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bounce-handling

Classify SMTP bounce codes and normalize provider webhook payloads.

2|Updated Mar 30, 2026
Search Tags:#email deliverability#sender reputation#suppression lists#email webhooks#email bounces#SMTP codes#bounce retry
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/chunkydotdev/email-skills --skill bounce-handling
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: bounce-handling
Source: https://github.com/chunkydotdev/email-skills/tree/main/skills/operations/bounce-handling
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/chunkydotdev/email-skills --skill bounce-handling

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

High email bounce rates damage sender reputation, trigger provider throttling or permanent blocks, and waste resources sending to invalid or unreachable addresses. This Skill provides expert, production-grade guidance to correctly classify, handle, and prevent bounces to maintain consistent email deliverability.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • SMTP Bounce Code Classification: Accurately distinguish between hard (permanent) and soft (temporary) bounces using RFC 3463 enhanced status codes to apply the correct handling rules.
  • Retry & Suppression Logic: Implement escalating retry schedules for soft bounces and automated suppression rules with appropriate expiry timelines to avoid wasted sends.
  • Provider Webhook Normalization: Parse and standardize bounce event payloads from Amazon SES, Postmark, Resend, and SendGrid into a consistent internal format for reliable processing.
  • Monitoring & Compliance: Track bounce rate thresholds aligned with 2025 Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook bulk sender requirements, with auto-pause safety nets to prevent reputation damage.
  • Use Case: If your bounce rate spiked after a recent list import, use this Skill to classify the bounce types, set up automated suppression rules for invalid addresses, and configure retry logic for temporarily unreachable mailboxes to recover deliverability.

Quick Start

Use the bounce-handling skill to classify the recent bounce events from your SES webhook, set up 90-day expiring suppressions for soft bounces, and configure alerts for bounce rates exceeding 2%.

Frequently Asked Questions about bounce-handling

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I handle email bounces using SMTP status codes to protect sender reputation?▼

Handle email bounces by classifying SMTP status codes into hard and soft bounces using RFC 3463, then applying automated suppression rules and escalating retry schedules to protect sender reputation and eliminate wasted sends.

What is the difference between a hard and soft email bounce for suppression list management?▼

A hard bounce is a permanent failure requiring immediate suppression, while a soft bounce is temporary. Suppression list management applies automated rules with appropriate expiry timelines, such as 90-day expiring suppressions for soft bounces.

How do I normalize email bounce webhooks from Amazon SES, Postmark, and SendGrid?▼

Normalize email bounce webhooks by parsing and standardizing event payloads from Amazon SES, Postmark, Resend, and SendGrid into a consistent internal format for reliable processing and uniform suppression rule enforcement.

What bounce rate thresholds trigger Gmail and Yahoo bulk sender compliance blocks in 2025?▼

Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook 2025 bulk sender policies require keeping bounce rates low, typically under 2%. Monitoring these thresholds with auto-pause safety nets prevents provider throttling and permanent sender reputation damage.

How do I configure retry logic for soft email bounces?▼

Configure soft bounce retry logic by implementing escalating retry schedules for temporarily unreachable mailboxes. This ensures addresses are re-attempted appropriately without wasting sends or triggering provider throttling.

Can I use this bounce handling approach for both transactional and marketing email systems?▼

Yes, this bounce handling approach applies to both transactional and marketing email systems, processing webhook events and enforcing suppression rules to maintain consistent deliverability across all outbound email streams.

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