mail

mail [options] [users]

Read mail (if no users listed), or send mail to other users. Type ? for a summary of commands. Esoteric debugging options exist (not listed) for system administrators.

Options for sending mail

-m type

Print a "Message-type:" line at the heading of the letter, followed by type of message.

-t

Print a "To:" line at the heading of the letter, showing the names of the recipients.

-w

Force mail to be sent to remote users without waiting for remote transfer program to be completed.

-F

Store message in a file named after the first recipient.

-h n

Stop trying to send after making n network connections, or "hops" (useful for avoiding infinite loops).

-i

Ignore interrupts (useful on modems).

-n

-r address

Specify a return address for mail you send.

-s subject

Print subject in the subject header field.

-U

Convert uucp-type addresses to Internet format.

-v

Verbose; display status of mail delivery.

Options for reading mail

Options -i, -n, -U, and -v, are also available.

-e

Test for the existence of mail without printing it. Exit status is 0 if mail exists; otherwise 1.

-f file

Read mail from alternate mailbox file.

-F names

Forward all incoming mail to recipient names.

-h

Display a window of messages rather than the latest message.

-p

Print all messages without pausing.

-P

Print messages with all header lines displayed.

-q

Terminate on an interrupt.

-r

Print oldest messages first.