muttrc

Muttrc is the configuration file used by Mutt, a text-based email client for Unix-like systems. The file, typically named muttrc and located as ~/.muttrc in a user’s home directory or as a system-wide file such as /etc/Muttrc, is a plain-text script that tells Mutt how to handle accounts, mail folders, signatures, and the user interface. The configuration language is lightweight and based on commands and options that control sending, receiving, filtering, and display settings.

Muttrc configurations use statements such as set, macro, folder-hook, and source. The set command assigns values to options, for example set from="Your Name <[email protected]>", set smtp_url="smtp://host:587", and set imap_user="[email protected]" along with imap_pass for IMAP access. Mail storage and retrieval are configured with mailbox, folder, and spoolfile directives; folder-hook blocks apply settings to specific folders. Macros bind sequences of commands to keys, and color directives influence the interface. The source directive can include additional files to modularize configuration. Comments typically begin with a hash character (#) and are ignored. A muttrc is loaded at startup, and its settings determine Mutt’s behavior during use; because it is plaintext, sensitive data may be stored there, so secure handling is advised.