Outlook Automation via Rube MCP
Automate Microsoft Outlook operations through Composio's Outlook toolkit via Rube MCP.
Toolkit docs: composio.dev/toolkits/outlook
Prerequisites
- •Rube MCP must be connected (RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS available)
- •Active Outlook connection via
RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONSwith toolkitoutlook - •Always call
RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLSfirst to get current tool schemas
Setup
Get Rube MCP: Add https://rube.app/mcp as an MCP server in your client configuration. No API keys needed — just add the endpoint and it works.
- •Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming
RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLSresponds - •Call
RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONSwith toolkitoutlook - •If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete Microsoft OAuth
- •Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows
Core Workflows
1. Search and Filter Emails
When to use: User wants to find specific emails across their mailbox
Tool sequence:
- •
OUTLOOK_SEARCH_MESSAGES- Search with KQL syntax across all folders [Required] - •
OUTLOOK_GET_MESSAGE- Get full message details [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_LIST_OUTLOOK_ATTACHMENTS- List message attachments [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_DOWNLOAD_OUTLOOK_ATTACHMENT- Download attachment [Optional]
Key parameters:
- •
query: KQL search string (from:, to:, subject:, received:, hasattachment:) - •
from_index: Pagination start (0-based) - •
size: Results per page (max 25) - •
message_id: Message ID (use hitId from search results)
Pitfalls:
- •Only works with Microsoft 365/Enterprise accounts (not @hotmail.com/@outlook.com)
- •Pagination relies on hitsContainers[0].moreResultsAvailable; stop only when false
- •Use hitId from search results as message_id for downstream calls, not resource.id
- •Index latency: very recent emails may not appear immediately
- •Inline images appear as attachments; filter by mimetype for real documents
2. Query Emails in a Folder
When to use: User wants to list emails in a specific folder with OData filters
Tool sequence:
- •
OUTLOOK_LIST_MAIL_FOLDERS- List mail folders to get folder IDs [Prerequisite] - •
OUTLOOK_QUERY_EMAILS- Query emails with structured filters [Required]
Key parameters:
- •
folder: Folder name ('inbox', 'sentitems', 'drafts') or folder ID - •
filter: OData filter (e.g.,isRead eq false and importance eq 'high') - •
top: Max results (1-1000) - •
orderby: Sort field and direction - •
select: Array of fields to return
Pitfalls:
- •QUERY_EMAILS searches a SINGLE folder only; use SEARCH_MESSAGES for cross-folder search
- •Custom folders require folder IDs, not display names; use LIST_MAIL_FOLDERS
- •Always check response['@odata.nextLink'] for pagination
- •Cannot filter by recipient or body content; use SEARCH_MESSAGES for that
3. Manage Calendar Events
When to use: User wants to list, search, or inspect calendar events
Tool sequence:
- •
OUTLOOK_LIST_EVENTS- List events with filters [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_GET_CALENDAR_VIEW- Get events in a time window [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_GET_EVENT- Get specific event details [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_LIST_CALENDARS- List available calendars [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_GET_SCHEDULE- Get free/busy info [Optional]
Key parameters:
- •
filter: OData filter (use start/dateTime, NOT receivedDateTime) - •
start_datetime/end_datetime: ISO 8601 for calendar view - •
timezone: IANA timezone (e.g., 'America/New_York') - •
calendar_id: Optional non-primary calendar ID - •
select: Fields to return
Pitfalls:
- •Use calendar event properties only (start/dateTime, end/dateTime), NOT email properties (receivedDateTime)
- •Calendar view requires start_datetime and end_datetime
- •Recurring events need
expand_recurring_events=trueto see individual occurrences - •Decline status is per-attendee via attendees[].status.response
4. Manage Contacts
When to use: User wants to list, create, or organize contacts
Tool sequence:
- •
OUTLOOK_LIST_CONTACTS- List contacts [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_CREATE_CONTACT- Create a new contact [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_GET_CONTACT_FOLDERS- List contact folders [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_CREATE_CONTACT_FOLDER- Create contact folder [Optional]
Key parameters:
- •
givenName/surname: Contact name - •
emailAddresses: Array of email objects - •
displayName: Full display name - •
contact_folder_id: Optional folder for contacts
Pitfalls:
- •Contact creation supports many fields but only givenName or surname is needed
5. Manage Mail Folders
When to use: User wants to organize mail folders
Tool sequence:
- •
OUTLOOK_LIST_MAIL_FOLDERS- List top-level folders [Required] - •
OUTLOOK_LIST_CHILD_MAIL_FOLDERS- List subfolders [Optional] - •
OUTLOOK_CREATE_MAIL_FOLDER- Create a new folder [Optional]
Key parameters:
- •
parent_folder_id: Well-known name or folder ID - •
displayName: New folder name - •`include_hidde