Set up Gmail SMTP server for Ghost

Ghost requires a website to configure mail in production. Unless so, it fails to send out emails when you add editors / collaborators to your ghost dashboard. Although there are many SMTP server options such as mailgun, I chose Gmail as ghost website’s SMTP server because it is free. I bet those who are reading this article think the same!

TO-DOs

1. Edit config.production.json
2. Configure Gmail SMTP server

Edit config.production.json

You will need to add your mail config like this. As to the port number, enter 465 if you are using SSL. Enter 587 if you are using TLS. Set your email to mail.options.auth.user. Finally, set your app password that is provided by your gmail to mail.options.auth.pass. (we will get to this in the 2nd step)

  "mail": {
    "transport": "SMTP",
    "options": {
        "service": "Gmail",
        "host": "smtp.gmail.com",
        "port": 465,
        "secure": true,
        "auth": {
            "user": "yours@gmail.com",
            "pass": "your app password XXXXX"
        }
    }
  },

Configure Gmail SMTP server

Refer to this article. It has pictures and is easy to follow!

1. Enable Two-Step Authentication In Gmail
2. Create App Password In Gmail

If you obtain the app password, set the password to mail.options.auth.pass.

Thanks for reading.

Hope you enjoyed the article. If you have any question or opinion to share, feel free to write some comments.