6. Reference

6.1 Command line options

Running mutt with no arguments will make Mutt attempt to read your spool mailbox. However, it is possible to read other mailboxes and to send messages from the command line as well.

-a      attach a file to a message
-c      specify a carbon-copy (Cc) address
-e      specify a config command to be run after initilization files are read
-F      specify an alternate file to read initialization commands
-f      specify a mailbox to load
-h      print help on command line options
-H      specify a draft file from which to read a header and body
-i      specify a file to include in a message composition
-n      do not read the system Muttrc
-m      specify a default mailbox type
-p      recall a postponed message
-R      open mailbox in read-only mode
-s      specify a subject (enclose in quotes if it contains spaces)
-v      show version number and compile-time definitions
-x      simulate the mailx(1) compose mode
-y      show a menu containing the files specified by the mailboxes command
-z      exit immediately if there are no messages in the mailbox
-Z      open the first folder with new message,exit immediately if none

To read messages in a mailbox

mutt [ -nz ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -m type ] [ -f mailbox ]

To compose a new message

mutt [ -n ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -a file ] [ -c address ] [ -i filename ] [ -s subject ] address [ address ... ]

Mutt also supports a ``batch'' mode to send prepared messages. Simply redirect input from the file you wish to send. For example,

mutt -s "data set for run #2" professor@bigschool.edu < ~/run2.dat

This command will send a message to ``professor@bigschool.edu'' with a subject of ``data set for run #2''. In the body of the message will be the contents of the file ``~/run2.dat''.

6.2 Configuration Commands

The following are the commands understood by mutt.

• account-hook pattern command
• alias key address [ , address, ... ]
• unalias [ * | key ... ]
• alternative_order mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• append-hook regexp "command"
• auto_view mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• bind map key function
• charset-hook alias charset
• close-hook regexp "command"
• color object foreground background [ regexp ]
• uncolor index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• exec function [ function ... ]
• fcc-hook pattern mailbox
• fcc-save-hook pattern mailbox
• folder-hook pattern command
• hdr_order header [ header ... ]
• unhdr_order header [ header ... ]
• iconv-hook charset local-charset
• ignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• unignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• lists address [ address ... ]
• unlists address [ address ... ]
• macro menu key sequence [ description ]
• mailboxes filename [ filename ... ]
• mbox-hook pattern mailbox
• message-hook pattern command
• mono object attribute [ regexp ]
• unmono index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• my_hdr string
• unmy_hdr field [ field ... ]
• open-hook regexp "command"
• pgp-hook pattern key-id
• push string
• reset variable [variable ... ]
• save-hook regexp filename
• score pattern value
• unscore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• send-hook regexp command
• set [no|inv]variable[=value] [ variable ... ]
• unset variable [variable ... ]
• source filename
• subscribe address [ address ... ]
• unsubscribe address [ address ... ]
• toggle variable [variable ... ]
• unhook hook-type

6.3 Configuration variables

abort_nosubject

Type: quadoption
Default: ask-yes

If set to yes, when composing messages and no subject is given at the subject prompt, composition will be aborted. If set to no, composing messages with no subject given at the subject prompt will never be aborted.

abort_unmodified

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

If set to yes, composition will automatically abort after editing the message body if no changes are made to the file (this check only happens after the first edit of the file). When set to no, composition will never be aborted.

alias_file

Type: path
Default: "~/.muttrc"

The default file in which to save aliases created by the `` create-alias'' function.

Note: Mutt will not automatically source this file; you must explicitly use the `` source'' command for it to be executed.

alias_format

Type: string
Default: "%4n %2f %t %-10a %r"

Specifies the format of the data displayed for the `alias' menu. The following printf(3)-style sequences are available:

%a

alias name

%f

flags - currently, a "d" for an alias marked for deletion

%n

index number

%r

address which alias expands to

%t

character which indicates if the alias is tagged for inclusion

allow_8bit

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Controls whether 8-bit data is converted to 7-bit using either Quoted- Printable or Base64 encoding when sending mail.

allow_ansi

Type: boolean
Default: no

Controls whether ANSI color codes in messages (and color tags in rich text messages) are to be interpreted. Messages containing these codes are rare, but if this option is set, their text will be colored accordingly. Note that this may override your color choices, and even present a security problem, since a message could include a line like "[-- PGP output follows ..." and give it the same color as your attachment color.

alternates

Type: regular expression
Default: ""

A regexp that allows you to specify alternate addresses where you receive mail. This affects Mutt's idea about messages from you and addressed to you.

arrow_cursor

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, an arrow (``->'') will be used to indicate the current entry in menus instead of hiliting the whole line. On slow network or modem links this will make response faster because there is less that has to be redrawn on the screen when moving to the next or previous entries in the menu.

ascii_chars

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will use plain ASCII characters when displaying thread and attachment trees, instead of the default ACS characters.

askbcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for blind-carbon-copy (Bcc) recipients before editing an outgoing message.

askcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for carbon-copy (Cc) recipients before editing the body of an outgoing message.

attach_format

Type: string
Default: "%u%D%I %t%4n %T%.40d%> [%.7m/%.10M, %.6e%?C?, %C?, %s] "

This variable describes the format of the `attachment' menu. The following printf-style sequences are understood:

%D

deleted flag

%d

description

%e

MIME content-transfer-encoding

%f

filename

%I

disposition (I=inline, A=attachment)

%m

major MIME type

%M

MIME subtype

%n

attachment number

%s

size

%t

tagged flag

%u

unlink (=to delete) flag

%>X

right justify the rest of the string and pad with character "X"

%|X

pad to the end of the line with character "X"

attach_sep

Type: string
Default: "\n"

The separator to add between attachments when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments.

attach_split

Type: boolean
Default: yes

If this variable is unset, when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments, Mutt will concatenate the attachments and will operate on them as a single attachment. The `` $attach_sep'' separator is added after each attachment. When set, Mutt will operate on the attachments one by one.

attribution

Type: string
Default: "On %d, %n wrote:"

This is the string that will precede a message which has been included in a reply. For a full listing of defined escape sequences see the section on `` $index_format''.

autoedit

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set along with `` $edit_headers'', Mutt will skip the initial send-menu and allow you to immediately begin editing the body of your message. The send-menu may still be accessed once you have finished editing the body of your message.

Also see `` $fast_reply''.

auto_tag

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, functions in the index menu which affect a message will be applied to all tagged messages (if there are any). When unset, you must first use the tag-prefix function (default: ";") to make the next function apply to all tagged messages.

beep

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will beep when an error occurs.

beep_new

Type: boolean
Default: no

When this variable is set, mutt will beep whenever it prints a message notifying you of new mail. This is independent of the setting of the `` $beep'' variable.

bounce_delivered

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will include Delivered-To headers when bouncing messages. Postfix users may wish to unset this variable.

charset

Type: string
Default: ""

Character set your terminal uses to display and enter textual data.

check_new

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Note: this option only affects maildir and MH style mailboxes.

