NAME

aerc - a pretty good email client.

SYNOPSIS

aerc [-v] [-a <account>[,<account>]] [ mailto:...]
For a guided tutorial, use :help tutorial from aerc, or man aerc-tutorial from your terminal.

OPTIONS

-v
Prints the installed version of aerc and exits.
-a <account>[,<account>]
Load only the named accounts, as opposed to all configured accounts. List must be comma separated, with no spaces. The account order will be preserved.
mailto:address[,address][?query[&query]]
Opens the composer with the address(es) in the To field. These addresses must not be percent encoded. If aerc is already running, the composer is started in this instance, otherwise aerc will be started. The following (optional) query parameters are supported:
Query Description
subject=<text> Subject line will be completed with the <text>
body=<text> Message body will be completed with the <text>
cc=<address>[,<address>] Cc header will be completed with the list of addresses
bcc=<address>[,<address>] Bcc header will be completed with the list of addresses
in-reply-to=<message-id> In-reply-to header will be set to the message id
account=<accountname> Specify the account (must be in accounts.conf; default is the selected account)
 
Note that reserved characters in the queries must be percent encoded.

RUNTIME COMMANDS

To execute a command, press : to bring up the command interface. Commands may also be bound to keys, see aerc-binds(5) for details. In some contexts, such as the terminal emulator, <c-x> is used to bring up the command interface.
Different commands work in different contexts, depending on the kind of tab you have selected.
Aerc stores a history of commands, which can be cycled through in command mode. Pressing the up key cycles backwards in history, while pressing down cycles forwards.

GLOBAL COMMANDS

These commands work in any context.
:cd <directory>
Changes aerc's current working directory.
:z <directory or zoxide query>
Changes aerc's current working directory using zoxide. If zoxide is not on $PATH., the command will not be registered.
:change-tab [+|-]<tab name or index>
 
:ct [+|-]<tab name or index>
Changes the focus to the tab with the given name. If a number is given, it's treated as an index. If + or - is specified, the number is interpreted as a delta from the selected tab.
:exec <command>
Executes an arbitrary command in the background. Aerc will set the environment variables $account and $folder when the command is executed from an Account tab or an opened message.
Note: commands executed in this way are not executed with the shell.
:eml [<path>]
 
:preview
Opens an eml file and displays the message in the message viewer.
Can also be used in the message viewer to open an rfc822 attachment or in the composer to preview the message.
:pwd
Displays aerc's current working directory in the status bar.
:term [<command>...]
 
:terminal
Opens a new terminal tab with a shell running in the current working directory, or the specified command.
:move-tab [+|-]<index>
Moves the selected tab to the given index. If + or - is specified, the number is interpreted as a delta from the selected tab.
:prev-tab [<n>]
 
:next-tab [<n>]
Cycles to the previous or next tab in the list, repeating <n> times (default: 1).
:pin-tab
Moves the current tab to the left of all non-pinned tabs and displays the pinned-tab-marker (default: `) to the left of the tab title.
:unpin-tab
Removes the pinned-tab-marker from the current tab and returns the tab to its previous location.
:prompt <prompt> <command>...
Displays the prompt on the status bar, waits for user input, then appends that input as the last argument to the command and executes it. The input is passed as one argument to the command, unless it is empty, in which case no extra argument is added.
:choose -o <key> <text> <command> [ -o <key> <text> <command>]...
Prompts the user to choose from various options.
:quit [-f]
 
:exit [-f]
Exits aerc. If a task is being performed that should not be interrupted (like sending a message), a normal quit call might fail. In this case, closing aerc can be forced with the -f option.

