Mailx: The Command-Line Email Utility
Introduction
Mailx is a powerful, command-line email client used in Unix and Linux operating systems to send and receive email without the need for a graphical user interface. It is a versatile tool that allows users to manage email from their terminal, making it a popular choice for system administrators and advanced users who favor command-line utilities.
Features
- Email Sending: Send emails with attachments and support for different mail formats.
- Email Receiving: Retrieve emails from standard mail servers adhering to the POP3 or IMAP protocols.
- Threading: Organize incoming emails into threads, making it easier for users to follow conversations.
- Filtering: Filter emails using various criteria.
- Support for Shell Commands: Integrates with shell commands for enhanced functionality.
- Multiple User Accounts: Manage multiple email accounts from a single interface.
Installation
To install Mailx on a Debian-based system (like Ubuntu), run:
sudo apt-get install heirloom-mailx
For Red Hat-based systems (like CentOS), use the following command:
sudo yum install mailx
Ensure you have the necessary repositories enabled in order to install mailx successfully.
Usage
To send an email using Mailx, use the following command:
echo "Email body content" | mailx -s "Subject Here" [email protected]
This sends an email with the specified subject and body content to the recipient. Additionally, to read incoming mail, simply execute:
mailx
Users will be presented with a menu of messages from which they can select and read.
Configuration
Mailx requires configuration to interface with mail servers. This can be done by editing the .mailrc file in the user's home directory:
set smtp=smtp.example.com set from="[email protected]" set realname="Your Name"
Make sure to replace smtp.example.com with your SMTP server and adjust other settings as needed for optimal functionality.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues while using Mailx, consider the following:
- Check SMTP server settings and connections.
- Ensure that your firewall allows outgoing connections on port 25 (or your specified SMTP port).
- Verify the correctness of the sender and recipient email addresses.