When set, Mutt will check for new mail delivered while the mailbox is open. Especially with MH mailboxes, this operation can take quite some time since it involves scanning the directory and checking each file to see if it has already been looked at. If check_new is unset, no check for new mail is performed while the mailbox is open.

collapse_unread

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When unset, Mutt will not collapse a thread if it contains any unread messages.

uncollapse_jump

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, Mutt will jump to the next unread message, if any, when the current thread is uncollapsed.

compose_format

Type: string
Default: "-- Mutt: Compose [Approx. msg size: %l Atts: %a]%>-"

Controls the format of the status line displayed in the \fCompose menu. This string is similar to `` $status_format'', but has its own set of printf()-like sequences:

%a

total number of attachments

%h

local hostname

%l

approximate size (in bytes) of the current message

%v

Mutt version string

See the text describing the `` $status_format'' option for more information on how to set `` $compose_format''.

confirmappend

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when appending messages to an existing mailbox.

confirmcreate

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when saving messages to a mailbox which does not yet exist before creating it.

connect_timeout

Type: number
Default: 30

Causes Mutt to timeout a network connection (for IMAP or POP) after this many seconds if the connection is not able to be established. A negative value causes Mutt to wait indefinitely for the connection to succeed.

copy

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

This variable cpe -p recall a postponed message -R open mailbox in read-only mode -s specify a subject (enclose in quotes if it contains spaces) -v show version number and compile-time definitions -x simulate the mailx(1) compose mode -y show a menu containing the files specified by the mailboxes command -z exit immediately if there are no messages in the mailbox -Z open the first folder with new message,exit immediately if none

To read messages in a mailbox

mutt [ -nz ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -m type ] [ -f mailbox ]

To compose a new message

mutt [ -n ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -a file ] [ -c address ] [ -i filename ] [ -s subject ] address [ address ... ]

Mutt also supports a ``batch'' mode to send prepared messages. Simply redirect input from the file you wish to send. For example,

mutt -s "data set for run #2" professor@bigschool.edu < ~/run2.dat

This command will send a message to ``professor@bigschool.edu'' with a subject of ``data set for run #2''. In the body of the message will be the contents of the file ``~/run2.dat''.

6.2 Configuration Commands

The following are the commands understood by mutt.

• account-hook pattern command
• alias key address [ , address, ... ]
• unalias [ * | key ... ]
• alternative_order mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• append-hook regexp "command"
• auto_view mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• bind map key function
• charset-hook alias charset
• close-hook regexp "command"
• color object foreground background [ regexp ]
• uncolor index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• exec function [ function ... ]
• fcc-hook pattern mailbox
• fcc-save-hook pattern mailbox
• folder-hook pattern command
• hdr_order header [ header ... ]
• unhdr_order header [ header ... ]
• iconv-hook charset local-charset
• ignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• unignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• lists address [ address ... ]
• unlists address [ address ... ]
• macro menu key sequence [ description ]
• mailboxes filename [ filename ... ]
• mbox-hook pattern mailbox
• message-hook pattern command
• mono object attribute [ regexp ]
• unmono index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• my_hdr string
• unmy_hdr field [ field ... ]
• open-hook regexp "command"
• pgp-hook pattern key-id
• push string
• reset variable [variable ... ]
• save-hook regexp filename
• score pattern value
• unscore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• send-hook regexp command
• set [no|inv]variable[=value] [ variable ... ]
• unset variable [variable ... ]
• source filename
• subscribe address [ address ... ]
• unsubscribe address [ address ... ]
• toggle variable [variable ... ]
• unhook hook-type

6.3 Configuration variables

abort_nosubject

Type: quadoption
Default: ask-yes

If set to yes, when composing messages and no subject is given at the subject prompt, composition will be aborted. If set to no, composing messages with no subject given at the subject prompt will never be aborted.

abort_unmodified

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

If set to yes, composition will automatically abort after editing the message body if no changes are made to the file (this check only happens after the first edit of the file). When set to no, composition will never be aborted.

alias_file

Type: path
Default: "~/.muttrc"

The default file in which to save aliases created by the `` create-alias'' function.

Note: Mutt will not automatically source this file; you must explicitly use the `` source'' command for it to be executed.

alias_format

Type: string
Default: "%4n %2f %t %-10a %r"

Specifies the format of the data displayed for the `alias' menu. The following printf(3)-style sequences are available:

%a

alias name

%f

flags - currently, a "d" for an alias marked for deletion

%n

index number

%r

address which alias expands to

%t

character which indicates if the alias is tagged for inclusion

allow_8bit

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Controls whether 8-bit data is converted to 7-bit using either Quoted- Printable or Base64 encoding when sending mail.

allow_ansi

Type: boolean
Default: no

Controls whether ANSI color codes in messages (and color tags in rich text messages) are to be interpreted. Messages containing these codes are rare, but if this option is set, their text will be colored accordingly. Note that this may override your color choices, and even present a security problem, since a message could include a line like "[-- PGP output follows ..." and give it the same color as your attachment color.

alternates

Type: regular expression
Default: ""

A regexp that allows you to specify alternate addresses where you receive mail. This affects Mutt's idea about messages from you and addressed to you.

arrow_cursor

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, an arrow (``->'') will be used to indicate the current entry in menus instead of hiliting the whole line. On slow network or modem links this will make response faster because there is less that has to be redrawn on the screen when moving to the next or previous entries in the menu.

ascii_chars

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will use plain ASCII characters when displaying thread and attachment trees, instead of the default ACS characters.

askbcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for blind-carbon-copy (Bcc) recipients before editing an outgoing message.

askcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for carbon-copy (Cc) recipients before editing the body of an outgoing message.

attach_format

Type: string
Default: "%u%D%I %t%4n %T%.40d%> [%.7m/%.10M, %.6e%?C?, %C?, %s] "

This variable describes the format of the `attachment' menu. The following printf-style sequences are understood:

%D

deleted flag

%d

description

%e

MIME content-transfer-encoding

%f

filename

%I

disposition (I=inline, A=attachment)

%m

major MIME type

%M

MIME subtype

%n

attachment number

%s

size

%t

tagged flag

%u

unlink (=to delete) flag

%>X

right justify the rest of the string and pad with character "X"

%|X

pad to the end of the line with character "X"

attach_sep

Type: string
Default: "\n"

The separator to add between attachments when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments.

attach_split

Type: boolean
Default: yes

If this variable is unset, when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments, Mutt will concatenate the attachments and will operate on them as a single attachment. The `` $attach_sep'' separator is added after each attachment. When set, Mutt will operate on the attachments one by one.

attribution

Type: string
Default: "On %d, %n wrote:"

This is the string that will precede a message which has been included in a reply. For a full listing of defined escape sequences see the section on `` $index_format''.

autoedit

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set along with `` $edit_headers'', Mutt will skip the initial send-menu and allow you to immediately begin editing the body of your message. The send-menu may still be accessed once you have finished editing the body of your message.

