---
name: "whatnow"
section: "1mh"
platform: "linux"
package: "nmh"
version: "1.8-3"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/whatnow/1mh"
---

# whatnow(1mh)

prompting front-end for writing nmh messages

## NAME

whatnow - prompting front-end for writing nmh messages

## SYNOPSIS

**whatnow** \[**-help**\] \[**-version**\] \[**-draftfolder** *+folder*\] \[**-draftmessage** *msg*\] \[**-nodraftfolder**\] \[**-editor** *editor*\] \[**-noedit**\] \[**-prompt** *string*\] \[*file*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**whatnow** is the default program that queries the user about the disposition of a composed draft.  It is normally automatically invoked by one of the **nmh** commands **comp**, **dist**, **forw**, or **repl** after the initial edit.

When started, the editor is started on the draft (unless **-noedit** is given, in which case the initial edit is suppressed).  Then, **whatnow** repetitively prompts the user with “What now?” and awaits a response.  The valid responses are:

- **edit**

  Re-edit using the same editor that was used on the preceding round unless a profile entry “\<lasteditor\>-next: \<editor\>” names an alternate editor.

- **edit** *editor*

  Invoke *editor* for further editing.

- **refile** *+folder*

  Refile the draft into *folder .*

- **mime**

  Process the draft as a MIME composition file using the *buildmimeproc* command which defaults to [*mhbuild*(1)](/mhbuild/1.md).

- **display**

  List the message being replied to or distributed on the terminal.

- **list**

  List the draft on the terminal.

- **send**

  Send the message.

- **send -watch**

  Send the message and monitor the delivery process.

- **push**

  Send the message in the background.

- **whom**

  List the addresses to whom the message will go.

- **whom -check**

  List the addresses and verify that they are acceptable to the transport service.

- **quit**

  Preserve the draft and exit.

- **quit -delete**

  Delete the draft and exit.

- **delete**

  Delete the draft and exit.

- **cd** *directory*

  Use *directory* when interpreting attachment file names. This does not change *whatnow*'s process's current working directory so it and child processes, e.g. *edit*'s, do not see the change.

- **pwd**

  Print the working directory for attachment files.

- **ls** \[*ls-options*\]

  List files in the attachment working directory using [*ls*(1)](/ls/1.md).

- **attach \[-v\]** *files*

  Add the named files to the message as MIME attachments; **-v** displays the [*mhbuild*(1)](/mhbuild/1.md) directive that [*send*(1)](/send/1.md) will use.

- **alist \[-ln\]**

  List the MIME attachments' filenames. **-l** gives a long listing showing their full path. **-n** numbers them for use with **detach .**

- **detach \[-n\]** *files-or-numbers*

  Remove MIME attachments, either by file name or by number with **-n**.

When entering your response, you need only type enough characters to uniquely identify the response.

For the **edit** response, any valid switch to the editor is valid.

For the **send** and **push** responses, any valid switch to [*send*(1)](/send/1.md) is valid (as **push** merely invokes **send** with the **-push** option).

For the **whom** response, any valid switch to [*whom*(1)](/whom/1.md) is valid.

For the **refile** response, any valid switch to the *fileproc* is valid.

For the **display** and **list** responses, any valid argument to the *lproc* is valid.  If any non-switch arguments are present, then the pathname of the draft will be excluded from the argument list given to the *lproc* (this is useful for listing another **nmh** message).

See [*mh-profile*(5)](/mh-profile/5.md) for further information about how editors are used by **nmh**. It also discusses how environment variables can be used to direct **whatnow**'s actions in complex ways.

The **-prompt** *string* switch sets the prompting string for **whatnow**.

The **-draftfolder** *+folder* and **-draftmessage** *msg* switches invoke the **nmh** draft folder facility.  This is an advanced (and highly useful) feature.  Consult [*mh-draft*(5)](/mh-draft/5.md) for more information.

If your **nmh** was configured with readline enabled, you'll be able to use filename completion and other readline features at the prompt.  These are particularly useful with the **cd**, **ls**, **attach**, and **detach** commands for managing MIME attachments.

## FILES

```
^$HOME/.mh_profile~^The user profile
^<mh-dir>/draft~^The draft file
```

## PROFILE COMPONENTS

```
^Path:~^To determine the user's nmh directory
^Draft-Folder:~^To specify the default draftfolder
^Editor:~^To override the default editor
^<lasteditor>-next:~^To name an editor to be used after exit
^~^from <lasteditor>
^buildmimeproc:~^Program to translate MIME composition files
^fileproc:~^Program to refile the message
^lproc:~^Program to list the contents of a message
^sendproc:~^Program to use to send the message
^whomproc:~^Program to determine who a message would go to
```

## SEE ALSO

[*mh-draft*(5)](/mh-draft/5.md), [*send*(1)](/send/1.md), [*whom*(1)](/whom/1.md)

## DEFAULTS

```
`-prompt' defaults to “What Now? ”
```

## BUGS

If the initial edit fails, **whatnow** deletes your draft (by renaming it with a site-dependent prefix (usually a comma); failure of a later edit preserves the draft.

If the *buildmimeproc* fails (returns a nonzero status), **whatnow** simply prints a “What now?” prompt. **whatnow** depends on the *buildmimeproc* to tell the user that something went wrong.

If *whatnowproc* is **whatnow**, then **comp**, **dist**, **forw**, and **repl** use a built-in **whatnow**, and do not actually run the **whatnow** program.  Hence, if you define your own *whatnowproc*, don't call it **whatnow** since it won't be run.

If *sendproc* is **send**, then **whatnow** uses a built-in **send**, it does not actually run the **send** program.  Hence, if you define your own *sendproc*, don't call it **send** since **whatnow** won't run it.