Command
nylas ai config
The nylas ai config command sets up which AI provider the CLI uses for smart compose, inbox analysis, and natural language scheduling. Choose between local models (Ollama, LM Studio) for privacy or cloud providers (OpenAI, Anthropic) for capability.
Written by Qasim Muhammad Staff SRE
What does nylas ai config do?
The nylas ai config command sets up which AI provider the CLI uses for smart compose, inbox analysis, and natural language scheduling. Choose between local models (Ollama, LM Studio) for privacy or cloud providers (OpenAI, Anthropic) for capability.
Usage
nylas ai configFlags
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| --json | Output as JSON |
| --no-color | Disable color output |
| --verbose(-v) | Enable verbose output |
| --config | Custom config file path |
| --help(-h) | Show help for the command |
| --limit | Limit results (most list commands) |
| --yes(-y) | Skip confirmations |
Examples
Interactive setup
nylas ai configCheck current AI provider
nylas ai config --jsonTroubleshooting
AI features return errors after config
Verify your AI provider API key is valid. For local models, ensure Ollama or LM Studio is running.
Smart compose is slow
Local models are slower than cloud providers. Switch to OpenAI or Anthropic for faster responses: `nylas ai config`.
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Run nylas ai config --help for full help output.