fetchmail

Fetch mail from server

$ fetchmail

$ fetchmail [mail.example.com]

$ fetchmail -k

$ fetchmail -c

$ fetchmail -v

$ fetchmail -d [300]

$ fetchmail -f [~/.fetchmailrc]

fetchmail [options] [servers...]

fetchmail retrieves mail from remote servers and forwards it to the local mail system. It supports POP3, IMAP, ETRN, and ODMR protocols with SSL/TLS encryption.
The tool is configured through ~/.fetchmailrc or command-line options. It can run as a daemon, periodically checking for new mail, and integrates with local MTAs.

-c, --check

Check for mail only, don't fetch.

Keep messages on server.

Fetch all messages (including seen).

Daemon mode with poll interval.

Use alternate config file.

Remote username.

Protocol (pop3, imap, etc.).

Use SSL/TLS.

Verbose output.

Kill running daemon.

Passwords in config file need protection. SSL verification recommended. Large mailboxes may be slow. Local MTA must accept forwarded mail.

fetchmail was originally written by Carl Harris as popclient in 1993. Eric S. Raymond took over development in 1996, renaming it fetchmail and adding IMAP support. It became a standard tool for pulling mail from remote servers.

procmail(1), mutt(1), getmail(1), isstrut(1)