---
name: "postfix-watch"
section: "1"
platform: "macos"
package: "postfix"
version: "1636"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/postfix-watch"
---

# postfix-watch(1)

Queue watcher for postfix.

## NAME

postfix-watch - Queue watcher for postfix.

## SYNOPSIS

```
postfix-watch
```

## DESCRIPTION

The **postfix-watch** program is essentially a helper daemon which does nothing more than watch the postfix mail drop directory and, if new mail is placed there and postfix is not running, starts postfix automatically.  If postfix is automatically started by **postfix-watch**, a timer is also set so that postfix will also be automatically shut down one hour after the queue empties. The essential purpose of **postfix-watch** is to avoid extra overhead in running postfix on machines which rarely, if ever, need to send mail.

## DIAGNOSTICS

Problems are logged to [**syslogd**(8)](/syslogd/8.md).

## FILES

```
/var/spool/postfix/maildrop, mail drop to watch
/etc/hostconfig, controls the launching of postfix-watch
```

## SEE ALSO

```
pickup(8) mail pickup daemon
postsuper(1) queue maintenance
postalias(1) maintain alias database
postdrop(1) mail posting utility
postfix(1) mail system control
postqueue(1) mail queue control
qmgr(8) queue manager
smtpd(8) SMTP server
flush(8) fast flush service
syslogd(8) system logging
```

## AUTHOR(S)

```
Jordan Hubbard
Apple Computer
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
```