MESSAGE COMMANDS

These commands are valid in any context that has a selected message (e.g. the message list, the message in the message viewer, etc).
:archive <scheme>
Moves the selected message to the archive. The available schemes are:
flat: No special structure, all messages in the archive directory
year: Messages are stored in folders per year
month: Messages are stored in folders per year and subfolders per month
:accept
Accepts an iCalendar meeting invitation.
:accept-tentative
Accepts an iCalendar meeting invitation tentatively.
:copy <target>
 
:cp <target>
Copies the selected message to the target folder.
:decline
Declines an iCalendar meeting invitation.
:delete
 
:delete-message
Deletes the selected message.
:envelope [-h] [-s <format-specifier>]
Opens the message envelope in a dialog popup.
-h: Show all header fields
-s <format-specifier>
User-defined format specifier requiring two %s for the key and value strings. Default format: %-20.20s: %s
:recall [-f]
Opens the selected message for re-editing. Messages can only be recalled from the postpone directory. The original message is deleted.
-f: Open the message for re-editing even if it is not in the postpone directory. The original message will be deleted only if it is in the postpone directory.
:forward [-A|-F] [-T <template-file>] [<address>...]
Opens the composer to forward the selected message to another recipient.
-A: Forward the message and all attachments.
-F: Forward the full message as an RFC 2822 attachment.
-T <template-file>
Use the specified template file for creating the initial message body. Unless -F is specified, this defaults to what is set as forwards in the [templates] section of aerc.conf.
:move <target>
 
:mv <target>
Moves the selected message to the target folder.
:pipe [-bmp] <cmd>
Downloads and pipes the selected message into the given shell command, and opens a new terminal tab to show the result. By default, the selected message part is used in the message viewer and the full message is used in the message list.
Operates on multiple messages when they are marked. When piping multiple messages, aerc will write them with mbox format separators.
-b: Run the command in the background instead of opening a terminal tab
-m: Pipe the full message
-p: Pipe just the selected message part, if applicable
This can be used to apply patch series with git:
:pipe -m git am -3
When at least one marked message subject matches a patch series (e.g. [PATCH X/Y]), all marked messages will be sorted by subject to ensure that the patches are applied in order.
:reply [-acq] [-T <template-file>]
Opens the composer to reply to the selected message.
-a: Reply all
-c: Close the view tab when replying. If the reply is not sent, reopen the view tab.
-q: Insert a quoted version of the selected message into the reply editor
-T <template-file>
Use the specified template file for creating the initial message body. If -q is specified, defaults to what is set as quoted-reply in the [templates] section of aerc.conf.
:read [-t]
Marks the marked or selected messages as read.
-t: Toggle the messages between read and unread.
:unread [-t]
Marks the marked or selected messages as unread.
-t: Toggle the messages between read and unread.
:flag [-t] [-a | -x <flag>]
Sets (enables) a certain flag on the marked or selected messages.
-t: Toggle the flag instead of setting (enabling) it.
-a: Mark message as answered/unanswered.
-x <flag>: Mark message with specific flag.
The available flags are (adapted from RFC 3501, section 2.3.2):
Seen
Message has been read
Answered
Message has been answered
Flagged
Message is flagged for urgent/special attention
:unflag [-t] <flag>
Operates exactly like :flag, defaulting to unsetting (disabling) flags.
:modify-labels [+|-]<label>...
 
:tag [+|-]<label>...
Modify message labels (e.g. notmuch tags). Labels prefixed with a + are added, those prefixed with a - removed. As a convenience, labels without either operand add the specified label.
Example: add inbox and unread labels, remove spam label.
:modify-labels +inbox -spam unread
:unsubscribe
Attempt to automatically unsubscribe the user from the mailing list through use of the List-Unsubscribe header. If supported, aerc may open a compose window pre-filled with the unsubscribe information or open the unsubscribe URL in a web browser.

