Send mail using Node.js with nodemailer in 2 mins

Step-to-step tutorial

Basics:

• nodejs(5.6.0), nodemailer(0.7.1)
• nodemailer is a nodejs package for sending mail.
• requires basic knowledge of Google Console, nodejs

Using the example on nodemailer official page might not going reveal the “IT JUST WORKS” moment. So here is the step-to-step tutorial that actually works.

Step 1: Add this to your package.json

"nodemailer": "^0.7.1",

Step 2: Create a client in Google Console

Google Console → API Manager → Credentials → Create credentials → OAuth client ID

Then, Choose “Web Application”, enter “https://developers.google.com/oauthplayground” in “Authorized redirect URLs”

We are going to use OAuthPlayground to retrieve related tokens and use it in our code. The clientId and clientSecret will be use later.

Step 3: Use Google OAuth 2.0 playground to get refresh_token

Here is the entry: https://developers.google.com/oauthplayground/

First go the the top-right corner where you can find a “OAuth 2.0 Configuration” button.

And change your configs like mine. Enter the clientId and clientSecret below.

On the left of the whole page: Type “https://mail.google.com/” into the scope input. And press “Authorize APIs”

And then press the “Exchange authorization code for tokens” button.

And that’s it! 🙌🏼 You’ve got “Refresh token”!

Step 4: Use clientId, clientSecret and refresh token in the code. Here’s the snippet.

// Create a Transport instance using nodemailer
var nodemailer = require('nodemailer');
sails.log.debug('try to send mail');
var smtpTransport = nodemailer.createTransport("SMTP", {
    service: "Gmail",
    auth: {
      XOAuth2: {
        user: "xxx@gmail.com", // Your gmail address.
        clientId: "YOUR_CLIENT_ID",
        clientSecret: "YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET",
        refreshToken: "REFRESH_TOKEN_YOU_JUST_FOUND"
      }
    }
  });
// Setup mail configuration
var mailOptions = {
    from: 'xxx@gmail.com', // sender address
    to: RECEIVER_EMAIL", // list of receivers
    subject: 'A_SUBJECT', // Subject line
    // text: '', // plaintext body
    html: htmlBody // html body
  };
// send mail
  smtpTransport.sendMail(mailOptions, function(error, info) {
    if (error) {
      sails.log.debug(error);
      return res.notOk({
        status: 'error',
        msg: 'Email sending failed'
      })
    } else {
      console.log('Message %s sent: %s', info.messageId, info.response);
      return res.ok({
        status: 'ok',
        msg: 'Email sent'
      })
    }
    smtpTransport.close();
  });

Optional Step: Go to Google account settings to allow “less secure apps”

https://www.google.com/settings/u/2/security/lesssecureapps

That’s it! email me or leave a comment below if you have any questions, Thanks for reading. sean@appar.com.tw

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