mutt(1)
mutt is a text-based email client for reading, composing, and managing email from the command line.
Synopsis
mutt [OPTION]... [FILE]...Description
mutt is a small but powerful text-based MIME email client. It supports POP3, IMAP, and local mailboxes, with features for composing messages, viewing attachments, and managing mail folders. mutt is highly configurable and scriptable, making it ideal for power users and system administrators who prefer terminal-based workflows.
When invoked without arguments, mutt opens your default mailbox. You can specify a mailbox file or folder to open directly, or use flags to compose new messages, check mail, or run in batch mode.
Common options
| Flag | What it does |
|---|---|
-f mailbox | Open the specified mailbox instead of the default inbox |
-F muttrc | Read configuration from alternate muttrc file instead of ~/.muttrc |
-s subject | Specify the subject line when composing a new message |
-c address | Specify a carbon copy (Cc) recipient for a new message |
-b address | Specify a blind carbon copy (Bcc) recipient for a new message |
-a file | Attach a file to the composed message |
-H draft | Include file as draft when composing a message |
-e command | Execute a mutt command after startup |
-m type | Specify mailbox type (mbox, IMAP, POP3, etc.) |
-n | Don't read the system or user configuration files on startup |
-x | Expand aliases from the alias file |
-y | Start in folder browser mode instead of opening a mailbox |
Examples
Start mutt and open your default mailbox (typically INBOX)
muttOpen the Archive folder (= expands to your mail directory)
mutt -f =ArchiveCompose a new message with subject line to specified recipient
mutt -s 'Test Subject' [email protected]Send a message with an attachment using stdin as body text
mutt -s 'Report' -a report.pdf [email protected] < message.txtConnect to a Gmail IMAP account
mutt -f imaps://imap.gmail.com:993 -u usernameStart in folder browser mode to browse all available mailboxes
mutt -yLoad configuration from an alternate muttrc file
mutt -F /tmp/custom.muttrcSend an automated email from a script or cron job
echo 'Message body' | mutt -s 'Automated Alert' [email protected]