Also see `` $fast_reply''.

auto_tag

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, functions in the index menu which affect a message will be applied to all tagged messages (if there are any). When unset, you must first use the tag-prefix function (default: ";") to make the next function apply to all tagged messages.

beep

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will beep when an error occurs.

beep_new

Type: boolean
Default: no

When this variable is set, mutt will beep whenever it prints a message notifying you of new mail. This is independent of the setting of the `` $beep'' variable.

bounce_delivered

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will include Delivered-To headers when bouncing messages. Postfix users may wish to unset this variable.

charset

Type: string
Default: ""

Character set your terminal uses to display and enter textual data.

check_new

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Note: this option only affects maildir and MH style mailboxes.

When set, Mutt will check for new mail delivered while the mailbox is open. Especially with MH mailboxes, this operation can take quite some time since it involves scanning the directory and checking each file to see if it has already been looked at. If check_new is unset, no check for new mail is performed while the mailbox is open.

collapse_unread

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When unset, Mutt will not collapse a thread if it contains any unread messages.

uncollapse_jump

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, Mutt will jump to the next unread message, if any, when the current thread is uncollapsed.

compose_format

Type: string
Default: "-- Mutt: Compose [Approx. msg size: %l Atts: %a]%>-"

Controls the format of the status line displayed in the \fCompose menu. This string is similar to `` $status_format'', but has its own set of printf()-like sequences:

%a

total number of attachments

%h

local hostname

%l

approximate size (in bytes) of the current message

%v

Mutt version string

See the text describing the `` $status_format'' option for more information on how to set `` $compose_format''.

confirmappend

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when appending messages to an existing mailbox.

confirmcreate

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when saving messages to a mailbox which does not yet exist before creating it.

connect_timeout

Type: number
Default: 30

Causes Mutt to timeout a network connection (for IMAP or POP) after this many seconds if the connection is not able to be established. A negative value causes Mutt to wait indefinitely for the connection to succeed.

copy

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

This variable cpe -p recall a postponed message -R open mailbox in read-only mode -s specify a subject (enclose in quotes if it contains spaces) -v show version number and compile-time definitions -x simulate the mailx(1) compose mode -y show a menu containing the files specified by the mailboxes command -z exit immediately if there are no messages in the mailbox -Z open the first folder with new message,exit immediately if none

To read messages in a mailbox

mutt [ -nz ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -m type ] [ -f mailbox ]

To compose a new message

mutt [ -n ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -a file ] [ -c address ] [ -i filename ] [ -s subject ] address [ address ... ]

Mutt also supports a ``batch'' mode to send prepared messages. Simply redirect input from the file you wish to send. For example,

mutt -s "data set for run #2" professor@bigschool.edu < ~/run2.dat

This command will send a message to ``professor@bigschool.edu'' with a subject of ``data set for run #2''. In the body of the message will be the contents of the file ``~/run2.dat''.

6.2 Configuration Commands

The following are the commands understood by mutt.

• account-hook pattern command
• alias key address [ , address, ... ]
• unalias [ * | key ... ]
• alternative_order mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• append-hook regexp "command"
• auto_view mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• bind map key function
• charset-hook alias charset
• close-hook regexp "command"
• color object foreground background [ regexp ]
• uncolor index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• exec function [ function ... ]
• fcc-hook pattern mailbox
• fcc-save-hook pattern mailbox
• folder-hook pattern command
• hdr_order header [ header ... ]
• unhdr_order header [ header ... ]
• iconv-hook charset local-charset
• ignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• unignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• lists address [ address ... ]
• unlists address [ address ... ]
• macro menu key sequence [ description ]
• mailboxes filename [ filename ... ]
• mbox-hook pattern mailbox
• message-hook pattern command
• mono object attribute [ regexp ]
• unmono index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• my_hdr string
• unmy_hdr field [ field ... ]
• open-hook regexp "command"
• pgp-hook pattern key-id
• push string
• reset variable [variable ... ]
• save-hook regexp filename
• score pattern value
• unscore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• send-hook regexp command
• set [no|inv]variable[=value] [ variable ... ]
• unset variable [variable ... ]
• source filename
• subscribe address [ address ... ]
• unsubscribe address [ address ... ]
• toggle variable [variable ... ]
• unhook hook-type

6.3 Configuration variables

abort_nosubject

Type: quadoption
Default: ask-yes

If set to yes, when composing messages and no subject is given at the subject prompt, composition will be aborted. If set to no, composing messages with no subject given at the subject prompt will never be aborted.

abort_unmodified

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

If set to yes, composition will automatically abort after editing the message body if no changes are made to the file (this check only happens after the first edit of the file). When set to no, composition will never be aborted.

alias_file

Type: path
Default: "~/.muttrc"

The default file in which to save aliases created by the `` create-alias'' function.

Note: Mutt will not automatically source this file; you must explicitly use the `` source'' command for it to be executed.

alias_format

Type: string
Default: "%4n %2f %t %-10a %r"

Specifies the format of the data displayed for the `alias' menu. The following printf(3)-style sequences are available:

%a

alias name

%f

flags - currently, a "d" for an alias marked for deletion

%n

index number

%r

address which alias expands to

%t

character which indicates if the alias is tagged for inclusion

allow_8bit

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Controls whether 8-bit data is converted to 7-bit using either Quoted- Printable or Base64 encoding when sending mail.

allow_ansi

Type: boolean
Default: no

Controls whether ANSI color codes in messages (and color tags in rich text messages) are to be interpreted. Messages containing these codes are rare, but if this option is set, their text will be colored accordingly. Note that this may override your color choices, and even present a security problem, since a message could include a line like "[-- PGP output follows ..." and give it the same color as your attachment color.

alternates

Type: regular expression
Default: ""

A regexp that allows you to specify alternate addresses where you receive mail. This affects Mutt's idea about messages from you and addressed to you.

arrow_cursor

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, an arrow (``->'') will be used to indicate the current entry in menus instead of hiliting the whole line. On slow network or modem links this will make response faster because there is less that has to be redrawn on the screen when moving to the next or previous entries in the menu.

ascii_chars

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will use plain ASCII characters when displaying thread and attachment trees, instead of the default ACS characters.

askbcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for blind-carbon-copy (Bcc) recipients before editing an outgoing message.

askcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for carbon-copy (Cc) recipients before editing the body of an outgoing message.

attach_format

Type: string
Default: "%u%D%I %t%4n %T%.40d%> [%.7m/%.10M, %.6e%?C?, %C?, %s] "

This variable describes the format of the `attachment' menu. The following printf-style sequences are understood:

%D

deleted flag

%d

description

%e

MIME content-transfer-encoding

%f

filename

%I

disposition (I=inline, A=attachment)

%m

major MIME type

%M

MIME subtype

%n

attachment number

%s

size

%t

tagged flag

%u

unlink (=to delete) flag

%>X

right justify the rest of the string and pad with character "X"

%|X

pad to the end of the line with character "X"

attach_sep

Type: string
Default: "\n"

The separator to add between attachments when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments.

attach_split

Type: boolean
Default: yes

If this variable is unset, when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments, Mutt will concatenate the attachments and will operate on them as a single attachment. The `` $attach_sep'' separator is added after each attachment. When set, Mutt will operate on the attachments one by one.

attribution

Type: string
Default: "On %d, %n wrote:"

This is the string that will precede a message which has been included in a reply. For a full listing of defined escape sequences see the section on `` $index_format''.

autoedit

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set along with `` $edit_headers'', Mutt will skip the initial send-menu and allow you to immediately begin editing the body of your message. The send-menu may still be accessed once you have finished editing the body of your message.

