dovecot

dovecot [options] [command]

Dovecot is an open-source IMAP and POP3 email server for Unix-like systems. It provides secure, fast, and standards-compliant access to email stored on the server.The server supports various authentication methods, virtual users, and mailbox formats including Maildir and mbox. It is designed for both small and large-scale deployments with features like quota management and full-text search.Dovecot's modular architecture allows plugins for LDAP authentication, Sieve filtering, and integration with other mail system components. The -F flag is commonly used in container environments or with process supervisors.

-F

Run in foreground, do not daemonize

Print non-default configuration and exit

Print all configuration settings and exit

Use specified configuration file instead of /etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf

Prompt for SSL key password on startup

Reload configuration without restarting

Stop the running daemon

Show build options and exit

Show version and exit

/etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf

Main configuration file for protocols, authentication, and mail storage settings.

Modular configuration directory for protocol-specific and feature-specific settings.

Requires proper configuration before use. TLS certificate setup needed for secure connections. Permission issues common with mailbox access. Use dovecot -n to verify configuration before deploying changes.

Dovecot was created by Timo Sirainen and first released in 2002. It was designed as a secure, fast alternative to existing IMAP servers, emphasizing correctness and standards compliance.

postfix(1), doveadm(1)