path: root/doc/muttrc.man.head

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.TH muttrc 5 "May 2000" Unix "User Manuals"
.SH NAME
.PP
muttrc \- Configuration file for the Mutt Mail User Agent
.SH DESCRIPTION
.PP
A mutt configuration file consists of a series of \(lqcommands\(rq.
Each line of the file may contain one or more commands.  When
multiple commands are used, they must be separated by a semicolon
(\(lq\fB;\fP\(rq).
.PP
The hash mark, or pound sign (\(lq\fB#\fP\(rq), is used as a
\(lqcomment\(rq character. You can use it to annotate your
initialization file. All text after the comment character to the end
of the line is ignored.
.PP
Single quotes (\(lq\fB'\fP\(rq) and double quotes (\(lq\fB"\fP\(rq)
can be used to quote strings which contain spaces or other special
characters.  The difference between the two types of quotes is
similar to that of many popular shell programs, namely that a single
quote is used to specify a literal string (one that is not
interpreted for shell variables or quoting with a backslash [see
next paragraph]), while double quotes indicate a string for which
should be evaluated.  For example, backtics are evaluated inside of
double quotes, but not for single quotes.
.PP
\fB\(rs\fP quotes the next character, just as in shells such as bash and zsh.
For example, if want to put quotes (\(lq\fB"\fP\(rq) inside of a
string, you can use \(lq\fB\(rs\fP\(rq to force the next character
to be a literal instead of interpreted character.
.PP
\(lq\fB\(rs\(rs\fP\(rq means to insert a literal \(lq\fB\(rs\fP\(rq into the
line.  \(lq\fB\(rsn\fP\(rq and \(lq\fB\(rsr\fP\(rq have their usual
C meanings of linefeed and carriage-return, respectively.
.PP
A \(lq\fB\(rs\fP\(rq at the end of a line can be used to split commands over
multiple lines, provided that the split points don't appear in the
middle of command names.
.PP
It is also possible to substitute the output of a Unix command in an
initialization file.  This is accomplished by enclosing the command
in backquotes (\fB`\fP\fIcommand\fP\fB`\fP).
.PP
UNIX environments can be accessed like the way it is done in shells
like sh and bash: Prepend the name of the environment by a dollar
(\(lq\fB\(Do\fP\(rq) sign.
.PP
.SH COMMANDS
.PP
.nf
\fBalias\fP \fIkey\fP \fIaddress\fP [\fB,\fP \fIaddress\fP [ ... ]]
\fBunalias\fP \fIkey\fP
.fi
.IP
\fBalias\fP defines an alias \fIkey\fP for the given addresses.
\fBunalias\fP removes the alias corresponding to the given \fIkey\fP.
.TP
\fBalternative_order\fP \fItype\fP[\fB/\fP\fIsubtype\fP] [ ... ]
This command permits you to define an order of preference which is
used by mutt to determine which part of a
\fBmultipart/alternative\fP body to display.
A subtype of \(lq\fB*\fP\(rq matches any subtype, as does an empty
subtype.
.TP
\fBauto_view\fP \fItype\fP[\fB/\fP\fIsubtype\fP] [ ... ]
This commands permits you to specify that mutt should automatically
convert the given MIME types to text/plain when displaying messages.
For this to work, there must be a 
.BR mailcap (5)
entry for the given MIME type with the 
.B copiousoutput
flag set.  A subtype of \(lq\fB*\fP\(rq 
matches any subtype, as does an empty subtype.
.TP
\fBbind\fP \fImap\fP \fIkey\fP \fIfunction\fP
This command binds the given \fIkey\fP for the given \fImap\fP to
the given \fIfunction\fP.
.IP
Valid maps are:
.BR generic ", " alias ", " attach ", " 
.BR browser ", " editor ", "
.BR index ", " compose ", " 
.BR pager ", " pgp ", " postpone ", "
.BR mix .
.IP
For more information on keys and functions, please consult the Mutt
Manual.
.TP
\fBcharset-hook\fP \fIalias\fP \fIcharset\fP
This command defines an alias for a character set.  This is useful
to properly display messages which are tagged with a character set
name not known to mutt.
.TP
\fBmessage-hook\fP [\fB!\fP]\fIpattern\fP \fIcommand\fP
Before mutt displays (or formats for replying or forwarding) a
message which matches the given \fIpattern\fP (or, when it is
preceded by an exclamation mark, does not match the \fIpattern\fP),
the given \fIcommand\fP is executed.  When multiple
\fBmessage-hook\fPs match, they are  executed  in  the order in
which they occur in the configuration file.