Also see `` $fast_reply''.

auto_tag

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, functions in the index menu which affect a message will be applied to all tagged messages (if there are any). When unset, you must first use the tag-prefix function (default: ";") to make the next function apply to all tagged messages.

beep

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will beep when an error occurs.

beep_new

Type: boolean
Default: no

When this variable is set, mutt will beep whenever it prints a message notifying you of new mail. This is independent of the setting of the `` $beep'' variable.

bounce_delivered

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will include Delivered-To headers when bouncing messages. Postfix users may wish to unset this variable.

charset

Type: string
Default: ""

Character set your terminal uses to display and enter textual data.

check_new

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Note: this option only affects maildir and MH style mailboxes.

When set, Mutt will check for new mail delivered while the mailbox is open. Especially with MH mailboxes, this operation can take quite some time since it involves scanning the directory and checking each file to see if it has already been looked at. If check_new is unset, no check for new mail is performed while the mailbox is open.

collapse_unread

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When unset, Mutt will not collapse a thread if it contains any unread messages.

uncollapse_jump

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, Mutt will jump to the next unread message, if any, when the current thread is uncollapsed.

compose_format

Type: string
Default: "-- Mutt: Compose [Approx. msg size: %l Atts: %a]%>-"

Controls the format of the status line displayed in the \fCompose menu. This string is similar to `` $status_format'', but has its own set of printf()-like sequences:

%a

total number of attachments

%h

local hostname

%l

approximate size (in bytes) of the current message

%v

Mutt version string

See the text describing the `` $status_format'' option for more information on how to set `` $compose_format''.

confirmappend

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when appending messages to an existing mailbox.

confirmcreate

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when saving messages to a mailbox which does not yet exist before creating it.

connect_timeout

Type: number
Default: 30

Causes Mutt to timeout a network connection (for IMAP or POP) after this many seconds if the connection is not able to be established. A negative value causes Mutt to wait indefinitely for the connection to succeed.

copy

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

This variable cpe -p recall a postponed message -R open mailbox in read-only mode -s specify a subject (enclose in quotes if it contains spaces) -v show version number and compile-time definitions -x simulate the mailx(1) compose mode -y show a menu containing the files specified by the mailboxes command -z exit immediately if there are no messages in the mailbox -Z open the first folder with new message,exit immediately if none

To read messages in a mailbox

mutt [ -nz ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -m type ] [ -f mailbox ]

To compose a new message

mutt [ -n ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -a file ] [ -c address ] [ -i filename ] [ -s subject ] address [ address ... ]

Mutt also supports a ``batch'' mode to send prepared messages. Simply redirect input from the file you wish to send. For example,

mutt -s "data set for run #2" professor@bigschool.edu < ~/run2.dat

This command will send a message to ``professor@bigschool.edu'' with a subject of ``data set for run #2''. In the body of the message will be the contents of the file ``~/run2.dat''.

6.2 Configuration Commands

The following are the commands understood by mutt.

• account-hook pattern command
• alias key address [ , address, ... ]
• unalias [ * | key ... ]
• alternative_order mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• append-hook regexp "command"
• auto_view mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• bind map key function
• charset-hook alias charset
• close-hook regexp "command"
• color object foreground background [ regexp ]
• uncolor index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• exec function [ function ... ]
• fcc-hook pattern mailbox
• fcc-save-hook pattern mailbox
• folder-hook pattern command
• hdr_order header [ header ... ]
• unhdr_order header [ header ... ]
• iconv-hook charset local-charset
• ignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• unignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• lists address [ address ... ]
• unlists address [ address ... ]
• macro menu key sequence [ description ]
• mailboxes filename [ filename ... ]
• mbox-hook pattern mailbox
• message-hook pattern command
• mono object attribute [ regexp ]
• unmono index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• my_hdr string
• unmy_hdr field [ field ... ]
• open-hook regexp "command"
• pgp-hook pattern key-id
• push string
• reset variable [variable ... ]
• save-hook regexp filename
• score pattern value
• unscore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• send-hook regexp command
• set [no|inv]variable[=value] [ variable ... ]
• unset variable [variable ... ]
• source filename
• subscribe address [ address ... ]
• unsubscribe address [ address ... ]
• toggle variable [variable ... ]
• unhook hook-type

6.3 Configuration variables

abort_nosubject

Type: quadoption
Default: ask-yes

If set to yes, when composing messages and no subject is given at the subject prompt, composition will be aborted. If set to no, composing messages with no subject given at the subject prompt will never be aborted.

abort_unmodified

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

If set to yes, composition will automatically abort after editing the message body if no changes are made to the file (this check only happens after the first edit of the file). When set to no, composition will never be aborted.

alias_file

Type: path
Default: "~/.muttrc"

The default file in which to save aliases created by the `` create-alias'' function.

Note: Mutt will not automatically source this file; you must explicitly use the `` source'' command for it to be executed.

alias_format

Type: string
Default: "%4n %2f %t %-10a %r"

Specifies the format of the data displayed for the `alias' menu. The following printf(3)-style sequences are available:

%a

alias name

%f

flags - currently, a "d" for an alias marked for deletion

%n

index number

%r

address which alias expands to

%t

character which indicates if the alias is tagged for inclusion

allow_8bit

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Controls whether 8-bit data is converted to 7-bit using either Quoted- Printable or Base64 encoding when sending mail.

allow_ansi

Type: boolean
Default: no

Controls whether ANSI color codes in messages (and color tags in rich text messages) are to be interpreted. Messages containing these codes are rare, but if this option is set, their text will be colored accordingly. Note that this may override your color choices, and even present a security problem, since a message could include a line like "[-- PGP output follows ..." and give it the same color as your attachment color.

alternates

Type: regular expression
Default: ""

A regexp that allows you to specify alternate addresses where you receive mail. This affects Mutt's idea about messages from you and addressed to you.

arrow_cursor

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, an arrow (``->'') will be used to indicate the current entry in menus instead of hiliting the whole line. On slow network or modem links this will make response faster because there is less that has to be redrawn on the screen when moving to the next or previous entries in the menu.

ascii_chars

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will use plain ASCII characters when displaying thread and attachment trees, instead of the default ACS characters.

askbcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for blind-carbon-copy (Bcc) recipients before editing an outgoing message.

askcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for carbon-copy (Cc) recipients before editing the body of an outgoing message.

attach_format

Type: string
Default: "%u%D%I %t%4n %T%.40d%> [%.7m/%.10M, %.6e%?C?, %C?, %s] "

This variable describes the format of the `attachment' menu. The following printf-style sequences are understood:

%D

deleted flag

%d

description

%e

MIME content-transfer-encoding

%f

filename

%I

disposition (I=inline, A=attachment)

%m

major MIME type

%M

MIME subtype

%n

attachment number

%s

size

%t

tagged flag

%u

unlink (=to delete) flag

%>X

right justify the rest of the string and pad with character "X"

%|X

pad to the end of the line with character "X"

attach_sep

Type: string
Default: "\n"

The separator to add between attachments when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments.

attach_split

Type: boolean
Default: yes

If this variable is unset, when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments, Mutt will concatenate the attachments and will operate on them as a single attachment. The `` $attach_sep'' separator is added after each attachment. When set, Mutt will operate on the attachments one by one.

attribution

Type: string
Default: "On %d, %n wrote:"

This is the string that will precede a message which has been included in a reply. For a full listing of defined escape sequences see the section on `` $index_format''.

autoedit

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set along with `` $edit_headers'', Mutt will skip the initial send-menu and allow you to immediately begin editing the body of your message. The send-menu may still be accessed once you have finished editing the body of your message.

