How to use the command 'mutt' (with examples)

Mutt is a command-line email client that is both powerful and customizable, designed to handle various email tasks directly from the terminal. It is particularly useful for users who prefer using the command line and require a robust tool to manage emails efficiently without the overhead of a graphical user interface. More information about Mutt can be found on its official webpage at mutt.org .

Use case 1: Open the specified mailbox

Code:

mutt -f mailbox

Motivation:

Opening a specific mailbox directly from the terminal is a common need for users who manage multiple email accounts or folders. This can greatly streamline the email-checking process by allowing them to jump straight into the relevant mailbox without navigating through various menus. For instance, suppose you have several email accounts and want to check updates in a particular work-related folder quickly; this command will help you achieve that directly.

Explanation:

• mutt: Invokes the Mutt command-line email client.
• -f mailbox: The -f flag is used to specify which mailbox to open. This could be a path to a local mail folder or a URL to a remote mail server. The mailbox argument should be replaced with the path or identifier of the mailbox you want to access.

Example output:

When run, the command opens the specified mailbox directly within the terminal interface. You’ll be presented with a list of emails currently stored in that mailbox, enabling immediate interaction, such as reading, replying, or archiving emails.

Use case 2: Send an email and specify a subject and a cc recipient

Code:

mutt -s "Meeting Update" -c cc@example.com recipient@example.com

Motivation:

Sometimes, while sending an email, you might want to include others in the correspondence by adding them as ‘cc’ (carbon copy) recipients. This lets multiple people receive the same information without actually being the primary recipient. Moreover, specifying a subject line is crucial for both conveyance of the email’s intent and for better organization of emails.

Explanation:

• mutt: Invokes the Mutt email client.
• -s "Meeting Update": The -s flag allows users to set the subject line of the email. In this case, “Meeting Update” is the specified subject. Quotation marks are used to encompass the subject text properly.
• -c cc@example.com: The -c flag allows the addition of a cc recipient. Here, cc@example.com becomes the copy recipient. Anyone cc’d will receive the email without being the primary recipient.
• recipient@example.com: This is the primary recipient’s email address. The primary recipient will be directly engaged with the email content.

Example output:

After executing this command, Mutt opens a terminal-based email composition interface where you can enter your email message. Once completed and sent, the specified recipients, both primary and cc’d, will receive the email with the defined subject.

Use case 3: Send an email with files attached

Code:

mutt -a file1.txt file2.jpg -- recipient@example.com

Motivation:

Attaching files to an email is a regular task when sending documents, images, or other forms of data electronically. This command caters to situations where you need to email multiple files to someone, thus facilitating the transfer of information efficiently from a terminal environment.

Explanation:

• mutt: Invokes the Mutt email client.
• -a file1.txt file2.jpg: The -a option is used for attaching files. Here, file1.txt and file2.jpg are the files specified to be attached. Multiple files can be attached by listing them after -a, separated by spaces.
• --: This is a delimiter that tells Mutt that the attachment specification has ended, and the email recipient specification is about to start.
• recipient@example.com: The email address of the person receiving the email with these attachments.

Example output:

Executing this command will open the Mutt editor for composing your message, after which the email will be sent with the specified files attached. The recipient will then receive an email with the attachments.

Use case 4: Specify a file to include as the message body

Code:

mutt -i path/to/message.txt recipient@example.com

Motivation:

Often, you’ll want to prepare a detailed message in advance, possibly using a rich text editor, and then send it out as an email. This could be useful when dealing with lengthy reports or sensitive information that requires drafting outside the Mutt editor but needs to be emailed via Mutt.

Explanation:

• mutt: This command calls the Mutt email client.
• -i path/to/message.txt: The -i flag specifies that a file should be included as the body of the email. Here, path/to/message.txt represents the file containing your pre-written message.
• recipient@example.com: The address of the main email recipient.

Example output:

When the command is executed, Mutt uses the contents of message.txt as the email’s body. You can then finalize and send the email to the recipient specified.

Use case 5: Specify a draft file containing the header and the body of the message, in RFC 5322 format

Code:

mutt -H path/to/draft.txt recipient@example.com

Motivation:

Saving a complete draft, with both the header and body defined, is useful for complex emails where specific headers are necessary, such as when utilizing custom formats or templates. This functionality helps users automate and control their emails more precisely by allowing them to set up emails in advance with detailed headers.

Explanation:

• mutt: Utilizes the Mutt email client.
• -H path/to/draft.txt: The -H flag indicates that Mutt should treat the specified file as a draft. The file, path/to/draft.txt, should include both the email headers and body according to RFC 5322 format standards.
• recipient@example.com: Although typically not needed since the recipient should already be specified in the draft headers, this can confirm who the email is being sent to.

Example output:

With this command, Mutt will load your draft email as specified in draft.txt, allowing you to review and send an email already pre-formatted and complete with headers and body.

Conclusion:

Mutt’s versatile command-line options make it an incredibly powerful tool for sending and managing emails efficiently from a terminal environment. By utilizing Mutt, users can complete detailed email tasks such as opening specific mailboxes, sending emails with cc recipients, attaching files, and sending pre-written messages—all while maintaining a streamlined workflow ideal for terminal users. Each of these use cases demonstrates a unique scenario in which Mutt can be deployed to enhance productivity and streamline email management in a non-graphical setting.