.TP
\fBfolder-hook\fP [\fB!\fP]\fIregexp\fP \fIcommand\fP
When mutt enters a folder which matches \fIregexp\fP (or, when
\fIregexp\fP is preceded by an exclamation mark, does not match
\fIregexp\fP), the given \fIcommand\fP is executed.
.IP
When several \fBfolder-hook\fPs match a given mail folder, they are
executed in the order given in the configuration file.
.TP
\fBmacro\fP \fImap\fP \fIkey\fP \fIsequence\fP [ \fIdescription\fP ]
This command binds the given \fIsequence\fP of keys to the given
\fIkey\fP in the given \fImap\fP.  For valid maps, see \fBbind\fP.
.PP
.nf
\fBcolor\fP \fIobject\fP \fIforeground\fP \fIbackground\fP [ \fI regexp\fP ]
\fBcolor\fP index \fIforeground\fP \fIbackground\fP [ \fI pattern\fP ]
\fBuncolor\fP index \fIpattern\fP [ \fIpattern\fP ... ]
.fi
.IP
If your terminal supports color, these commands can be used to
assign \fIforeground\fP/\fIbackgound\fP combinations to certain
objects.  Valid objects are:
.BR attachment ", " body ", " bold ", " header ", "
.BR hdrdefault ", " index ", " indicator ", " markers ", "
.BR message ", " normal ", " quoted ", " quoted\fIN\fP ", "
.BR search ", " signature ", " status ", " tilde ", " tree ", "
.BR underline .
The
.BR body " and " header
objects allow you to restrict the colorization to a regular
expression.  The \fBindex\fP object permits you to select colored
messages by pattern.
.IP
Valid colors include:
.BR white ", " black ", " green ", " magenta ", " blue ", "
.BR cyan ", " yellow ", " red ", " default ", " color\fIN\fP .
.PP
.nf
\fBmono\fP \fIobject\fP \fIattribute\fP [ \fIregexp\fP ]
\fBmono\fP index \fIattribute\fP [ \fIpattern\fP ]
.fi
.IP
For terminals which don't support color, you can still assign
attributes to objects.  Valid attributes include:
.BR none ", " bold ", " underline ", " 
.BR reverse ", and " standout .
.TP
[\fBun\fP]\fBignore\fP \fIpattern\fP [ \fIpattern\fP ... ]
The \fBignore\fP command permits you to specify header fields which
you usually don't wish to see.  Any header field whose tag
\fIbegins\fP with an \(lqignored\(rq pattern will be ignored.
.IP
The \fBunignore\fP command permits you to define exceptions from
the above mentioned list of ignored headers.
.PP
.nf
\fBlists\fP \fIaddress\fP [ \fIaddress\fP ... ]
\fBunlists\fP \fIaddress\fP [ \fIaddress\fP ... ]
\fBsubscribe\fP \fIaddress\fP [ \fIaddress\fP ... ]
\fBunsubscribe\fP \fIaddress\fP [ \fIaddress\fP ... ]
.fi
.IP
Mutt maintains two lists of mailing list addresses, a list of
subscribed mailing lists, and a list of known mailing lists.  All
subscribed mailing lists are known.  A mail address matches a
mailing list if it begins with the given address.  For example, the
lists pattern \(lqmutt-\(rq will match mutt-dev@mutt.org and
mutt-users@mutt.org.
.IP
The \fBlists\fP command adds a mailing list address to the list of
known mailing lists.  The \fBunlists\fP command removes a mailig
list from the lists of known and subscribed mailing lists.  The
\fBsubscribe\fP command adds a mailing list to the lists of known
and subscribed mailing lists.  The \fBunsubscribe\fP command removes
it from the list of subscribed mailing lists.
.TP
\fBmbox-hook\fP [\fB!\fP]\fIpattern\fP \fImailbox\fP
When mutt changes to a mail folder which matches \fIpattern\fP,
\fImailbox\fP will be used as the \(lqmbox\(rq folder, i.e., read
messages will be moved to that folder when the mail folder is left.
.IP
The first matchig \fBmbox-hook\fP applies.
.TP
\fBmailboxes\fP \fIfilename\fP [ \fIfilename\fP ... ]
This command specifies folders which can receive mail and which will
be checked for new messages.  When changing folders, pressing space
will cycle through folders with new mail. 
.PP
.nf
\fBmy_hdr\fP \fIstring\fP
\fBunmy_hdr\fP \fIfield\fP
.fi
.IP
Using \fBmy_hdr\fP, you can define headers which will be added to
the messages you compose.  \fBunmy_hdr\fP will remove the given
user-defined headers.
