---
name: "alot"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "alot"
version: "0.12-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/alot"
---

# alot(1)

Terminal MUA using notmuch mail

## NAME

alot - Terminal MUA using notmuch mail

## SYNOPSIS

alot \[options ...\] \[subcommand\]

## DESCRIPTION

Alot is a terminal-based mail user agent for the notmuch mail system. It features a modular and command prompt driven interface to provide a full MUA experience as an alternative to the Emacs mode shipped with notmuch.

## OPTIONS

- **-r, --read-only**

  open notmuch database in read-only mode

- **-c** *FILENAME,* **--config=***FILENAME*

  configuration file (default: ~/.config/alot/config)

- **-n** *FILENAME,* **--notmuch-config=***FILENAME*

  notmuch configuration file (default: see [notmuch-config(1)](/notmuch-config/1.md))

- **-C** *COLOURS,* **--colour-mode=***COLOURS*

  number of colours to use on the terminal; must be 1, 16 or 256 (default: configuration option *colourmode* or 256)

- **-p** *PATH,* **--mailindex-path=***PATH*

  path to notmuch index

- **-d** *LEVEL,* **--debug-level=***LEVEL*

  debug level; must be one of debug, info, warning or error (default: info)

- **-l** *FILENAME,* **--logfile=***FILENAME*

  log file (default: /dev/null)

- **-h, --help**

  display help and exit

- **-v, --version**

  output version information and exit

## COMMANDS

- **search**

  start in a search buffer using the query string provided as parameter (see **[notmuch-search-terms(7)](/notmuch-search-terms/7.md)**)

- **compose**

  compose a new message

- **bufferlist**

  start with only a bufferlist buffer open

- **taglist**

  start with only a taglist buffer open

- **namedqueries**

  start with list of named queries

- **pyshell**

  start the interactive python shell inside alot

## USAGE

The arrow keys, *page-up/down*, *j*, *k* and *Space* can be used to move the focus. *Escape* cancels prompts and *Enter* selects. Hit *:* at any time and type in commands to the prompt.

The interface shows one buffer at a time, you can use *Tab* and *Shift-Tab* to switch between them, close the current buffer with *d* and list them all with *;*.

The buffer type or *mode* (displayed at the bottom left) determines which prompt commands are available. Usage information on any command can be listed by typing *help YOURCOMMAND* to the prompt. The keybindings for the current mode are listed upon pressing *?*.

## UNIX SIGNALS

- **SIGUSR1**

  Refreshes the current buffer.

- **SIGINT**

  Shuts down the user interface.

## SEE ALSO

**[notmuch(1)](/notmuch/1.md)**

## Author

Patrick Totzke

## Copyright

Copyright (C) 2012-24 Patrick Totzke