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

Notmuch is a command-line based program used for indexing, searching, reading, and tagging large collections of email messages. It offers a fast and reliable way of managing and organizing emails on Unix-like systems. Suitable for users who prefer working in a terminal environment, Notmuch provides powerful search capabilities and an efficient tagging system.

Configure for first use:

Code:

notmuch setup

Motivation:

Before you can start using Notmuch to manage your emails, you need to set up its configuration. The notmuch setup command helps in initializing the Notmuch environment by creating a configuration file that stores user-specific settings, such as the email directory and user details like name and email address. This step is essential as it lays the groundwork for all subsequent operations.

Explanation:

• setup: This command initializes Notmuch by guiding you through a series of prompts to configure your email environment for the first time. Once completed, it provides a .notmuch-config file which contains all the necessary configurations.

Example Output:

Please enter the primary email address for this user: user@example.com
Mail directory: /home/user/Maildir
Name a tag to assign for all new messages: inbox
Using /home/user/.notmuch-config as configuration file.

Add a tag for all messages matching a search term:

Code:

notmuch tag +custom_tag "search_term"

Motivation:

Tagging messages allows users to categorize and retrieve emails quickly. Adding a tag can help users manage emails more effectively by grouping related messages together. For example, you might want to tag all emails from a particular project with the project’s name for easy access.

Explanation:

• tag: This base command starts the tagging operation.
• +custom_tag: The + sign indicates the addition of a tag named custom_tag to the emails that match the search criteria.
• "search_term": This is the search query used to find messages to which the tag will be added. The query can be any search term supported by Notmuch, such as a sender’s email address, keywords in the subject, or body text.

Example Output:

Tag added: custom_tag

Remove a tag for all messages matching a search term:

Code:

notmuch tag -custom_tag "search_term"

Motivation:

Removing a tag can help in reorganizing and cleaning up your email collection. It may be necessary when the tag is no longer relevant, or if it was assigned in error. This command quickly detags messages without having to manually go through each one.

Explanation:

• tag: Indicates the operation being performed.
• -custom_tag: The - sign is used to remove the specified tag, custom_tag, from the selected messages.
• "search_term": Determines which messages need their tags removed, using the same flexible search syntax provided by Notmuch.

Example Output:

Tag removed: custom_tag

Count messages matching the given search term:

Code:

notmuch count --output=messages|threads "search_term"

Motivation:

Counting messages is essential for getting a quick overview of your email inventory filtered by specific criteria. Knowing the number of messages or threads that exist can help prioritize workload, identify email frequency, or monitor project correspondence.

Explanation:

• count: Specifies that you want to perform a count operation.
• --output=messages|threads: Determines whether the count should be based on individual messages or aggregated threads.
• "search_term": The search query to filter which messages to include in the count.

Example Output:

25

Search for messages matching the given search term:

Code:

notmuch search --format=json|text --output=summary|threads|messages|files|tags "search_term"

Motivation:

Searching is arguably the most powerful feature of Notmuch, allowing users to find emails that match specific criteria. Whether you’re looking for a particular conversation, email files, or messages containing certain keywords, this command ensures swift and accurate retrieval.

Explanation:

• search: Initiates the search operation.
• --format=json|text: Specifies the output format. JSON is useful for structured data handling, while text is suitable for simple viewing purposes.
• --output=summary|threads|messages|files|tags: Determines the level of detail in the search results, from summarized information to detailed message contents.
• "search_term": The specific criteria or query to filter search results, allowing precise control over what emails are returned.

Example Output:

[{"thread": "0001", "subject": "Discussion on Project X", ...}]

Limit the number of search results to X:

Code:

notmuch search --format=json|text --output=summary|threads|messages|files|tags --limit=X "search_term"

Motivation:

Limiting the search results is particularly useful in scenarios where you’re interested in reviewing only the most recent or relevant emails. It helps prevent information overload and allows you to focus on what’s most pertinent without wading through potentially large volumes of data.

Explanation:

• search: Conducts a search operation.
• --format=json|text: Chooses the desired format for outputs, like in previous cases.
• --output=summary|threads|messages|files|tags: Selects the level of detail for results.
• --limit=X: Limits the number of returned results to X, ensuring the result set is manageable.
• "search_term": The criteria that determines what emails to include in the search.

Example Output:

Showing 10 of 50 results (limited by request)

Create a reply template for a set of messages:

Code:

notmuch reply --format=default|headers-only --reply-to=sender|all "search_term"

Motivation:

Creating reply templates streamlines the process of responding to emails by providing predefined responses. This is particularly useful for managing repetitive inquiries, responding to team threads, or handling bulk communications.

Explanation:

• reply: Starts the reply template creation operation.
• --format=default|headers-only: Decides whether the reply template includes the entire message body (default) or only the headers (headers-only).
• --reply-to=sender|all: Specifies whether the reply is directed to just the sender (sender) or every participant in the original message (all).
• "search_term": Identifies which messages require a reply template, based on the given query.

Example Output:

Reply template generated for messages matching: "Project X update".

Conclusion:

Notmuch provides a robust set of command-line tools for effectively managing large volumes of emails, enhancing productivity, and ensuring seamless email organization through intuitive tagging and powerful searching capabilities.