.TP
\fBhdr_order\fP \fIheader1\fP \fIheader2\fP [ ... ]
With this command, you can specify an order in which mutt will
attempt to present headers to you when viewing messages.
.TP
\fBsave-hook\fP [\fB!\fP]\fIpattern\fP \fIfilename\fP
When a message matches \fIpattern\fP, the default file name when
saving it will be the given \fIfilename\fP.
.TP
\fBfcc-hook\fP [\fB!\fP]\fIpattern\fP \fIfilename\fP
When an outgoing message matches \fIpattern\fP, the default file
name for storing a copy (fcc) will be the given \fIfilename\fP.
.TP
\fBfcc-save-hook\fP [\fB!\fP]\fIpattern\fP \fIfilename\fP
This command is an abbreviation for identical \fBfcc-hook\fP and
\fBsave-hook\fP commands.
.TP
\fBsend-hook\fP [\fB!\fP]\fIpattern\fP \fIcommand\fP
When composing a message matching \fIpattern\fP, \fIcommand\fP is
executed.  When multiple \fBsend-hook\fPs match, they are executed
in the order in which they occur in the configuration file.
.TP
\fBpgp-hook\fP \fIpattern\fP \fIkey-id\fP
The pgp-hook command provides a method by which you can
specify the ID of the public key to be used when encrypting messages
to a certain recipient.
.TP
\fBpush\fP \fIstring\fP
This command adds the named \fIstring\fP to the keyboard buffer.
.PP
.nf
\fBset\fP [\fBno\fP|\fBinv\fP]\fIvariable\fP[=\fIvalue\fP] [ ... ]
\fBtoggle\fP \fIvariable\fP [ ... ]
\fBunset\fP \fIvariable\fP [ ... ]
\fBreset\fP \fIvariable\fP [ ... ]
.fi
.IP
These commands are used to set and manipulate configuration
varibles.
.IP
Mutt knows four basic types of variables: boolean, number, string
and quadoption.  Boolean variables can be \fBset\fP (true),
\fBunset\fP (false), or \fBtoggle\fPd. Number variables can be assigned
a positive integer value.
.IP
String variables consist of any number of printable characters.
Strings must be enclosed in quotes if they contain spaces or tabs.
You may also use the \(lqC\(rq escape sequences \fB\\n\fP and
\fB\\t\fP for newline and tab, respectively.
.IP
Quadoption variables are used to control whether or not to be
prompted for certain actions, or to specify a default action.  A
value of \fByes\fP will cause the action to be carried out automatically
as if you had answered yes to the question.  Similarly, a value of
\fBno\fP will cause the the action to be carried out as if you had
answered \(lqno.\(rq A value of \fBask-yes\fP will cause a prompt
with a default answer of \(lqyes\(rq and \fBask-no\fP will provide a
default answer of \(lqno.\(rq
.IP
The \fBreset\fP command resets all given variables to the compile
time defaults.  If you reset the special variabe \fBall\fP, all
variables will reset to their system defaults.
.TP
\fBsource\fP \fIfilename\fP
The given file will be evaluated as a configuration file.
.TP
\fBunhook\fP [\fB * \fP | \fIhook-type\fP ]
This command will remove all hooks of a given type, or all hooks
when \(lq\fB*\fP\(rq is used as an argument.  \fIhook-type\fP
can be any of the \fB-hook\fP commands documented above.
.SH PATTERNS
.PP
In various places with mutt, including some of the abovementioned
\fBhook\fP commands, you can specify patterns to match messages.
.SS Constructing Patterns
.PP
A simple pattern consists of an operator of the form
\(lq\fB~\fP\fIcharacter\fP\(rq, possibly followed by a parameter
against which mutt is supposed to match the obeject specified by
this operator.  (For a list of operators, see below.)
.PP
With some of these operators, the object to be matched consists of
several e-mail addresses.  In these cases, the object is matched if
at least one of these e-mail addresses matches. You can prepend a
hat (\(lq\fB^\fP\(rq) character to such a pattern to indicate that
\fIall\fP addresses must match in order to match the object.
.PP
You can construct complex patterns by combining simple patterns with
logical operators.  Logical AND is specified by simply concatenating
two simple patterns, for instance \(lq~C mutt-dev ~s bug\(rq.
Logical OR is specified by inserting a vertical bar (\(lq\fB|\fP\(rq)
between two patterns, for instance \(lq~C mutt-dev | ~s bug\(rq.
Additionally, you can negate a pattern by prepending a bang
(\(lq\fB!\fP\(rq) character.  For logical grouping, use braces
(\(lq()\(rq). Example: \(lq!(~t mutt|~c mutt) ~f elkins\(rq.
