---
name: "elm"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "elm-me+"
version: "2.4pl25ME+66-1"
release: "Debian 2.2 (Potato)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/elm"
---

# elm(1)

an interactive mail system

## NAME

elm - an interactive mail system

## SYNOPSIS

**elm** \[ **-achkKmrtwz** \] \[ **-f** *alternate-folder* \] \[ **-d** *debug-level* \]\
 **elm** \[ **-s** *subject* \] *list of aliases or addresses*

## DESCRIPTION

*Elm* is an interactive screen-oriented mailer program that supersedes  *mail* and  *mailx.*

There are three main ways to use the **elm** mailer.  One way to use the mailer is to specify a list of addresses on the command line when the mailer is invoked.  This will allow sending of a single message to the specified recipients with all the options usually available in the **elm** system itself. For example, the command

```
	elm -s testing joe
```

would initiate the sending of a message to the alias joe with the subject "testing" indicated and would put you into an editor for you to enter the text of the message. If the subject flag and argument were not present, you would be prompted for a message subject.

The second way, used most commonly when transmitting files and such, is to specify the subject of the message and the recipients using the command line and redirect a file as standard input.  For example, the command

```
	elm -s testing joe < test.c
```

would mail a copy of the file test.c to alias joe, with the subject "testing" indicated. The subject flag and argument are optional.

The third way, elm is invoked with neither subject nor addresses specified on the command line and without standard input redirected. You can then read any messages in your incoming mailbox (or specified folder), reply to messages in the mailbox, mail messages, etc.

Options are:

- **-a**

  Arrow - force the arrow cursor (instead of the inverse bar)

- **-A *file***

  Attach file. Look also option -i. To get this to work correctly, in file "$HOME/.elm/mime.types" must be mapping from extension of filename to mime type.

- **-c**

  Checkalias - expand the following aliases and return.

- **-d *level***

  Debug - set specified debug level - Output to "$HOME/ELM:debug.info"

- **-f *alternative-folder***

  Folder - read folder (specified) rather than the incoming mailbox.

- **-h**

  Help - give a list of starting options.

- **-i *file***

  Include - include prepared file in edit buffer for sending. Look also option -A.

- **-?**

  Synonymous with the "-h" option.

- **-k**

  Ignored.

  Keypad - force knowledge of HP terminal keyboard, to allow the use of the NEXT, PREV and HOME/SHIFT-HOME keys.

- **-K**

  Ignored.

  Keypad + softkeys - enable use of softkeys on HP terminals only.

- **-m**

  Menu off - Use the extra lines for more message headers.

- **-s *subj***

  Subject - specify subject for message to mail.

- **-t**

  tite - turn off usage of the termcap/terminfo ti/te sequence.

- **-v**

  Version - print version and configuration information.

- **-w**

  Write .elm/elmrc in startup. Useful if your .elm/elmrc  have errors.

- **-z**

  Zero - don't enter **Elm** if no mail is pending.

## AUTHOR

Elm Development Group

## SEE ALSO

The Elm documentation package, including: *The Elm Users Guide,* The Elm Reference Guide, The Elm Alias System Users Guide, The Elm Forms Mode Guide, The Elm Filter Guide, The Elm Configuration Guide

checkalias(1L), frm(1L), [mail(1)](/mail/1.md), [mailx(1)](/mailx/1.md), newalias(1L), printmail(1L), readmsg(1L)

## FILES

/usr/lib/elm-me+/elm-help.\*       help files\
 /etc/elm-me+/aliases.text         system alias source\
 /etc/elm-me+/aliases.dir          system alias dbz directory table\
 /etc/elm-me+/aliases.pag          system alias dbz hash table\
 /etc/elm-me+/aliases              system alias data table\
\
 /etc/elm-me+/aliases.hash         system alias hash table\
 /etc/elm-me+/aliases.data         system alias data table\
 $HOME/.elm/aliases.text           user alias source\
 $HOME/.elm/aliases.dir            user alias dbz directory table\
 $HOME/.elm/aliases.pag            user alias dbz hash table\
 $HOME/.elm/aliases                user alias data table\
 $HOME/.elm/elmrc                  customized mailer parameters\
 $HOME/.elm/elmheaders             customized message headers\
 /tmp/snd.$$                       outgoing mail edit buffer\
 /tmp/mbox.*logname*            temporary mailbox\
 $HOME/ELM:debug.info              Debug output if turned on

## DIAGNOSTICS

Should know about keyboards/softkey terminals other than HP.  (If only  termcap were that powerful!)

## BUG REPORTS TO

Syd Weinstein	elm@DSI.COM	(dsinc!elm)

## COPYRIGHTS

Copyright 1988-1992 by The USENET Community Trust\
 Derived from Elm 2.0,  Copyright 1986, 1987 by Dave Taylor