Onboarding to Drumkit in Gmail

Last updated: March 10, 2026

Getting Started

Prerequisites

Before you can use Drumkit, make sure the following are in place:

  • Your company has an active Drumkit subscription

  • You have a Google Workspace work account with access to Gmail

  • You have an active internet connection (required for add-ons to load and run)

Note: If your organization's IT admin has deployed Drumkit centrally, it may already appear in your Gmail sidebar. Check the right-hand panel before following the steps below.

Installing Drumkit

Step 1: Create your Drumkit account

  1. Go to https://app.drumkit.ai/signup and sign up using your Google work email address.

  2. When the Google permissions prompt appears, click Continue a few times to proceed.

  3. Make sure to check the box that permits Drumkit to securely access your Gmail account — this is required for Drumkit to function.

Step 2: Install the Chrome Extension

  1. Go to the Drumkit Chrome Extension page.

  2. Click Add to Chrome and follow the prompts to install.

Step 3: Log in to link the extension to your account

  1. Go to https://app.drumkit.ai/login and sign in with your Google work account.

  2. When the Google permissions prompt appears, click Continue a few times to proceed.

  3. This step links the Chrome extension to your Drumkit account.

Step 4: Verify in Gmail

  1. Go to Gmail and refresh the page.

  2. Open a recent email — Drumkit should appear and automatically link to your inbox.

Verifying the Installation

Once installed, confirm Drumkit is working:

  1. Open any email in your Gmail inbox.

  2. Look for the Drumkit icon in the right-hand sidebar.

  3. Click it and select "Open Drumkit" — the Drumkit smart sidebar should open and begin reading the active email.

If the panel opens and loads, you're all set!

Important — Email History Limitation: Drumkit will only read emails that are received after installation. Emails that arrived in your inbox before you installed Drumkit will not be processed when opened. If you need Drumkit to act on a pre-installation email, forward the email to yourself after installation.

Accessing Drumkit When Reading or Composing Email

  • Reading an email: Open a message and click the Drumkit icon in the right-hand sidebar to open the panel.

  • Composing an email: Open a new compose window and look for the Drumkit icon in the bottom-right toolbar of the compose window.

  • Pinning the panel: To keep Drumkit open as you move between emails, click the pin icon at the top of the Drumkit panel.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Keep your inbox organized. Drumkit works best when emails are actionable and clear. Encourage carriers and customers to send structured requests so Drumkit can read and act on them accurately.

  • Always review before confirming. While Drumkit automates data entry and drafts, always do a quick review of auto-filled fields before submitting loads or sending replies — especially for high-value shipments.

  • Use it for every load. The more consistently Drumkit is used, the more value you'll get. Skipping the tool for "quick" tasks adds up to lost time over the course of a week.

  • Stay in Outlook. Resist the urge to jump to your TMS for tasks Drumkit can handle. The whole point is to centralize your workflow in your inbox.

  • Report issues early. If Drumkit misreads an email or pulls incorrect data, flag it to your team lead or Drumkit support right away. This feedback helps improve accuracy over time.

Common Questions

Q: I signed up but Drumkit isn't appearing in Gmail.

  • A: Make sure you completed all four installation steps — signed up at app.drumkit.ai, installed the Chrome extension, and logged in to link your account. Then refresh Gmail and open an email.

Q: I didn't check the permissions box during signup. What do I do?

  • A: Go back to https://app.drumkit.ai/signup, sign in with your Google account, and make sure to check the box permitting Drumkit to access your Gmail account when prompted.

Q: The Chrome extension installed but Drumkit still doesn't show up.

  • A: Make sure you are logged into Drumkit at https://app.drumkit.ai/login using the same Google account as your Gmail. Then refresh Gmail and try opening an email again.

Q: The Drumkit panel opens but doesn't load.

  • A: Ensure you have an active internet connection — Drumkit requires a network connection to run. If the issue persists, try refreshing Gmail or signing out and back in.

Q: I get an error about permissions or my account.

  • A: Confirm your company has an active Drumkit subscription and that your account has been provisioned. Contact your team lead or Drumkit support if you're unsure.

Getting Help

If you run into an issue not covered here, reach out through the following channels:

  • Internal Support: Contact your team lead or IT administrator

  • Drumkit Support: support@drumkit.ai

For updates or corrections, please submit a request by reaching out to support@drumkit.ai.