tmpmail

Create a temporary inbox

$ tmpmail [[-g|--generate]]

$ tmpmail

$ tmpmail [[-r|--recent]]

$ tmpmail [email_id]

$ tmpmail [[-t|--text]]

$ tmpmail [[-b|--browser]] [browser]

tmpmail [OPTIONS] [COMMAND]

--generate, -g
    Generates a new temporary email address. This is often the default action if no other command is specified.

--list, -l
    Lists all emails received at the current temporary address, showing sender, subject, and message ID.

--read <ID>, -r <ID>
    Reads the content of a specific email message identified by its ID. The ID is usually obtained from the --list command.

--delete <ID>, -d <ID>
    Deletes a specific email message identified by its ID from the temporary mailbox.

--delete-address, -D
    Deletes the currently active temporary email address and all associated messages.

--address <ADDRESS>, -a <ADDRESS>
    Uses a pre-existing temporary email ADDRESS instead of generating a new one. Useful for continuing a session.

--domain <DOMAIN>, -m <DOMAIN>
    Specifies a custom DOMAIN to use when generating a new temporary email address. E.g., 'example.com'.

--check <INTERVAL>, -c <INTERVAL>
    Periodically checks for new emails at the specified INTERVAL (in seconds).

--wait, -w
    Waits indefinitely for new emails to arrive, checking periodically.

--no-browser
    Prevents opening a web browser when reading email content (e.g., for HTML emails).

--output <FORMAT>, -o <FORMAT>
    Specifies the output FORMAT for data, such as 'json' for programmatic use.

--auto-open
    Automatically opens new emails (e.g., in browser if content is HTML) as they arrive when checking.

--no-color
    Disables colored output in the terminal.

--version, -v
    Displays the tmpmail version information.

--help, -h
    Shows the command's help message and exits.

The tmpmail command-line utility provides a simple and efficient way to interact with temporary email services directly from your terminal. It allows users to quickly generate disposable email addresses, list incoming messages, read email content, and manage (delete) both individual messages and the temporary address itself. This is particularly useful for anonymously signing up for services, testing applications, or avoiding spam by providing a temporary address instead of your primary one. tmpmail streamlines the process of managing ephemeral mailboxes without requiring a web browser or a full-fledged email client, making it a valuable tool for developers, privacy-conscious users, and anyone needing a quick, throwaway email address.

tmpmail relies on external temporary email services. The reliability, longevity, and privacy guarantees are dependent on the chosen backend service. Emails received via these services are generally public and unencrypted. It is not recommended for sensitive communications or long-term email storage. Addresses and messages are typically ephemeral and may be automatically purged after a short period. Users should be aware of the potential for service downtime or changes in API behavior.

A common workflow involves:
1. Generating an address: tmpmail --generate
2. Using the address for registration.
3. Listing emails: tmpmail --list
4. Reading a specific email: tmpmail --read <ID>
5. Optionally, deleting messages or the address when done: tmpmail --delete <ID> or tmpmail --delete-address.

It's crucial to understand that temporary email services, by their nature, are not secure or private. They are designed for convenience and anonymity in registration, not for confidential communication. Anyone can potentially view messages sent to a public temporary address if they know the address or can guess it. Therefore, never use tmpmail for sensitive information, personal accounts, or anything you wouldn't want publicly accessible.

While specific official history for tmpmail as a standalone project can vary (as there might be multiple implementations, e.g., Python-based scripts), the concept of temporary email services (like Mailinator, Mail.tm, Guerrilla Mail) has existed for many years to combat spam and provide disposable addresses. Command-line wrappers like tmpmail emerged to provide a more direct, terminal-centric interface to these web services, fitting into the Unix philosophy of chaining tools. Its development typically focuses on ease of use and integration with popular temporary mail APIs, evolving with the underlying services it connects to.

mail(1), sendmail(8), mutt(1), curl(1)