.SS Simple Patterns
.PP
Mutt understands the following simple patterns:
.PP
.TS
l l.
~A	all messages
~b \fIEXPR\fP	messages which contain \fIEXPR\fP in the message body
~B \fIEXPR\fP	messages which contain \fIEXPR\fP in the whole message
~c \fIEXPR\fP	messages carbon-copied to \fIEXPR\fP
~C \fIEXPR\fP	message is either to: or cc: \fIEXPR\fP
~D	deleted messages
~d \fIMIN\fP-\fIMAX\fP	messages with \(lqdate-sent\(rq in a Date range
~E	expired messages
~e \fIEXPR\fP	message which contains \fIEXPR\fP in the \(lqSender\(rq field
~F	flagged messages
~f \fIEXPR\fP	messages originating from \fIEXPR\fP
~g	PGP signed messages
~G	PGP encrypted messages
~h \fIEXPR\fP	messages which contain \fIEXPR\fP in the message header
~k	message contains PGP key material
~i \fIEXPR\fP	message which match \fIEXPR\fP in the \(lqMessage-ID\(rq field
~L \fIEXPR\fP	message is either originated or received by \fIEXPR\fP
~l	message is addressed to a known mailing list
~m \fIMIN\fP-\fIMAX\fP	message in the range \fIMIN\fP to \fIMAX\fP
~n \fIMIN\fP-\fIMAX\fP	messages with a score in the range \fIMIN\fP to \fIMAX\fP
~N	new messages
~O	old messages
~p	message is addressed to you (consults $alternates)
~P	message is from you (consults $alternates)
~Q	messages which have been replied to
~R	read messages
~r \fIMIN\fP-\fIMAX\fP	messages with \(lqdate-received\(rq in a Date range
~S	superseded messages
~s \fIEXPR\fP	messages having \fIEXPR\fP in the \(lqSubject\(rq field.
~T	tagged messages
~t \fIEXPR\fP	messages addressed to \fIEXPR\fP
~U	unread messages
~v	message is part of a collapsed thread.
~x \fIEXPR\fP	messages which contain \fIEXPR\fP in the \(lqReferences\(rq field
~z \fIMIN\fP-\fIMAX\fP	messages with a size in the range \fIMIN\fP to \fIMAX\fP
.TE
.PP
In the above, \fIEXPR\fP is a regular expression.
.PP
With the \fB~m\fP, \fB~n\fP, and \fB~z\fP operators, you can also
specify ranges in the forms \fB<\fP\fIMAX\fP, \fB>\fP\fIMIN\fP,
\fIMIN\fP\fB-\fP, and \fB-\fP\fIMAX\fP.
.SS Matching dates
.PP
The \fB~d\fP and \fB~r\fP operators are used to match date ranges,
which are interpreted to be given in your local time zone.
.PP
A date is of the form
\fIDD\fP[\fB/\fP\fIMM\fP[\fB/\fP[\fIcc\fP]\fIYY\fP]], that is, a
two-digit date, optionally followed by a two-digit month, optionally
followed by a year specifications.  Omitted fields default to the
current month and year.
.PP
Mutt understands either two or four digit year specifications.  When
given a two-digit year, mutt will interpret values less than 70 as
lying in the 21st century (i.e., \(lq38\(rq means 2038 and not 1938,
and \(lq00\(rq is interpreted as 2000), and values
greater than or equal to 70 as lying in the 20th century.
.PP
Note that this behaviour \fIis\fP Y2K compliant, but that mutt
\fIdoes\fP have a Y2.07K problem.
.PP
If a date range consists of a single date, the operator in question
will match that precise date.  If the date range consists of a dash
(\(lq\fB-\fP\(rq), followed by a date, this range will match any
date before and up to the date given.  Similarly, a date followed by
a dash matches the date given and any later point of time.  Two
dates, separated by a dash, match any date which lies in the given
range of time.
.PP
You can also specify offsets relative to the current date.  An
offset is specified as one of the characters
.BR < ,
.BR > ,
.BR = ,
followed by a positive number, followed by one of the unit
characters
.BR y ,
.BR m ,
.BR w ", or"
.BR d ,
specifying a unit of years, months, weeks, or days.  An offset which
begins with the character
.B >
matches dates which are older than the specified amount of time, an
offset which begins with the character
.B < 
matches dates which are more recent than the specified amount of time,
and an offset which begins with the character
.B =
matches points of time which are precisely the given amount of time
ago.
.SH CONFIGURATION VARIABLES