Nova now lives in your inbox, allowing you to interact with UpKeep using natural language, without logging in or navigating the app. By emailing or cc'ing Nova on an email thread, you can prompt it to take action on your behalf using the context of the conversation.
Watch how our product manager, Spencer, creates an urgent work order right from his phone during his lunch break.
Creating a work order is just one example. The real power is being able to delegate work, trigger actions, and keep things moving directly from email—especially when you’re away from your computer.
In this article, you’ll learn how Nova works in email and how to prompt it effectively.
What You Can Do with Nova from Email
When included on an email thread, Nova can:
Take action for you in UpKeep like creating work orders
Use the email context to identify the issue
Assign the work order to a specific technician
Link the work order to the correct asset and location (when identifiable)
Notify relevant stakeholders automatically
All of this happens without you needing to open the UpKeep app.
How to Use Nova from Email
Step 1: Open the Email About the Issue
When you receive an email about a maintenance issue, open the thread as you normally would.
Example:
“The paper guillotine on the cutting floor isn’t running.”
Step 2: Reply and CC Nova
Reply to the email and CC [email protected]. You can also CC your technician or any other stakeholders you want included.
Step 3: Tell Nova What to Do
In the body of the email, clearly state what you want Nova to do.
Example:
“Nova, can you please create a work order for the issue here and assign it to McMurphy?”
Be conversational—Nova understands natural language.
Step 4: Send the Email
Once sent, Nova will review the entire email thread to gather context about:
The problem
The asset
The location
The urgency
No additional steps required.
What Happens Next
Nova creates the work order automatically
The work order is assigned to the specified technician
The correct asset and location are applied when available
You’ll receive a confirmation email from UpKeep once the work order is created
The technician will see the work order immediately in UpKeep and can take action
A Couple Quick Things to Note
Nova will only reply directly to you. Nova does not support “Reply All” yet, so others on the email thread will not receive Nova’s responses.
Your email address must match an UpKeep account. Nova will not accept or process emails sent from addresses that aren’t associated with an UpKeep user. Make sure you’re emailing from the address tied to your UpKeep account.
Best Practices
Common Use Cases
Handling urgent issues while away from your computer
Delegating admin work so technicians can focus on repairs
Creating work orders directly from customer or internal emails
Responding quickly without switching tools
Summary
Nova brings UpKeep into your inbox, so you can take action without switching tools. By looping Nova into an email, you can prompt it to handle work on your behalf using the context already in the thread—saving time, reducing friction, and keeping things moving.
Creating a work order is just one example. The bigger value is having Nova available wherever work already happens.
(Yes, even during lunch.)