---
name: "ipurge"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "cyrus-common-2.4"
version: "2.4.16-4+deb7u2"
release: "Debian 7 (Wheezy)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ipurge"
---

# ipurge(8)

delete mail from IMAP mailbox or partition based on age or size

 \*

## NAME

ipurge - delete mail from IMAP mailbox or partition based on age or size

## SYNOPSIS

**ipurge** \[ **-f** \] \[ **-C** *config-file* \] \[ **-x** \] \[ **-X** \] \[ **-i** \] \[ **-s** \] \[ **-o** \]\
\
        \[ **-d** *days* \| **-b** *bytes* \| **-k** *Kbytes* \| **-m** *Mbytes* \]\
\
        \[ *mailbox-pattern*... \]

## DESCRIPTION

*Ipurge* deletes messages from the mailbox(es) specified by *mailbox-pattern* that are older or larger than specified by the **-d**, **-b**, **-k** or **-m** options.  If no *mailbox-pattern* is given, *ipurge* works on all mailboxes.  If the **-x** option is given, the message age and size MUST match exactly those specified by **-d**, **-b**, **-k** or **-m**.  The are no default values, and at least one of **-d**, **-b**, **-k** or **-m** MUST be specified.

*Ipurge* by default only deletes mail below shared folders, which means that mails in mailbox(es) below INBOX.\* and user.\* stay untouched. Use the option **-f** to also delete mail in mailbox(es) below these folders.

*Ipurge* reads its configuration options out of the [*imapd.conf*(5)](/imapd.conf/5.md) file unless specified otherwise by **-C**.

## OPTIONS

- **-f**

  Force deletion of mail in *all* mailboxes.

- **-C** *config-file*

  Read configuration options from *config-file*.

- **-d** *days*

  Age of message in *days*.

- **-b** *bytes*

  Size of message in *bytes*.

- **-k** *Kbytes*

  Size of message in *Kbytes* (2^10 bytes).

- **-m** *Mbytes*

  Size of message in *Mbytes* (2^20 bytes).

- **-x**

  Perform an exact match on age or size (instead of older or larger).

- **-X**

  Use delivery time instead of Date: header for date matches

- **-i**

  Invert match logic: -x means not equal, date is for newer, size is for smaller

- **-s**

  Skip over messages that have the \\Flagged flag set.

- **-o**

  Only purge messages that have the \\Deleted flag set.

## FILES

- **/etc/imapd.conf**