Also see `` $fast_reply''.

auto_tag

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, functions in the index menu which affect a message will be applied to all tagged messages (if there are any). When unset, you must first use the tag-prefix function (default: ";") to make the next function apply to all tagged messages.

beep

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will beep when an error occurs.

beep_new

Type: boolean
Default: no

When this variable is set, mutt will beep whenever it prints a message notifying you of new mail. This is independent of the setting of the `` $beep'' variable.

bounce_delivered

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will include Delivered-To headers when bouncing messages. Postfix users may wish to unset this variable.

charset

Type: string
Default: ""

Character set your terminal uses to display and enter textual data.

check_new

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Note: this option only affects maildir and MH style mailboxes.

When set, Mutt will check for new mail delivered while the mailbox is open. Especially with MH mailboxes, this operation can take quite some time since it involves scanning the directory and checking each file to see if it has already been looked at. If check_new is unset, no check for new mail is performed while the mailbox is open.

collapse_unread

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When unset, Mutt will not collapse a thread if it contains any unread messages.

uncollapse_jump

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, Mutt will jump to the next unread message, if any, when the current thread is uncollapsed.

compose_format

Type: string
Default: "-- Mutt: Compose [Approx. msg size: %l Atts: %a]%>-"

Controls the format of the status line displayed in the \fCompose menu. This string is similar to `` $status_format'', but has its own set of printf()-like sequences:

%a

total number of attachments

%h

local hostname

%l

approximate size (in bytes) of the current message

%v

Mutt version string

See the text describing the `` $status_format'' option for more information on how to set `` $compose_format''.

confirmappend

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when appending messages to an existing mailbox.

confirmcreate

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when saving messages to a mailbox which does not yet exist before creating it.

connect_timeout

Type: number
Default: 30

Causes Mutt to timeout a network connection (for IMAP or POP) after this many seconds if the connection is not able to be established. A negative value causes Mutt to wait indefinitely for the connection to succeed.

copy

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

This variable cpe -p recall a postponed message -R open mailbox in read-only mode -s specify a subject (enclose in quotes if it contains spaces) -v show version number and compile-time definitions -x simulate the mailx(1) compose mode -y show a menu containing the files specified by the mailboxes command -z exit immediately if there are no messages in the mailbox -Z open the first folder with new message,exit immediately if none

To read messages in a mailbox

mutt [ -nz ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -m type ] [ -f mailbox ]

To compose a new message

mutt [ -n ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -a file ] [ -c address ] [ -i filename ] [ -s subject ] address [ address ... ]

Mutt also supports a ``batch'' mode to send prepared messages. Simply redirect input from the file you wish to send. For example,

mutt -s "data set for run #2" professor@bigschool.edu < ~/run2.dat

This command will send a message to ``professor@bigschool.edu'' with a subject of ``data set for run #2''. In the body of the message will be the contents of the file ``~/run2.dat''.

6.2 Configuration Commands

The following are the commands understood by mutt.

• account-hook pattern command
• alias key address [ , address, ... ]
• unalias [ * | key ... ]
• alternative_order mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• append-hook regexp "command"
• auto_view mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• bind map key function
• charset-hook alias charset
• close-hook regexp "command"
• color object foreground background [ regexp ]
• uncolor index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• exec function [ function ... ]
• fcc-hook pattern mailbox
• fcc-save-hook pattern mailbox
• folder-hook pattern command
• hdr_order header [ header ... ]
• unhdr_order header [ header ... ]
• iconv-hook charset local-charset
• ignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• unignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• lists address [ address ... ]
• unlists address [ address ... ]
• macro menu key sequence [ description ]
• mailboxes filename [ filename ... ]
• mbox-hook pattern mailbox
• message-hook pattern command
• mono object attribute [ regexp ]
• unmono index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• my_hdr string
• unmy_hdr field [ field ... ]
• open-hook regexp "command"
• pgp-hook pattern key-id
• push string
• reset variable [variable ... ]
• save-hook regexp filename
• score pattern value
• unscore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• send-hook regexp command
• set [no|inv]variable[=value] [ variable ... ]
• unset variable [variable ... ]
• source filename
• subscribe address [ address ... ]
• unsubscribe address [ address ... ]
• toggle variable [variable ... ]
• unhook hook-type

6.3 Configuration variables

abort_nosubject

Type: quadoption
Default: ask-yes

If set to yes, when composing messages and no subject is given at the subject prompt, composition will be aborted. If set to no, composing messages with no subject given at the subject prompt will never be aborted.

abort_unmodified

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

If set to yes, composition will automatically abort after editing the message body if no changes are made to the file (this check only happens after the first edit of the file). When set to no, composition will never be aborted.

alias_file

Type: path
Default: "~/.muttrc"

The default file in which to save aliases created by the `` create-alias'' function.

Note: Mutt will not automatically source this file; you must explicitly use the `` source'' command for it to be executed.

alias_format

Type: string
Default: "%4n %2f %t %-10a %r"

Specifies the format of the data displayed for the `alias' menu. The following printf(3)-style sequences are available:

%a

alias name

%f

flags - currently, a "d" for an alias marked for deletion

%n

index number

%r

address which alias expands to

%t

character which indicates if the alias is tagged for inclusion

allow_8bit

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Controls whether 8-bit data is converted to 7-bit using either Quoted- Printable or Base64 encoding when sending mail.

allow_ansi

Type: boolean
Default: no

Controls whether ANSI color codes in messages (and color tags in rich text messages) are to be interpreted. Messages containing these codes are rare, but if this option is set, their text will be colored accordingly. Note that this may override your color choices, and even present a security problem, since a message could include a line like "[-- PGP output follows ..." and give it the same color as your attachment color.

alternates

Type: regular expression
Default: ""

A regexp that allows you to specify alternate addresses where you receive mail. This affects Mutt's idea about messages from you and addressed to you.

arrow_cursor

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, an arrow (``->'') will be used to indicate the current entry in menus instead of hiliting the whole line. On slow network or modem links this will make response faster because there is less that has to be redrawn on the screen when moving to the next or previous entries in the menu.

ascii_chars

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will use plain ASCII characters when displaying thread and attachment trees, instead of the default ACS characters.

askbcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for blind-carbon-copy (Bcc) recipients before editing an outgoing message.

askcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for carbon-copy (Cc) recipients before editing the body of an outgoing message.

attach_format

Type: string
Default: "%u%D%I %t%4n %T%.40d%> [%.7m/%.10M, %.6e%?C?, %C?, %s] "

This variable describes the format of the `attachment' menu. The following printf-style sequences are understood:

%D

deleted flag

%d

description

%e

MIME content-transfer-encoding

%f

filename

%I

disposition (I=inline, A=attachment)

%m

major MIME type

%M

MIME subtype

%n

attachment number

%s

size

%t

tagged flag

%u

unlink (=to delete) flag

%>X

right justify the rest of the string and pad with character "X"

%|X

pad to the end of the line with character "X"

attach_sep

Type: string
Default: "\n"

The separator to add between attachments when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments.

attach_split

Type: boolean
Default: yes

If this variable is unset, when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments, Mutt will concatenate the attachments and will operate on them as a single attachment. The `` $attach_sep'' separator is added after each attachment. When set, Mutt will operate on the attachments one by one.

attribution

Type: string
Default: "On %d, %n wrote:"

This is the string that will precede a message which has been included in a reply. For a full listing of defined escape sequences see the section on `` $index_format''.

autoedit

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set along with `` $edit_headers'', Mutt will skip the initial send-menu and allow you to immediately begin editing the body of your message. The send-menu may still be accessed once you have finished editing the body of your message.

Also see `` $fast_reply''.

auto_tag

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, functions in the index menu which affect a message will be applied to all tagged messages (if there are any). When unset, you must first use the tag-prefix function (default: ";") to make the next function apply to all tagged messages.

beep

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will beep when an error occurs.

beep_new

Type: boolean
Default: no

When this variable is set, mutt will beep whenever it prints a message notifying you of new mail. This is independent of the setting of the `` $beep'' variable.

bounce_delivered

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will include Delivered-To headers when bouncing messages. Postfix users may wish to unset this variable.

charset

Type: string
Default: ""

Character set your terminal uses to display and enter textual data.

check_new

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Note: this option only affects maildir and MH style mailboxes.

When set, Mutt will check for new mail delivered while the mailbox is open. Especially with MH mailboxes, this operation can take quite some time since it involves scanning the directory and checking each file to see if it has already been looked at. If check_new is unset, no check for new mail is performed while the mailbox is open.

collapse_unread

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When unset, Mutt will not collapse a thread if it contains any unread messages.

uncollapse_jump

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, Mutt will jump to the next unread message, if any, when the current thread is uncollapsed.

compose_format

Type: string
Default: "-- Mutt: Compose [Approx. msg size: %l Atts: %a]%>-"

Controls the format of the status line displayed in the \fCompose menu. This string is similar to `` $status_format'', but has its own set of printf()-like sequences:

%a

total number of attachments

%h

local hostname

%l

approximate size (in bytes) of the current message

%v

Mutt version string

See the text describing the `` $status_format'' option for more information on how to set `` $compose_format''.

confirmappend

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when appending messages to an existing mailbox.

confirmcreate

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when saving messages to a mailbox which does not yet exist before creating it.

connect_timeout

Type: number
Default: 30

Causes Mutt to timeout a network connection (for IMAP or POP) after this many seconds if the connection is not able to be established. A negative value causes Mutt to wait indefinitely for the connection to succeed.

copy

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

This variable cpe -p recall a postponed message -R open mailbox in read-only mode -s specify a subject (enclose in quotes if it contains spaces) -v show version number and compile-time definitions -x simulate the mailx(1) compose mode -y show a menu containing the files specified by the mailboxes command -z exit immediately if there are no messages in the mailbox -Z open the first folder with new message,exit immediately if none

To read messages in a mailbox

mutt [ -nz ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -m type ] [ -f mailbox ]

To compose a new message

mutt [ -n ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -a file ] [ -c address ] [ -i filename ] [ -s subject ] address [ address ... ]

Mutt also supports a ``batch'' mode to send prepared messages. Simply redirect input from the file you wish to send. For example,

mutt -s "data set for run #2" professor@bigschool.edu < ~/run2.dat

This command will send a message to ``professor@bigschool.edu'' with a subject of ``data set for run #2''. In the body of the message will be the contents of the file ``~/run2.dat''.

6.2 Configuration Commands

The following are the commands understood by mutt.

• account-hook pattern command
• alias key address [ , address, ... ]
• unalias [ * | key ... ]
• alternative_order mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• append-hook regexp "command"
• auto_view mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• bind map key function
• charset-hook alias charset
• close-hook regexp "command"
• color object foreground background [ regexp ]
• uncolor index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• exec function [ function ... ]
• fcc-hook pattern mailbox
• fcc-save-hook pattern mailbox
• folder-hook pattern command
• hdr_order header [ header ... ]
• unhdr_order header [ header ... ]
• iconv-hook charset local-charset
• ignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• unignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• lists address [ address ... ]
• unlists address [ address ... ]
• macro menu key sequence [ description ]
• mailboxes filename [ filename ... ]
• mbox-hook pattern mailbox
• message-hook pattern command
• mono object attribute [ regexp ]
• unmono index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• my_hdr string
• unmy_hdr field [ field ... ]
• open-hook regexp "command"
• pgp-hook pattern key-id
• push string
• reset variable [variable ... ]
• save-hook regexp filename
• score pattern value
• unscore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• send-hook regexp command
• set [no|inv]variable[=value] [ variable ... ]
• unset variable [variable ... ]
• source filename
• subscribe address [ address ... ]
• unsubscribe address [ address ... ]
• toggle variable [variable ... ]
• unhook hook-type

6.3 Configuration variables

abort_nosubject

Type: quadoption
Default: ask-yes

If set to yes, when composing messages and no subject is given at the subject prompt, composition will be aborted. If set to no, composing messages with no subject given at the subject prompt will never be aborted.

abort_unmodified

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

If set to yes, composition will automatically abort after editing the message body if no changes are made to the file (this check only happens after the first edit of the file). When set to no, composition will never be aborted.

alias_file

Type: path
Default: "~/.muttrc"

The default file in which to save aliases created by the `` create-alias'' function.

