---
name: "mhmail"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "nmh"
version: "1.5-release-0.2"
release: "Debian 7 (Wheezy)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/mhmail"
---

# mhmail(1)

send or read mail

## NAME

mhmail - send or read mail

## SYNOPSIS

**mhmail** \[*addrs* ...\] \[**-body** *text*\] \[**-cc** *addrs* ...\] \[**-from** *addr*\] \[**-subject** *subject*\] \[**-version**\] \[**-help**\]

## DESCRIPTION

**mhmail** is intended as a replacement for the standard Berkeley mail program (**mail** or **mailx**), which is compatible with **nmh**. This program is intended for the use of programs such as **cron**, which expect to send mail automatically to various users.  It is also used by various **nmh** commands to mail various error notifications.  Although **mhmail** can be used interactively, it is recommended that **comp** and **send** be used instead to send messages.

When invoked without arguments, it simply invokes **inc** to incorporate new messages from the user's maildrop.  When one or more users is specified, a message is read from the standard input and spooled to a temporary file. **mhmail** then invokes **post** with the name of the temporary file as its argument to deliver the message to the specified user.

The **-subject** *subject* switch can be used to specify the “Subject:” field of the message.

By default, **mhmail** will read the message to be sent from the standard input.  You can specify the text of the message at the command line with the **-body** *text* switch.  If the standard input has zero length, **mhmail** will not send the message.  You can use the switch **-body** “” to force an empty message.

Normally, addresses appearing as arguments are put in the “To:” field.  If the **-cc** switch is used, all addresses following it are placed in the “cc:” field.

By using **-from** *addr*, you can specify the “From:” header of the draft.  Naturally, **post** will fill-in the “Sender:” header correctly.

## FILES

```
^/usr/bin/mh/inc~^Program to incorporate maildrop into folder
^/usr/lib/mh/post~^Program to deliver a message
^/tmp/mhmail*~^Temporary copy of message
```

## SEE ALSO

[inc(1)](/inc/1.md), [post(8)](/post/8.md)

## DEFAULTS

None

## CONTEXT

If **inc** is invoked, then **inc**'s context changes occur.