detecting prospect replies.
Why It Matters
Kit sends outreach emails through your SMTP server, not a shared sending service. This means you control your sender reputation, deliverability, and domain authentication. Configuring IMAP enables Kit to detect prospect replies automatically, so conversations appear in your reply inbox within minutes.
Navigate to Outreach > Settings to configure both.
Configuring SMTP
SMTP credentials tell Kit how to send emails on your behalf. All fields except from_name are required.
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
host |
SMTP server hostname | smtp.mailgun.org |
port |
SMTP port (1–65535, default: 587) | 587 |
username |
SMTP authentication username | [email protected] |
password |
SMTP authentication password | key-abc123... |
from_email |
Sender email address | [email protected] |
from_name |
Display name shown to recipients (optional) | Alex from Acme |
include_unsubscribe_headers |
Add RFC 8058 List-Unsubscribe headers (default: on) | true |
After saving, Kit attempts a test connection to verify your credentials. A green “Verified” badge appears once the connection succeeds. If verification fails, check the troubleshooting section below.
Configuring IMAP
IMAP allows Kit to poll your inbox for prospect replies. When a reply arrives, Kit matches it to the original outreach message using the In-Reply-To header and the sender’s email address.
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
imap_host |
IMAP server hostname | imap.gmail.com |
imap_port |
IMAP port (typically 993 for SSL) | 993 |
imap_username |
IMAP login username | [email protected] |
IMAP uses the same password you entered for SMTP. Enable IMAP by toggling the IMAP section on the settings page. Kit polls every 5 minutes for new messages.
Choosing a Provider
Any standard SMTP/IMAP provider works. Here are common options:
| Provider | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Workspace | Teams already on Google | Use app passwords; enable IMAP in Gmail settings |
| Mailgun | High-volume senders | Dedicated IP available; good deliverability tools |
| Postmark | Transactional senders | Strong reputation; strict content policies |
| Amazon SES | Cost-sensitive teams | Cheapest at scale; requires domain verification |
| Resend | Developer-friendly setup | Simple API keys; modern dashboard |
| Fastmail | Privacy-focused teams | Native IMAP support; no app password workaround needed |
Whichever provider you choose, make sure your domain has SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records configured. Most providers include setup guides for these.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication failed | Wrong username or password | Double-check credentials; use app passwords for Google Workspace |
| Connection refused | Wrong host or port | Verify hostname; try port 587 (STARTTLS) or 465 (SSL) |
| SSL/TLS error | Port/encryption mismatch | Port 587 uses STARTTLS; port 465 uses implicit SSL |
| Replies not detected | IMAP not enabled or wrong folder | Enable IMAP on your provider; check that Kit is polling the correct mailbox |
| Emails going to spam | Missing DNS records | Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your sending domain |
Quick Checklist
- Enter SMTP credentials (host, port, username, password, from_email)
- Verify the connection shows a green “Verified” badge
- Enable IMAP and enter your IMAP server details
- Confirm SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are set on your domain
- Toggle List-Unsubscribe headers on or off based on your sending style
- Send a test email to yourself to verify delivery
Next Steps
- Creating Campaigns — set up your first campaign with templates and AI directives
- Suppressions, Bounces, and Deliverability — protect your sender reputation