Note: Mutt will not automatically source this file; you must explicitly use the `` source'' command for it to be executed.

alias_format

Type: string
Default: "%4n %2f %t %-10a %r"

Specifies the format of the data displayed for the `alias' menu. The following printf(3)-style sequences are available:

%a

alias name

%f

flags - currently, a "d" for an alias marked for deletion

%n

index number

%r

address which alias expands to

%t

character which indicates if the alias is tagged for inclusion

allow_8bit

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Controls whether 8-bit data is converted to 7-bit using either Quoted- Printable or Base64 encoding when sending mail.

allow_ansi

Type: boolean
Default: no

Controls whether ANSI color codes in messages (and color tags in rich text messages) are to be interpreted. Messages containing these codes are rare, but if this option is set, their text will be colored accordingly. Note that this may override your color choices, and even present a security problem, since a message could include a line like "[-- PGP output follows ..." and give it the same color as your attachment color.

alternates

Type: regular expression
Default: ""

A regexp that allows you to specify alternate addresses where you receive mail. This affects Mutt's idea about messages from you and addressed to you.

arrow_cursor

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, an arrow (``->'') will be used to indicate the current entry in menus instead of hiliting the whole line. On slow network or modem links this will make response faster because there is less that has to be redrawn on the screen when moving to the next or previous entries in the menu.

ascii_chars

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will use plain ASCII characters when displaying thread and attachment trees, instead of the default ACS characters.

askbcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for blind-carbon-copy (Bcc) recipients before editing an outgoing message.

askcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for carbon-copy (Cc) recipients before editing the body of an outgoing message.

attach_format

Type: string
Default: "%u%D%I %t%4n %T%.40d%> [%.7m/%.10M, %.6e%?C?, %C?, %s] "

This variable describes the format of the `attachment' menu. The following printf-style sequences are understood:

%D

deleted flag

%d

description

%e

MIME content-transfer-encoding

%f

filename

%I

disposition (I=inline, A=attachment)

%m

major MIME type

%M

MIME subtype

%n

attachment number

%s

size

%t

tagged flag

%u

unlink (=to delete) flag

%>X

right justify the rest of the string and pad with character "X"

%|X

pad to the end of the line with character "X"

attach_sep

Type: string
Default: "\n"

The separator to add between attachments when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments.

attach_split

Type: boolean
Default: yes

If this variable is unset, when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments, Mutt will concatenate the attachments and will operate on them as a single attachment. The `` $attach_sep'' separator is added after each attachment. When set, Mutt will operate on the attachments one by one.

attribution

Type: string
Default: "On %d, %n wrote:"

This is the string that will precede a message which has been included in a reply. For a full listing of defined escape sequences see the section on `` $index_format''.

autoedit

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set along with `` $edit_headers'', Mutt will skip the initial send-menu and allow you to immediately begin editing the body of your message. The send-menu may still be accessed once you have finished editing the body of your message.

Also see `` $fast_reply''.

auto_tag

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, functions in the index menu which affect a message will be applied to all tagged messages (if there are any). When unset, you must first use the tag-prefix function (default: ";") to make the next function apply to all tagged messages.

beep

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will beep when an error occurs.

beep_new

Type: boolean
Default: no

When this variable is set, mutt will beep whenever it prints a message notifying you of new mail. This is independent of the setting of the `` $beep'' variable.

bounce_delivered

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will include Delivered-To headers when bouncing messages. Postfix users may wish to unset this variable.

charset

Type: string
Default: ""

Character set your terminal uses to display and enter textual data.

check_new

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Note: this option only affects maildir and MH style mailboxes.

When set, Mutt will check for new mail delivered while the mailbox is open. Especially with MH mailboxes, this operation can take quite some time since it involves scanning the directory and checking each file to see if it has already been looked at. If check_new is unset, no check for new mail is performed while the mailbox is open.

collapse_unread

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When unset, Mutt will not collapse a thread if it contains any unread messages.

uncollapse_jump

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, Mutt will jump to the next unread message, if any, when the current thread is uncollapsed.

compose_format

Type: string
Default: "-- Mutt: Compose [Approx. msg size: %l Atts: %a]%>-"

Controls the format of the status line displayed in the \fCompose menu. This string is similar to `` $status_format'', but has its own set of printf()-like sequences:

%a

total number of attachments

%h

local hostname

%l

approximate size (in bytes) of the current message

%v

Mutt version string

See the text describing the `` $status_format'' option for more information on how to set `` $compose_format''.

confirmappend

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when appending messages to an existing mailbox.

confirmcreate

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when saving messages to a mailbox which does not yet exist before creating it.

connect_timeout

Type: number
Default: 30

Causes Mutt to timeout a network connection (for IMAP or POP) after this many seconds if the connection is not able to be established. A negative value causes Mutt to wait indefinitely for the connection to succeed.

copy

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

This variable cpe -p recall a postponed message -R open mailbox in read-only mode -s specify a subject (enclose in quotes if it contains spaces) -v show version number and compile-time definitions -x simulate the mailx(1) compose mode -y show a menu containing the files specified by the mailboxes command -z exit immediately if there are no messages in the mailbox -Z open the first folder with new message,exit immediately if none

To read messages in a mailbox

mutt [ -nz ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -m type ] [ -f mailbox ]

To compose a new message

mutt [ -n ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -a file ] [ -c address ] [ -i filename ] [ -s subject ] address [ address ... ]

Mutt also supports a ``batch'' mode to send prepared messages. Simply redirect input from the file you wish to send. For example,

mutt -s "data set for run #2" professor@bigschool.edu < ~/run2.dat

This command will send a message to ``professor@bigschool.edu'' with a subject of ``data set for run #2''. In the body of the message will be the contents of the file ``~/run2.dat''.

6.2 Configuration Commands

The following are the commands understood by mutt.

• account-hook pattern command
• alias key address [ , address, ... ]
• unalias [ * | key ... ]
• alternative_order mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• append-hook regexp "command"
• auto_view mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• bind map key function
• charset-hook alias charset
• close-hook regexp "command"
• color object foreground background [ regexp ]
• uncolor index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• exec function [ function ... ]
• fcc-hook pattern mailbox
• fcc-save-hook pattern mailbox
• folder-hook pattern command
• hdr_order header [ header ... ]
• unhdr_order header [ header ... ]
• iconv-hook charset local-charset
• ignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• unignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• lists address [ address ... ]
• unlists address [ address ... ]
• macro menu key sequence [ description ]
• mailboxes filename [ filename ... ]
• mbox-hook pattern mailbox
• message-hook pattern command
• mono object attribute [ regexp ]
• unmono index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• my_hdr string
• unmy_hdr field [ field ... ]
• open-hook regexp "command"
• pgp-hook pattern key-id
• push string
• reset variable [variable ... ]
• save-hook regexp filename
• score pattern value
• unscore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• send-hook regexp command
• set [no|inv]variable[=value] [ variable ... ]
• unset variable [variable ... ]
• source filename
• subscribe address [ address ... ]
• unsubscribe address [ address ... ]
• toggle variable [variable ... ]
• unhook hook-type

6.3 Configuration variables

abort_nosubject

Type: quadoption
Default: ask-yes

If set to yes, when composing messages and no subject is given at the subject prompt, composition will be aborted. If set to no, composing messages with no subject given at the subject prompt will never be aborted.

abort_unmodified

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

If set to yes, composition will automatically abort after editing the message body if no changes are made to the file (this check only happens after the first edit of the file). When set to no, composition will never be aborted.

alias_file

Type: path
Default: "~/.muttrc"

The default file in which to save aliases created by the `` create-alias'' function.

