How can I ensure users enter their SMTP settings during authentication?

Proactive IMAP Configuration Validation with options=smtp_required

One of the most common pain points in email integrations is discovering missing SMTP configuration only after users attempt to send their first email. This reactive approach leads to poor user experience and increased support burden. Nylas now provides a proactive solution through the options=smtp_required parameter.

The Problem: Reactive SMTP Validation

Traditionally, IMAP authentication validates only incoming mail settings (IMAP host/port), while SMTP configuration for outgoing mail remains unchecked until the first send attempt. This creates a gap where grants appear valid but lack essential sending capabilities, resulting in errors like:

'grant is missing imap username or password or smtphost or smtpport, unable to fetch connection details'

The Solution: Mandatory SMTP Configuration

The options=smtp_required parameter transforms IMAP authentication from reactive to proactive by requiring complete email configuration upfront.

Implementation

Add the parameter to your hosted authentication URL:

US Region:

https://api.us.nylas.com/v3/connect/auth?client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID&redirect_uri=YOUR_REDIRECT_URI&response_type=code&provider=imap&options=smtp_required

EU Region:

https://api.eu.nylas.com/v3/connect/auth?client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID&redirect_uri=YOUR_REDIRECT_URI&response_type=code&provider=imap&options=smtp_required