mail

send and receive mail


mail [-iInv] [-s "subject"] [-c cc-addr] [-b bcc-addr] to-addr… [-- sendmail-options]

mail [-iInNv] -f [filename]

mail [-iInNv] [-u user]

$MAILCHECK is the frequency with which mail is checked and if mail arrives the message You have mail in /var/mail/uname is displayed.

Reading mail

With no arguments, displays a one line header of each message found.
Command mode is entered.

The current message is initially the first message (1) and can be displayed using the type command (t).
Move among the messages with the + and - moving backwards and forwards, and simple numbers.

Sending mail

Arguments usually include -s "subject" and addresses. Type in the message followed by an ^D at the beginning of a line.

`-s`	subject Quote if subject contains spaces.
`-c`	copies: comma-separated list of names.
`-b (not -bcc)`	blind copies
`-i`	ignore tty interrupt signals
`-I`	Interactive mode when input isn't a terminal. `~` is only active in interactive mode.
`-n`	No reading `/etc/mail.rc`
`-v`	Verbose , details of delivery
`-N`	No display of message headers when reading mail or editing a mail folder.
`-f filename`	file containing mail. Undeleted messages are written to this file when quitting.
`-u user`	Access mail as another user `mail -f /var/[spool/]mail/user`

Writing or Replying to mail.

Text typed is the message.
Lines beginning with ~ are sub-commands.

Use reply to set up a response to a message.
m↵ will place a copy of the current message into a response by indenting it.(see indentprefix variable ).

Subcommands set up subject fields, add/delete recipients, allow invoking an editor to revise the message or run shell commands as described in summary .

Disposing of mail.

Deleting (d) a message is reversible using undelete (u n).
Aborting with x undeletes all messages.

Specifying messages

Commands such as print and delete can be given a list of message numbers as arguments.

Delete messages 1 and 2: delete 1 2
Deletes messages 1 through 5: delete 1-5

Using * refers to all messages,
Last message: $ Displays the first few lines: top Display the first few lines of all messages: top *

Ending a mail processing session.

Quit (q). Messages which have been examined are retained in your mbox unless they have been deleted. Unexamined messages remain at post office. (See -f ).

Personal and systemwide distribution lists.

To create a distribution lists which can be used as the to-addr include an alias addr1 addr2 … in ~/.mailrc

alias cohorts bill ozalp tony mark kridle@ucbcory

The current list of such aliases can be displayed with alias .
System wide distribution lists are defined in /etc/aliases, see aliases and sendmail.
System wide aliases are not expanded when the mail is sent, but any reply returned to the system will have the system wide alias expanded .

Network mail (ARPA, UUCP, Berknet) See mailaddr for a description of network addresses.

Options set in .~/mailrc
set askcc enables the askcc feature.

SUMMARY

(Adapted from the 'Mail Reference Manual')

Commands are typed on a line by themselves, and may take arguments
First command which matches the typed prefix is used.
For commands which take message lists as arguments, if no message list is given, then the next message forward which satisfies the command's requirements is used.
If there are no messages forward of the current message, the search proceeds backwards, and if there are no good messages at all, mail types "No applicable messages" and aborts the command.

