---
name: "lei-tag"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "lei"
version: "2.1.0-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lei-tag"
---

# lei-tag(1)

set/unset metadata on messages

## NAME

lei-tag - set/unset metadata on messages

## SYNOPSIS

lei tag \[OPTIONS\] FILE \[FILE...\] METADATA \[METADATA...\]

lei tag \[OPTIONS\] (-\|--stdin) METADATA \[METADATA...\]

## DESCRIPTION

Set or unset volatile metadata on messages.  In JMAP terms, "volatile metadata" includes "mailboxes" (analogous to a folder or label) and a restricted set of "keywords".  This supported keywords are the combination of system keywords (seen, answered, flagged, and draft), which map to Maildir flags and mbox Status/X-Status headers, as well as reserved keywords (forwarded, phishing, junk, and notjunk).

To add a label or keyword, prefix it with "+L:" and "+kw:", respectively.  To remove a label or keyword, use "-L:" or "-kw:".  For example, "+kw:flagged" would set the "flagged" keyword for the specified messages, and "-L:INBOX" would remove the "INBOX" label.

## OPTIONS

- \-F MAIL\_FORMAT

  - \--in-format=MAIL\_FORMAT

  Message input format: `"eml"`, `"mboxrd"`, `"mboxcl2"`, `"mboxcl"`, or `"mboxo"`.

  Default: `"eml"`

- \-q

  - \--quiet

  Suppress feedback messages.

## LABELS

Labels are user-defined values analogous to IMAP/JMAP mailbox names.  They must only contain lowercase characters, digits, and a limited amount of punctuation (e.g. `"."`, `"-"`, `"@"`).

Messages may have multiple labels.

## KEYWORDS

Keywords are "flags" in Maildir and IMAP terminology. Common keywords include: `"seen"`, `"answered"`, `"flagged"`, and `"draft"`, though `"forwarded"`, `"phishing"`, `"junk"`, and `"notjunk"` are also supported.

When writing to various mboxes, the common keywords will be mapped to the `"Status"` and `"X-Status"` headers.

Messages may have multiple keywords.

## CONTACT

Feedback welcome via plain-text mail to \<mailto:meta@public-inbox.org\>

The mail archives are hosted at \<https://public-inbox.org/meta/\> and \<http://4uok3hntl7oi7b4uf4rtfwefqeexfzil2w6kgk2jn5z2f764irre7byd.onion/meta/\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright 2021 all contributors \<mailto:meta@public-inbox.org\>

License: AGPL-3.0+ \<https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.txt\>

## SEE ALSO

[**lei-add-external**(1)](/lei-add-external/1.md)