mailbox.
$ mailbox --imap --smtp --mode simple|expert
A mail client that adapts to you: simple mode shows only what you need to do email — expert mode unlocks the folder tree, moving, source view, server-side search and keyboard shortcuts. IMAP/SMTP for any mailbox, passwords in the system keychain, no telemetry. Native for macOS, Windows and Linux.
In development — first beta coming
mailbox is being built right now: accounts with server presets, folders, reading, composing, replying and forwarding with attachments — both modes from day one. The first beta for macOS, Windows and Linux ships with signed in-app updates; push (IDLE), threading and rules grow in with updates.
Downloads go live as soon as the first beta passes our own testing.
Two modes, one mailbox
// simple when you want it — expert when you need it
Mail apps are either bare or bloated: some hide the folder tree, others bury the inbox under toolbars. mailbox separates the two cleanly — one switch, two interfaces, the same mailbox. Start simple and switch up when you need more.
// simple
Just the essentials
Inbox, Sent, Drafts, Trash. Read, reply, forward, delete, save an attachment, star it. One search, one compose window — no toolbar you never use.
// expert
Everything IMAP offers
Full folder tree with counts, move to any folder, multi-select, server-side search by subject, sender or text, source and headers, unified inbox across accounts, keyboard shortcuts.
// private
Images stay out
HTML mail renders in a sandboxed view: remote images — and with them tracking pixels — load only when you say so. Passwords live in the system keychain, not in a text file.
// the LAN-SOLO way
Native & honest
No Electron bloat, no account with us, no telemetry: mailbox talks directly to your mail server — and to no one else.
// And since we keep it honest: mailbox is neither a mail server nor a spam filter. It shows your mailbox as it is — sorted where you sort.
Features
// planned for version 1.0
Any mailbox via IMAP/SMTP
Accounts in a minute: enter your email address, servers are suggested from presets and heuristics, connection test included. TLS and STARTTLS, multiple accounts side by side.
Simple mode
The role folders, one list, one reading pane. New, reply, reply all, forward, delete, archive, star — there are no more buttons than that.
Expert mode
Folder tree, moving, multi-select, server-side search with scope, source and header view, unified inbox, keyboard shortcuts, create folders and empty the trash.
Compose without detours
Plain text first, a signature per account, attachments via dialog, replies with clean quoting and correct thread headers — a copy lands in Sent automatically, drafts on the server.
Rules & snoozesorted
Filters that sort on fetch: move to folders by sender, subject or list header, flag, mark as read — plus snooze (“show me again tomorrow”) and scheduled send.
Encryption & templatessorted
OpenPGP and S/MIME for signing and encrypting, text snippets with shortcuts and reply templates — for everyone who writes the same three emails every day.
Pricing
// both modes free — sorted tidies up
Free
Read, write, sort — in both modes
- IMAP/SMTP with presets and connection test, multiple accounts
- Simple mode and expert mode — switch anytime
- Read, reply, forward, attachments, drafts, server-side search
- Remote images blocked, passwords in the system keychain
- Native for macOS, Windows and Linux — no account, no telemetry
sorted
For mailboxes that tidy themselves
- Everything in Free
- Rules: move, flag, mark as read on fetch
- Snooze and scheduled send
- OpenPGP and S/MIME — sign and encrypt
- Text snippets and reply templates
- Priority updates
Free stays free — for good, no strings attached. mailbox sorted: €12 a year, that’s €1 a month. Incl. VAT, billed yearly, cancel anytime.
// Honest as always: large providers with two-factor login require an app password for IMAP — OAuth sign-in follows in a later version. mailbox rejects self-signed certificates instead of silently accepting them. And on Linux the keychain needs a Secret Service; if it’s missing, mailbox says so and stores the password locally with a warning.