`t [n,m, …] type print p`	types list of messages ? t Message 1: From dgerman@smackerpro.localdomain Sat Apr 1 20:05:37 2017 X-Original-To: dgerman Delivered-To: dgerman@smackerpro.localdomain To: dgerman@smackerpro.localdomain Subject: test Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2017 20:05:36 -0400 (EDT) From: dgerman@smackerpro.localdomain (Dennis German) testing
`Print P Type`	" displays the all headers. `i`gnore and `r`etain.
`-n`	display the preceeding message, with `n`, goes to the `n`^th previous
`next n`	like `+` or ␍
`dp dt`	Deletes the current message and displays the next
`Reply R`	to originator only
`reply r [n,m, …] respond`	sends mail to the sender and all recipients of the list of messages. The default message must not be deleted.
`alias [aaaaa[nnnnn[ nnnnn …]]] a`	With no arguments, displays aliases. With one argument, displays that alias. With more than one argument, creates a new alias or changes an old one.
`unalias aaaaa`	Takes a list of names defined by alias commands and discards the remembered groups of users which no longer have any significance.
`alternates alt`	useful if you have accounts on several machines. Used to inform mail that the listed addresses are really you. When you reply to messages, mail will not send a copy of the message to any of the addresses listed on the alternates list. If the alternates command is given with no argument, the current set of alternate names is displayed.
`copy c ,B\ save s`	command does the same as save , except that it does not mark the messages it is used on for deletion when you quit. Takes a message list and a filename and appends each message in turn to the end of the file. The filename in quotes, followed by the line count and character count is echoed on the user's terminal.
`delete [n,m, …]d`	Marks list of messages as deleted, which will not be saved in mbox, nor will they be available for most other commands.
`edit [n,m, …] e`	invokes text editor at each message
`folders`	List the names of the folders in your folder directory.
`folder (fo)`	The folder command switches to a new mail file or folder. With no arguments, outputs the currently ifle. Withan argument, writes out changes (such as deletions) in the current file and reads in the new file. For the name. `#` previous file, `%` system mailbox, `%user` user's system mailbox, `&` mbox file, and `+` folder means a file in your folder directory.
`fi, file`	The same as folder.
`f, from`	displays message headers.
`headers h`	Lists the current range of headers, which is an 18-message group. With `+` the next 18-message group is display, and with '-' the previous …
`hold,(ho) preserve (pre)`	Takes a message list and marks each message therein to be saved in the user's system mailbox instead of in mbox. Does not override the delete command.
`ignore`	Add the list of header fields named to the ignored list. Header fields in the ignore list are not displayed on your terminal when you displaye a message. This command is very handy for suppression of certain machine-generated header fields. The Type and Print commands can be used to display a message in its entirety, including ignored fields. If ignore is executed with no arguments, it lists the current set of ignored fields.
`m, mail`	login names and distribution group names and sends mail to those people.
`mbox`	Indicate that a list of messages be sent to mbox when you quit. This the default action for messages if you do not have the hold option set. list, types the next matching message.
`chdir (c)`	Changes the current directory, If no directory is given, then changes to the user's login directory.
`retain`	With no arguments, lists the current set of retained fields. Add the list of header fields named to the retained list Only the header fields in the retain list are shown .
`set`	With no arguments, outputs all variable values. `append asksub crt dot header interactive prompt "? " save` Otherwise, sets option. Arguments are of the form `option=value` (no spaces). Quotation marks to quote blanks or tabs, example: `"set indentprefix="->""`
`unset`	discards option name values;
`saveignore`	is to `save` what ignore is to print and type. Header fields thus marked are filtered out when saving a message by save or when automatically saving to mbox.
`saveretain`	is to `save` what retain is to print and type. Header fields thus marked are the only ones saved with a message when saving by save or when automatically saving to mbox. overrides saveignore.
`w, write`	Similar to save, except the message body (without) the header) is saved.
`size`	characters of each message.
`source f`	reads commands from `f`
`top`	outpus the top few lines of each message. The number of lines is controlled by `toplines` , default 5.
`u, undelete`	marks each message as not being deleted.
`U, unread`	marks each message as not having been read.
`v, visual`	invokes the display editor on each message.
`z`	present message headers in windowfuls as described under the headers command. Move forward to the next window with `z` . Move to the previous window using `z-`.
`!`	Executes the shell command
`shell (sh)`	Invokes an interactive version of the shell.
`quit, q`	saving all undeleted, unsaved messages in the user's mbox file, preserving all messages marked with hold or preserve or never referenced in system mailbox, and removing all other messages from system mailbox. If new mail has arrived during the session, the message "You have new mail" is given. If given while editing a mailbox file with `-f` , then the edit file is rewritten. A return is effected, unless the rewrite of edit file fails, in which case the user can escape with the exit command.
`x, ex, exit, xit`	without modifying system mailbox, his mbox file, or his edit file in -f.
`help ?`

Tilde/Escapes

Used when composing messages, are only recognized at the beginning of lines.