MESSAGE LIST COMMANDS

:clear [-s]
Clears the current search or filter criteria.
By default, the selected message will be kept. To clear the selected message and move cursor to the top of the message list, use the -s flag.
-s: Selects the message at the top of the message list after clearing.
:cf <folder>
Change the folder shown in the message list.
:check-mail
Check for new mail on the selected account. Non-imap backends require check-mail-cmd to be set in order for aerc to initiate a check for new mail. Issuing a manual :check-mail command will reset the timer for automatic checking.
:compose [-H "<header>: <value>"] [-T <template-file>] [<body>]
Open the compose window to send a new email. The new email will be sent with the current account's outgoing transport configuration. For details on configuring outgoing mail delivery consult aerc-accounts(5).
-H "<header>: <value>"
Add the specified header to the message, e.g:
:compose -H "X-Custom: custom value"
-T <template-file>
Use the specified template file for creating the initial message body.
<body>: The initial message body.
:filter [<options>] <terms>...
Similar to :search, but filters the displayed messages to only the search results. See the documentation for :search for more details.
:mkdir <name>
Creates a new folder for this account and changes to that folder.
:rmdir [-f]
Removes the current folder.
By default, it will fail if the directory is non-empty (see -f).
-f
Remove the directory even if it contains messages.
Some programs that sync maildirs may recover deleted directories (e.g. offlineimap). These can either be specially configured to properly handle directory deletion, or special commands need to be run to delete directories (e.g. offlineimap --delete-folder).
It is possible, with a slow connection and the imap backend, that new messages arrive in the directory before they show up - using :rmdir at this moment would delete the directory and such new messages before the user sees them.
:next <n>[%]
 
:next-message <n>[%]
 
:prev <n>[%]
 
:prev-message <n>[%]
Selects the next (or previous) message in the message list. If specified as a percentage, the percentage is applied to the number of messages shown on screen and the cursor advances that far.
:next-folder <n>
 
:prev-folder <n>
Cycles to the next (or previous) folder shown in the sidebar, repeated <n> times (default: 1).
:expand-folder
 
:collapse-folder
Expands or collapses the current folder when the directory tree is enabled.
:export-mbox <file>
Exports all messages in the current folder to an mbox file.
:import-mbox <file>
Imports all messages from an mbox file to the current folder.
:next-result
 
:prev-result
Selects the next or previous search result.
:filter [<options>] <terms>...
Searches the current folder. The search syntax is dependent on the underlying backend. Refer to aerc-search(1) for details
:select <n>
 
:select-message <n>
Selects the <n>th message in the message list (and scrolls it into view if necessary).
:split [[+|-]<n>]
Creates a horizontal split, showing <n> messages and a message view below the message list. If a + or - is prepended, the message list size will grow or shrink accordingly. The split can be cleared by calling :split 0, or just :split. The split can be toggled by calling split with the same (absolute) size repeatedly. For example, :split 10 will create a split. Calling :split 10 again will remove the split. If not specified, <n> is set to an estimation based on the user's terminal. Also see :vsplit.
:sort [[-r] <criterion>]...
Sorts the message list by the given criteria. -r sorts the immediately following criterion in reverse order.
Available criteria:
Criterion Description
arrival Date and time of the messages arrival
cc Addresses in the Cc field
date Date and time of the message
from Addresses in the From field
read Presence of the read flag
size Size of the message
subject Subject of the message
to Addresses in the To field
 
:toggle-threads
Toggles between message threading and the normal message list.
:view [-p]
 
:view-message [-p]
Opens the message viewer to display the selected message. If the peek flag -p is set, the message will not be marked as seen and ignores the auto-mark-read config.
:vsplit [[+|-]<n>]
Creates a vertical split of the message list. The message list will be <n> columns wide, and a vertical message view will be shown to the right of the message list. If a + or - is prepended, the message list size will grow or shrink accordingly. The split can be cleared by calling :vsplit 0, or just :vsplit. The split can be toggled by calling split with the same (absolute) size repeatedly. For example, :vsplit 10 will create a split. Calling :vsplit 10 again will remove the split. If not specified, <n> is set to an estimation based on the user's terminal. Also see :split.

MESSAGE VIEW COMMANDS

:close
Closes the message viewer.
:next <n>[%]
 
:prev <n>[%]
Selects the next (or previous) message in the message list. If specified as a percentage, the percentage is applied to the number of messages shown on screen and the cursor advances that far.
:next-part
 
:prev-part
Cycles between message parts being shown. The list of message parts is shown at the bottom of the message viewer.
:open [<args...>]
Saves the current message part to a temporary file, then opens it. If no arguments are provided, it will open the current MIME part with the matching command in the [openers] section of aerc.conf. When no match is found in [openers], it falls back to the default system handler.
When arguments are provided:
•The first argument must be the program to open the message part with. Subsequent args are passed to that program.
•{} will be expanded as the temporary filename to be opened. If it is not encountered in the arguments, the temporary filename will be appened to the end of the command.
 
