Gmail quick reply templates for "got it" emails
Gmail's Smart Reply will offer "Thanks, got it" in one tap, and that's often the problem: the sender still doesn't know what happens next. A useful acknowledgement says three things in two lines: you've seen it, what you'll do, and when you'll come back. This template does that, and Retext fills in the date two days out so you never promise "Thursday" on a Friday.
;gm-ack;gm-ack in any app.Variations
The same message for a different channel or tone. Copy the one that fits.
For a colleague or a thread where a full email would be overkill.
When the email is an FYI and you want the sender to know it's closed, not ignored.
When to use it
- Someone sends you a request that will take a day or two, and silence would make them chase you.
- A client or manager sends documents and wants to know they arrived.
- You're triaging a busy inbox and want to clear acknowledgements fast.
What to avoid
- Don't promise a date you can't hit. If the work takes a week, change the date field to {date+7} in your copy.
- Don't acknowledge every CC'd email in a thread. Reply once, to the person who asked.
- Skip it when the real answer takes less than two minutes. Just send the answer.
The fields in this template
Retext fills these in when the snippet expands. In plain text they become [brackets] to replace by hand.
- Name
{fill:Name} - The sender's first name, as they signed off.
- Next step
{fill:Next step} - What you'll actually do, in a few words: "review the contract", "check with finance", "test the fix".
- Date in 2 days
{date+2} - Inserts the date 2 days from today, worked out when the snippet expands. Useful for deadlines and return dates.
- Cursor
{cursor} - Where your cursor lands after the snippet expands, so you can start typing the personal part straight away.
Tips
- •Smart Reply offers its suggestions as buttons under the email. This snippet goes in the reply box itself, so you can click Reply and type ;gm-ack in one motion.
- •Star or snooze the email right after you send this. Snoozing it until the {date+2} date gives you a reminder that matches what you promised.
- •The trigger works in Gmail in any browser on your Mac, so the acknowledgement reads the same in Chrome, Safari or Arc.
Works in Gmail, Google Chat, Slack and every other app
Retext types the snippet wherever your cursor is. To use a different version in one app, give it the same trigger and limit it to that app with per-app snippets. They go by app, not website, so every tab in your browser counts as one app.
Questions
How do I send a quick reply in Gmail?
Open the email, click Reply, and either tap a Smart Reply suggestion or type your own. With Retext, type ;gm-ack in the reply box and the full acknowledgement expands, asking you for the name and next step.
Is "Thanks, got it" rude?
Not rude, but it leaves the sender guessing. Adding what you'll do and when you'll come back turns it into a reply that stops follow-up emails.
Can the date update itself?
Yes. {date+2} becomes the date two days from the moment you type the trigger, written in your Mac's date format.
Related templates
Gentle nudge
;gm-nudgeGmail
Hi [Name], Bumping this up in case it got buried. The one thing I need is [The ask]. If [Deadline] doesn't work any more…
Follow-up email
;em-followupEmail & out of office
Hi [Name], Following up on [Topic]. To keep things moving, I need [What you need] by [Deadline]. If it's easier, a one-l…
Ticket received
;cs-got-itCustomer support
Hi [Customer name], Thanks for getting in touch. I've got your message about [Topic] and I'm looking into it now. I'll g…
Type ;gm-ack, get the whole reply
Retext expands your snippets in every Mac app and fills in names, dates and order numbers for you.
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