Gmail alias setup

Route a specific email alias from your Gmail inbox to Commslayer while keeping your other aliases in Gmail.

Time required: 15-20 minutes

When you need this#

This setup is for you if:

• You have a Gmail or Google Workspace inbox with multiple aliases (e.g., support@, info@, sales@yourstore.com)
• You want only ONE alias (like support@yourstore.com) to go to Commslayer
• Your other aliases should stay in Gmail as usual

Not what you need?

• Email aliases, several addresses and "Email has already been taken" →
• Two brands in one Gmail mailbox. Follow this guide once per brand address. Each address gets its own Commslayer inbox and its own Gmail filter, and each filter forwards to that inbox's forwarding address. A brand on a different domain also needs its own DNS records.

Before you start#

You'll need:

• A Gmail or Google Workspace account with aliases configured
• Access to your domain's DNS settings
• An email address on your domain (like support@yourstore.com) with a mailbox you can forward from — not a free @gmail.com address

Step 1: Create your inbox in Commslayer#

1. Go to Settings → Inboxes and click Add inbox
2. Select Email
3. Choose Standard setup (the recommended option)
4. Enter your alias email address (e.g., support@yourstore.com)
5. Give your inbox a name (e.g., "Support")
6. Click Create inbox

Step 2: Add DNS records#

The DKIM and Return-Path records are the same as any Gmail inbox. Follow the main guide, then come back here.

Standard email setup for Gmail / Google Workspace →

Step 3: Set up Gmail forwarding#

First, add Commslayer as a forwarding address:

1. Open Gmail and click the gear icon → See all settings
2. Go to Forwarding and POP/IMAP
3. Click Add a forwarding address
4. Paste the forwarding address from Commslayer
5. Click Next, then Proceed
6. Important: Google sends a confirmation email to Commslayer. Open your Commslayer inbox, find the email from Google, and click the confirmation link. Forwarding won't work until you do this.
7. Keep forwarding set to Disable forwarding — we'll use a filter instead

Step 4: Create a filter for your alias#

This filter ensures only emails to your support alias go to Commslayer. Your other aliases stay in Gmail.

1. In Gmail, click the search options dropdown (arrow in search bar)
2. In the To field, enter your alias (e.g., support@yourstore.com)
3. Click Create filter
4. Check Forward it to and select your Commslayer forwarding address
5. Optionally check Skip the Inbox if you don't want these emails in Gmail too
6. Click Create filter

Step 5: Test your setup#

Send a test email to your alias from a different email account. It should appear in your Commslayer inbox.

Emails to your other aliases will continue arriving in Gmail as usual.

Common issues#

Forwarding not working#

Check your Commslayer inbox for the Google confirmation email — you must click the link before forwarding activates.

If you can't find the confirmation email, look in the AI agent and Spam views in the sidebar. More checks in Email troubleshooting.

Emails to other aliases also going to Commslayer#

Check your filter - make sure the To field has only your support alias, not your main Gmail address.

Can't find the filter option#

Go to Gmail Settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses → Create a new filter

Need help?#

Contact support from the chat inside the app. It's the chat bubble in the bottom right corner.