Getting started with Kerna takes less time than reading this article. Here is the complete setup process.
Step 1: Install from Google Workspace Marketplace
Visit the Google Workspace Marketplace and search for "Kerna." Click Install and authorize the add-on. Kerna requests two permissions: reading the current email thread (so it can summarize and draft replies) and composing in the current window (so it can insert drafts).
That is it. No desktop software. No browser extension. No API keys. Kerna runs natively inside Gmail.
Step 2: Open Any Email
Navigate to any email in your Gmail inbox. In the right sidebar, you will see the Kerna icon. Click it to open the add-on panel.
Step 3: Choose Your First Action
The panel presents six core actions:
- Summarize — Get a structured brief of the entire thread
- Reply — Generate a context-aware response
- Translate — Convert the email to your preferred language
- Compose — Create a new email from keywords
- Extract — Pull dates, tasks, and data from the thread
- Rewrite — Polish your draft for tone and grammar
Click any button and watch the result appear in seconds.
Step 4: Set Your Preferences
Open the Kerna settings to configure:
- Language — Your preferred output language (45 options)
- Tone — Professional, Friendly, Direct, or Custom
- Model — GPT-4 (free) or GPT-5 (paid plans)
These preferences apply to every action automatically, so you set them once and forget.
Step 5: Explore Your Plan
The free Starter plan includes 15,000 tokens — enough to try every feature multiple times. When you are ready for more, upgrade to Standard (100K tokens), Pro (500K tokens), or Business (2M tokens with team sharing).
Tips for Power Users
Thread summaries first — Start every inbox session by summarizing your longest threads. Triage in minutes, not hours.
Compose from notes — After meetings, paste your rough notes into Compose. Let Kerna turn them into structured follow-up emails.
Translate before replying — For international threads, translate first to understand context, then draft your reply in the recipient's language.
Welcome to Kerna. Your inbox will never feel the same.