Start with email and calendar
Don’t connect everything on day one. Start with the two apps you use most:
Gmail
Inbox triage, draft replies, follow-up tracking.
Google Calendar
Meeting prep, scheduling, conflict detection.
One workspace per context
Keep different parts of your life in separate workspaces:| Workspace | What’s connected |
|---|---|
| Work | Work Gmail, Slack, Linear, Google Drive |
| Personal | Personal Gmail, personal calendar |
| Side project | Separate email, Notion |
Review before sending. Every time.
Runner shows you a draft before anything goes out. Make reviewing a habit:- Runner drafts the email or message
- You read it, check the tone and content
- You approve, edit, or discard
Start with questions, not commands
When you’re new to Runner, ask questions before giving orders. It helps you learn what Runner can see and do.| Instead of | Try first |
|---|---|
| ”Send an email to John" | "What’s the latest email thread with John? Can you draft a follow-up?" |
| "Create a meeting" | "Do I have any open slots this week for a 30-minute call?" |
| "Update the task" | "What’s the status of that task? What should I change?” |
Tell Runner your preferences
Runner remembers how you like things: “When you draft emails for me, keep them under 5 sentences. Use a professional but friendly tone. Always end with a clear next step.” Runner applies those preferences going forward. Less editing, better output.Be specific with names and dates
Runner works across multiple apps, so precision helps:| Vague | Clear |
|---|---|
| ”Check that email" | "Check the email from Sarah Chen about the Q2 budget" |
| "Schedule something next week" | "Find a 30-minute slot on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon" |
| "Update my tasks" | "Mark the API bug task as done and add a note that the fix shipped” |
Review your automations once a month
If you set up automations, check on them every once in a while. Remove any you don’t need anymore. Keeps things clean.Your first week with Runner
Here’s a good first week. Each step builds on the last.- Install Runner on your main computer
- Connect Gmail and Google Calendar — takes 30 seconds each
- Ask Runner: “Give me my morning briefing”
- Ask Runner: “Triage my inbox”
- Set up your first automation — morning briefing at 8am every weekday
- Connect Slack and ask: “What did I miss overnight?”
- Try voice dictation for at least one request (click the mic icon)
- Create a second workspace if you have work and personal accounts
What’s next?
Tips and tricks
Quick wins and features you might not have found yet.
See how others use Runner
Real workflows for founders, real estate agents, and more.