`~!command`	Execute the indicated shell command, then return to the message.
`~cname ...`	Add to CC
`~bname ...`	Add to BCC
`~d`	Read the file "dead.letter" from your home directory into the message.
`~e`	Invoke the text editor on the message . After the editing session is finished, continue appending text to the message.
`~fmessages`	Read the named messages into the message being sent. If no messages are specified, read in the current message. Message headers currently being ignored (by the ignore or retain command) are not included.
`~Fmessages`	As with to `~f`, except all message headers are included.
`~h`	Edit the message header fields by typing each one in turn and allowing the user to append text to the end or modify the field by using the current terminal erase and kill characters.
`~mmessages`	Read the named messages into the message being sent, indented by a tab or by the value of `indentprefix.` If no messages are specified, read the current message. Message headers currently being ignored (by the ignore or retain command) are not included.
`~Mmessages`	Identical to ~m, except all message headers are included.
`~p`	display the message collected so far, prefaced by the message header fields.
`~q`	Abort the message being sent, copying the message to "dead.letter" in your home directory if save is set.
`~rfilename`	Read the named file into the message.
`~sstring`	Cause the named string to become the current subject field.
`~tname ...`	Add the given names to the direct recipient list.
`~v`	Invoke an alternate editor (defined by the VISUAL option) on the message collected so far. Usually, the alternate editor will be a screen editor. After you quit the edi- tor, you may resume appending text to the end of your message.
`~wfilename`	Write the message onto the named file.
`~\|command`	Pipe the message through the command as a filter. If the command gives no output or terminates abnormally, retain the original text of the message. The command fmt(1) is often used as command to rejustify the message.
`~:mail-command`	Execute the given mail command. Not all commands, however, are allowed.
`~~string`	Insert the string of text in the message prefaced by a single ~. If you have changed the escape character, then you should double that character in order to send it.

Mail Options

`append`	Causes messages saved in mbox to be appended to the end rather than prepended. This should always be set (perhaps in /etc/mail.rc).
`ask, asksub`	prompt for the subject
`askcc`	prompted for additional carbon copy recipients at the end of each message.
`autoprint`	after deleting a message, the next one will be typed automatically.
`debug`
`dot`	interpret a period alone on a line as the terminator of a message
`hold`	messages in the system mailbox by default.
`ignore`	interrupt signals from terminal ignored and echoed as @'s.
`ignoreeof`	refuse to accept a control-d as the end of a message. Ignoreeof also applies to mail command mode.
`metoo`	Usually, when a group is expanded that contains the sender, the sender is removed from the expansion. Setting this option causes the sender to be included in the group.
`noheader`	`-N flag on the command line.`
`nosave`	Normally, when you abort a message with two RUBOUT (erase or delete) mail copies the partial letter to the file "dead.letter" in your home directory. Setting the binary option nosave prevents this.
`Replyall`	Reverses the sense of reply and Reply commands.
`quiet`	Suppresses the printing of the version when first invoked.
`searchheaders`	If this option is set, then a message-list specifier in the form ''/x:y'' will expand to all messages containing the substring ''y'' in the header field ''x''. The string search is case insensitive.
`verbose`	same as `-v` on the command .