:save [-fpa] <path>
Saves the current message part to the given path. If the path is not an absolute path, [general].default-save-path from aerc.conf will be prepended to the path given. If path ends in a trailing slash or if a folder exists on disc or if -a is specified, aerc assumes it to be a directory. When passed a directory :save infers the filename from the mail part if possible, or if that fails, uses aerc_$DATE.
-f: Overwrite the destination whether or not it exists
-p: Create any directories in the path that do not exist
-a: Save all attachments. Individual filenames cannot be specified.
:mark [-atvT]
Marks messages. Commands will execute on all marked messages instead of the highlighted one if applicable. The flags below can be combined as needed.
-a: Apply to all messages in the current folder
-t: toggle the mark state instead of marking a message
-v: Enter / leave visual mark mode
-V: Same as -v but does not clear existing selection
-T: Marks the displayed message thread of the selected message.
:unmark [-at]
Unmarks messages. The flags below can be combined as needed.
-a: Apply to all messages in the current folder
-t: toggle the mark state instead of unmarking a message
:remark
Re-select the last set of marked messages. Can be used to chain commands after a selection has been acted upon

MESSAGE COMPOSE COMMANDS

:abort
Close the composer without sending, discarding the message in progress.
:attach <path>
 
:attach -m [<arg>]
Attaches the file at the given path to the email. The path can contain globbing syntax described at https://godocs.io/path/filepath#Match.
-m [<arg>]
Runs the file-picker-cmd to select files to be attached. Requires an argument when file-picker-cmd contains the %s verb.
:attach-key
Attaches the public key for the configured account to the email.
:detach [<path>]
Detaches the file with the given path from the composed email. If no path is specified, detaches the first attachment instead.
:cc <addresses>
 
:bcc <addresses>
Sets the Cc or Bcc header to the given addresses. If an editor for the header is not currently visible in the compose window, a new one will be added.
:edit
(Re-)opens your text editor to edit the message in progress.
:multipart [-d] <mime/type>
Makes the message to multipart/alternative and add the specified <mime/type> part. Only the MIME types that are configured in the [multipart-converters] section of aerc.conf are supported and their related commands will be used to generate the alternate part.
-d:
Remove the specified alternative <mime/type> instead of adding it. If no alternative parts are left, make the message text/plain (i.e. not multipart/alternative).
:next-field
 
:prev-field
Cycles between input fields in the compose window.
:postpone
Saves the current state of the message to the postpone folder (from accounts.conf) for the current account.
:save [-p] <path>
Saves the selected message part to the specified path. If -p is selected, aerc will create any missing directories in the specified path. If the path specified is a directory or ends in /, aerc will use the attachment filename if available or a generated name if not.
:send
Sends the message using this accounts default outgoing transport configuration. For details on configuring outgoing mail delivery consult aerc-accounts(5).
:switch-account <account-name>
 
:switch-account -n
 
:switch-account -p
Switches the account. Can be used to switch to a specific account from its name or to cycle through accounts using the -p and -n flags.
-p: switch to previous account
-n: switch to next account
:header [-f] <name> [<value>]
Add a new email header. If the header already exists, -f must be specified to replace the given value.
:toggle-headers
Toggles the visibility of the message headers.

TERMINAL COMMANDS

:close
Closes the terminal.

LOGGING

Aerc does not log by default, but collecting log output can be useful for troubleshooting and reporting issues. Redirecting stdout when invoking aerc will write log messages to that file:
$ aerc > aerc.log
Persistent logging can be configured via the log-file and log-level settings in aerc.conf.

SEE ALSO

aerc-config(5) aerc-imap(5) aerc-smtp(5) aerc-maildir(5) aerc-sendmail(5) aerc-tutorial(7)

AUTHORS

Originally created by Drew DeVault <[email protected]> and maintained by Robin Jarry <[email protected]> who is assisted by other open source contributors. For more information about aerc development, see https://sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/.