---
name: "away"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "away"
version: "0.9.5+ds-0+nmu2+b2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/away"
---

# away(1)

terminal locking program

## NAME

away - terminal locking program

## SYNOPSIS

**away \[OPTIONS\]** *message* **\[...\]**

## DESCRIPTION

**away** is a simple program that locks your terminal, checks for new mail in any given number of mailboxes, and lets other users know why you are inactive.

## OPTIONS

- \-c, --mail

  Enable checking of mail.

- \-C, --nomail

  Disable checking of mail.

- \-f, --rcfile=FILE

  Specify an alternative configuration file instead of the default ~/.awayrc file.

- \-F, --norcfile

  Ignore user configuration file.

- \-h, --help

  Display help.

- \-m, --message

  Execute as the remainder of the command line, effectively stripping off the executable name and additional switches.

- \-p, --persist

  Continue checking for new mail as long as there is at least one mailbox that has not received new mail.

- \-P, --nopersist

  Stop checking mail if any mailbox is found to have new mail.

- \-t, --time=SECONDS

  Set the number of second that away sleeps before performing its background tasks.  Presently, the only background task that away will perform is the checking of mailboxes.

- \-T, --notime

  Ignore any options to set the time interval and use the default number of seconds.

- \-v, --version

  Display version information.

## FILES

*~/.awayrc*

Per user configuration file. See [**awayrc**(5)](/awayrc/5.md) for further details.

*/etc/pam.d/away*

The **Linux-PAM** configuration file.

## BUGS

Bug reports should be sent to the away mailing list \<away@unbeatenpath.net\>.

## SEE ALSO

[**awayrc**(5)](/awayrc/5.md)

## AUTHORS

Cameron Moore \<cameron@unbeatenpath.net\>, and others.