Option String Values
`EDITOR eee`	for edit command and `~e` escape.
`LISTER lll`	directory lister for folders command. Default : `/bin/ls.`
`PAGER mmm`	for more command or when `crt` is set. Default : `more`
`SHELL sss`	to use in the ! command and the ~! escape. A default shell is used if this option is not defined.
`VISUAL vvvv`	text editor to use in visual command and `~v` escape.
`crt ll`	threshold be before PAGER is used to read it. Without a value, height of the screen (see stty(1)).
`escape e`	character to use instead of `~` for escape
`folder ddd`	for storing folders of messages.
`MBOX [dir/]file`	file or folder. Default : `~/mbox`
`record ffff`	Sent messages file, if not defined, outgoing mail are not saved.
`indentprefix i`	String used by the `~m` for indenting , instead of tab (`^I`). Quote the value if it contains spaces or tabs.
`toplines nn`	the number of lines of a message displayed with `top` ; Default:5.

ENVIRONMENT

HOME, USER, SHELL, DEAD, PAGER, LISTER, EDITOR, VISUAL and MBOX

FILES

`/var/spool/mail/*`	Post office.
`~/mbox`	User's old mail.
`~/.mailrc`	File giving initial mail commands. Only used if the owner of the file is the user running this copy of mail.
`/tmp/R*`	Temporary files.
`/usr/lib/mail.*help`	Help files.
`/etc/mail.rc`	System initialization file. as of 1/29/12 on slmp-.slc.westdc.net set ask askcc append dot save crt ignore Received Message-Id Resent-Message-Id Status Mail-From Return-Path Via

Verbose example

/users/real/www > mail -v -s "test from RWS" marilynn@ac.nope 
Unknown command: "fwdretain"
This message came directly from RWS, check the headers
Dennis
.
EOT
LOG: MAIN
  cwd=/users/real/public_html 4 args: /usr/sbin/sendmail -i -v marilyn@ac.nope
LOG: MAIN
  <= real@slmp-.slc.westdc.net U=real P=local S=469 T="test from RWS"
/users/rea1/www > LOG: MAIN
  cwd=/var/spool/exim 4 args: /usr/sbin/exim -v -Mc 1cuIEj-0025IW-Aw
delivering 1cuIEj-0025IW-Aw
LOG: MAIN
  SMTP connection outbound 1491050073 1cuIEj-0025IW-Aw real-world-systems.com marilyn@ac.nope
Connecting to mail.mailroute.net [199.89.1.120]:25 from 174.127.119.33 ... connected
  SMTP<< 220 in-002.lax.mailroute.net ESMTP mail.mailroute.net
  SMTP>> EHLO real-world-systems.com
  SMTP<< 250-in-002.lax.mailroute.net
         250-PIPELINING
         250-SIZE 157286400
         250-ETRN
         250-STARTTLS
         250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES
         250-8BITMIME
         250 DSN
  SMTP>> STARTTLS
  SMTP<< 220 2.0.0 Ready to start TLS
  SMTP>> EHLO real-world-systems.com
  SMTP<< 250-in-002.lax.mailroute.net
         250-PIPELINING
         250-SIZE 157286400
         250-ETRN
         250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES
         250-8BITMIME
         250 DSN
  SMTP>> MAIL FROM:<real@slmp-.slc.westdc.net> SIZE=1505
  SMTP>> RCPT TO:<marilynger@ac.nope>
  SMTP>> DATA
  SMTP<< 250 2.1.0 Ok
  SMTP<< 250 2.1.5 Ok
  SMTP<< 354 End data with <CR><LF>.<CR><LF>
  SMTP>> writing message and terminating "."
  SMTP<< 250 2.0.0 Ok: queued as 3vwHqs6t3Bz4x3X
  SMTP>> QUIT
  SMTP(close)>>
LOG: MAIN
  => marilyn@am.nope R=lookuphost T=remote_smtp H=mail.mailroute.net [199.89.1.120] 
                    X=TLSv1.2:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:256 
                    CV=yes C="250 2.0.0 Ok: queued as 3vwHqs6t3Bz4x3X"
LOG: MAIN
  Completed
+++

SEE ALSO fmt, newaliases, vacation, aliases, mailaddr, sendmail and