diff --git a/cortex/tools/__init__.py b/cortex/tools/__init__.py
index 65469cc..d612d37 100644
--- a/cortex/tools/__init__.py
+++ b/cortex/tools/__init__.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ from tools.scratch import (
 from tools.system import cortex_restart as _cortex_restart, cortex_logs as _cortex_logs
 from tools.web import http_fetch as _http_fetch
 from tools.files import file_list as _file_list, file_write as _file_write
-from tools.notify import nc_talk_send as _nc_talk_send
+from tools.notify import nc_talk_send as _nc_talk_send, email_send as _email_send
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ _CALLABLES: dict[str, callable] = {
     "cortex_restart": _cortex_restart,
     "cortex_logs": _cortex_logs,
     "http_fetch": _http_fetch,
+    "email_send":   _email_send,
     "nc_talk_send": _nc_talk_send,
     "task_list": _task_list,
     "task_create": _task_create,
@@ -755,6 +756,24 @@ _file_write_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
     ),
 )
 
+_email_send_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
+    name="email_send",
+    description=(
+        "Send an email from the server's configured SMTP account. Use for delivering "
+        "summaries, reports, reminders, or any content the user wants emailed. "
+        "body is plain text; newlines are preserved."
+    ),
+    parameters=types.Schema(
+        type=types.Type.OBJECT,
+        properties={
+            "to":      types.Schema(type=types.Type.STRING, description="Recipient email address"),
+            "subject": types.Schema(type=types.Type.STRING, description="Email subject line"),
+            "body":    types.Schema(type=types.Type.STRING, description="Plain-text email body"),
+        },
+        required=["to", "subject", "body"],
+    ),
+)
+
 _nc_talk_send_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
     name="nc_talk_send",
     description=(
@@ -791,6 +810,8 @@ TOOL_ROLES: dict[str, str] = {
     "file_list":        "admin",
     "file_write":       "admin",
     "ae_task_list":     "admin",  # reads agents_sync kanban
+    "email_send":       "admin",  # sends from server SMTP account
+    "nc_talk_send":     "admin",
 }
 
 # Tools that require explicit user confirmation before executing.
@@ -831,6 +852,7 @@ _ALL_DECLARATIONS: list[types.FunctionDeclaration] = [
     _cortex_restart_declaration,
     _cortex_logs_declaration,
     _http_fetch_declaration,
+    _email_send_declaration,
     _nc_talk_send_declaration,
     _task_list_declaration,
     _task_create_declaration,
diff --git a/cortex/tools/notify.py b/cortex/tools/notify.py
index fdc2c14..779844f 100644
--- a/cortex/tools/notify.py
+++ b/cortex/tools/notify.py
@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@
 Notification tools — proactively send messages to user channels.
 
 nc_talk_send routes through notification.py → channels.json.
-Requires notification_channel and notification_room set in the user's channels.json.
+email_send uses the server SMTP config from .env (smtp_server, smtp_from_*).
 """
 
+import asyncio
 import logging
 
 from persona import get_user
@@ -12,6 +13,21 @@ from persona import get_user
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+async def email_send(to: str, subject: str, body: str) -> str:
+    """Send an email via the server's configured SMTP account."""
+    from email_utils import send_email
+    ok = await asyncio.to_thread(
+        send_email,
+        to_email=to,
+        subject=subject,
+        body_text=body,
+        body_html=body.replace("\n", "<br>"),
+    )
+    if ok:
+        return f"Email sent to {to}."
+    return "Failed to send email — check SMTP configuration in .env."
+
+
 async def nc_talk_send(message: str) -> str:
     """Send a message to the user via their configured notification channel.