Email Channel

Overview

The email channel handles outbound email delivery as a deterministic step in an execution plan. Every email sent is tracked, logged, and idempotent.

Configuration

import { EmailChannel } from '@dee/channels-email';

const email = new EmailChannel({
  provider: 'smtp',
  host: process.env.SMTP_HOST,
  port: 587,
  auth: {
    user: process.env.SMTP_USER,
    pass: process.env.SMTP_PASS,
  },
  defaults: {
    from: 'outreach@example.com',
    replyTo: 'team@example.com',
  },
  tracking: {
    opens: true,    // pixel tracking
    clicks: true,   // link wrapping
    domain: 'track.example.com',
  },
});

Templates

Email templates use Handlebars syntax with access to the execution context:

Subject: {{subject}}

Hi {{contact.firstName}},

{{#if previousStep.result.opened}}
I noticed you opened my previous email — wanted to follow up.
{{else}}
I wanted to make sure my last message didn't get buried.
{{/if}}

Best,
{{sender.name}}

Available template variables:

Events

The email channel emits events that feed back into the execution context:

These events are ingested into the ordered event queue and become available to subsequent branch steps.

Deliverability

The engine enforces deliverability best practices:

• Rate limiting — Respects per-domain send limits to avoid throttling
• Warm-up — Gradually increases send volume for new domains/IPs
• Bounce handling — Automatically pauses runs for hard-bounced contacts
• Unsubscribe — Stops all runs for a contact when they unsubscribe
• Suppression list — Global suppression list checked before every send

Error Handling