> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.cometchat.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> How CometChat sends unread-message fallback emails and what to configure.

## Why use CometChat email notifications

Email acts as a safety net when users miss push: if a message stays unread past your wait window, CometChat can send a branded email that pulls them back to the conversation.

## How it works

* **Trigger**: Only fires when a chat message remains unread beyond the wait window you configure.
* **Templates**: Customize subject/body (sender name, snippet, deep link) per message type; manage in Templates & Sounds.
* **Preferences/DND**: Honors user/channel mutes, global DND, and quiet hours before sending.
* **Scheduling + timezones**: Respect quiet hours and deliver in the recipient’s local timezone.
* **Observability**: Use logs to verify sends and diagnose drops.

## Key capabilities

* Unread-based digests/transactional emails for 1:1 and group chats.
* Per-template customization with dynamic variables for sender, preview text, and links.
* Mute/quiet hours enforcement to avoid fatigue.
* Works alongside push/SMS as layered fallbacks.

## Setup checklist

1. **Enable email notifications** — Turn on email in your [CometChat dashboard](https://app.cometchat.com/).
2. **Connect your email provider** — Configure SMTP or a supported provider in [Email Integration](/notifications/email-integration).
3. **Customize templates** — Set subject lines, body content, and dynamic variables in [Email Templates](/notifications/email-templates).
4. **Set preferences** — Configure mute rules, DND windows, and quiet hours in [Email Preferences](/notifications/email-preferences).
5. **Verify delivery** — Check send status and troubleshoot drops in [Logs](/notifications/logs).