Note: Mutt will not automatically source this file; you must explicitly use the `` source'' command for it to be executed.

alias_format

Type: string
Default: "%4n %2f %t %-10a %r"

Specifies the format of the data displayed for the `alias' menu. The following printf(3)-style sequences are available:

%a

alias name

%f

flags - currently, a "d" for an alias marked for deletion

%n

index number

%r

address which alias expands to

%t

character which indicates if the alias is tagged for inclusion

allow_8bit

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Controls whether 8-bit data is converted to 7-bit using either Quoted- Printable or Base64 encoding when sending mail.

allow_ansi

Type: boolean
Default: no

Controls whether ANSI color codes in messages (and color tags in rich text messages) are to be interpreted. Messages containing these codes are rare, but if this option is set, their text will be colored accordingly. Note that this may override your color choices, and even present a security problem, since a message could include a line like "[-- PGP output follows ..." and give it the same color as your attachment color.

alternates

Type: regular expression
Default: ""

A regexp that allows you to specify alternate addresses where you receive mail. This affects Mutt's idea about messages from you and addressed to you.

arrow_cursor

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, an arrow (``->'') will be used to indicate the current entry in menus instead of hiliting the whole line. On slow network or modem links this will make response faster because there is less that has to be redrawn on the screen when moving to the next or previous entries in the menu.

ascii_chars

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will use plain ASCII characters when displaying thread and attachment trees, instead of the default ACS characters.

askbcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for blind-carbon-copy (Bcc) recipients before editing an outgoing message.

askcc

Type: boolean
Default: no

If set, Mutt will prompt you for carbon-copy (Cc) recipients before editing the body of an outgoing message.

attach_format

Type: string
Default: "%u%D%I %t%4n %T%.40d%> [%.7m/%.10M, %.6e%?C?, %C?, %s] "

This variable describes the format of the `attachment' menu. The following printf-style sequences are understood:

%D

deleted flag

%d

description

%e

MIME content-transfer-encoding

%f

filename

%I

disposition (I=inline, A=attachment)

%m

major MIME type

%M

MIME subtype

%n

attachment number

%s

size

%t

tagged flag

%u

unlink (=to delete) flag

%>X

right justify the rest of the string and pad with character "X"

%|X

pad to the end of the line with character "X"

attach_sep

Type: string
Default: "\n"

The separator to add between attachments when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments.

attach_split

Type: boolean
Default: yes

If this variable is unset, when operating (saving, printing, piping, etc) on a list of tagged attachments, Mutt will concatenate the attachments and will operate on them as a single attachment. The `` $attach_sep'' separator is added after each attachment. When set, Mutt will operate on the attachments one by one.

attribution

Type: string
Default: "On %d, %n wrote:"

This is the string that will precede a message which has been included in a reply. For a full listing of defined escape sequences see the section on `` $index_format''.

autoedit

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set along with `` $edit_headers'', Mutt will skip the initial send-menu and allow you to immediately begin editing the body of your message. The send-menu may still be accessed once you have finished editing the body of your message.

Also see `` $fast_reply''.

auto_tag

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, functions in the index menu which affect a message will be applied to all tagged messages (if there are any). When unset, you must first use the tag-prefix function (default: ";") to make the next function apply to all tagged messages.

beep

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will beep when an error occurs.

beep_new

Type: boolean
Default: no

When this variable is set, mutt will beep whenever it prints a message notifying you of new mail. This is independent of the setting of the `` $beep'' variable.

bounce_delivered

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When this variable is set, mutt will include Delivered-To headers when bouncing messages. Postfix users may wish to unset this variable.

charset

Type: string
Default: ""

Character set your terminal uses to display and enter textual data.

check_new

Type: boolean
Default: yes

Note: this option only affects maildir and MH style mailboxes.

When set, Mutt will check for new mail delivered while the mailbox is open. Especially with MH mailboxes, this operation can take quite some time since it involves scanning the directory and checking each file to see if it has already been looked at. If check_new is unset, no check for new mail is performed while the mailbox is open.

collapse_unread

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When unset, Mutt will not collapse a thread if it contains any unread messages.

uncollapse_jump

Type: boolean
Default: no

When set, Mutt will jump to the next unread message, if any, when the current thread is uncollapsed.

compose_format

Type: string
Default: "-- Mutt: Compose [Approx. msg size: %l Atts: %a]%>-"

Controls the format of the status line displayed in the \fCompose menu. This string is similar to `` $status_format'', but has its own set of printf()-like sequences:

%a

total number of attachments

%h

local hostname

%l

approximate size (in bytes) of the current message

%v

Mutt version string

See the text describing the `` $status_format'' option for more information on how to set `` $compose_format''.

confirmappend

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when appending messages to an existing mailbox.

confirmcreate

Type: boolean
Default: yes

When set, Mutt will prompt for confirmation when saving messages to a mailbox which does not yet exist before creating it.

connect_timeout

Type: number
Default: 30

Causes Mutt to timeout a network connection (for IMAP or POP) after this many seconds if the connection is not able to be established. A negative value causes Mutt to wait indefinitely for the connection to succeed.

copy

Type: quadoption
Default: yes

This variable cpe -p recall a postponed message -R open mailbox in read-only mode -s specify a subject (enclose in quotes if it contains spaces) -v show version number and compile-time definitions -x simulate the mailx(1) compose mode -y show a menu containing the files specified by the mailboxes command -z exit immediately if there are no messages in the mailbox -Z open the first folder with new message,exit immediately if none

To read messages in a mailbox

mutt [ -nz ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -m type ] [ -f mailbox ]

To compose a new message

mutt [ -n ] [ -F muttrc ] [ -a file ] [ -c address ] [ -i filename ] [ -s subject ] address [ address ... ]

Mutt also supports a ``batch'' mode to send prepared messages. Simply redirect input from the file you wish to send. For example,

mutt -s "data set for run #2" professor@bigschool.edu < ~/run2.dat

This command will send a message to ``professor@bigschool.edu'' with a subject of ``data set for run #2''. In the body of the message will be the contents of the file ``~/run2.dat''.

6.2 Configuration Commands

The following are the commands understood by mutt.

• account-hook pattern command
• alias key address [ , address, ... ]
• unalias [ * | key ... ]
• alternative_order mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• append-hook regexp "command"
• auto_view mimetype [ mimetype ... ]
• bind map key function
• charset-hook alias charset
• close-hook regexp "command"
• color object foreground background [ regexp ]
• uncolor index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• exec function [ function ... ]
• fcc-hook pattern mailbox
• fcc-save-hook pattern mailbox
• folder-hook pattern command
• hdr_order header [ header ... ]
• unhdr_order header [ header ... ]
• iconv-hook charset local-charset
• ignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• unignore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• lists address [ address ... ]
• unlists address [ address ... ]
• macro menu key sequence [ description ]
• mailboxes filename [ filename ... ]
• mbox-hook pattern mailbox
• message-hook pattern command
• mono object attribute [ regexp ]
• unmono index pattern [ pattern ... ]
• my_hdr string
• unmy_hdr field [ field ... ]
• open-hook regexp "command"
• pgp-hook pattern key-id
• push string
• reset variable [variable ... ]
• save-hook regexp filename
• score pattern value
• unscore pattern [ pattern ... ]
• send-hook regexp command
• set [no|inv]variable[=value] [ variable ... ]
• unset variable [variable ... ]