NAME

       comp - compose an nmh message

SYNOPSIS

       comp [-help] [-version] [+folder] [msg] [-form formfile] [-use | -nouse] [-file file] [-draftfolder
            +folder] [-draftmessage msg] [-nodraftfolder] [-editor editor] [-noedit] [-width columns] [-from
            address] [-to address] [-cc address] [-fcc +folder] [-subject text] [-whatnowproc program]
            [-nowhatnowproc] [-build]

DESCRIPTION

       comp  is used to create a new message to be mailed.  It copies a message form to the draft being composed
       and then invokes an editor on the draft (unless -noedit is given, in  which  case  the  initial  edit  is
       suppressed).

       The default message template “components” will direct comp to construct the message draft as follows:

            From: {from switch} or <Local-Mailbox> or <username@hostname>
            To: {to switch} or blank
            cc: {cc switch} or blank
            Fcc: {fcc switch} or +outbox
            Subject: {subject switch} or blank
            --------

       If  a  file  named “components” exists in the user's nmh directory, it will be used instead of this form.
       You may specify an alternate forms file with the switch -form formfile.

       You may also start comp using the contents of an existing message as the form.  If you  supply  either  a
       +folder  or msg argument, that message will be used as the message form.  You may not supply both a -form
       formfile and a +folder or msg argument.  The line of dashes or a blank line  must  be  left  between  the
       header  and  the  body  of  the  message  for  the message to be identified properly when it is sent (see
       send(1)).

       The switch -use directs comp to continue editing an already started message.  That  is,  if  a  comp  (or
       dist,  repl,  or  forw)  is terminated without sending the draft, the draft can be edited again via “comp
       -use”.

       The -file file switch says to use the named file as the message draft.

       Forms that are selected via the -form switch are processed via the nmh template system; see  mh-format(5)
       for  details.   Drafts  constructed  from  another message or with the -use or -file switches will not be
       processed with mh-format(5).

       In addition to the standard mh-format(5) escapes, the following component escapes are either new or  have
       an alternate meaning:

            Escape  Returns  Description
            fcc     string   Any folders specified with `-fcc folder'
            from    string   Any addresses specified with `-from address'
            to      string   Any addresses specified with `-to address'
            cc      string   Any addresses specified with `-cc address'
            subject string   Any text specified with `-subject text'

       By  default  the  “To:”  and  “cc:” fields are empty.  You may add addresses to these fields with the -to
       address and -cc address switches.  You may give these switches multiple times to add multiple addresses.

       By default the “From:” field has either the value of the Local-Mailbox profile entry or a system  default
       email address.  This default can be overridden by using the -from address switch.  The default mailbox in
       the “Fcc:” field is +outbox.  This can be overridden by the -fcc switch.

       Any text you give to the -subject switch will be placed in the “Subject:” field in the draft.

       If  the draft already exists, comp will ask you as to the disposition of the draft.  A reply of quit will
       abort comp, leaving the draft intact; replace will replace the existing draft with the appropriate  form;
       list will display the draft; use will use the draft for further composition; and refile +folder will file
       the draft in the given folder, and give you a new draft with the appropriate form.  (The +folder argument
       to refile is required.)

       The -draftfolder +folder and -draftmessage msg switches invoke the nmh draft folder facility.  This is an
       advanced (and highly useful) feature.  Consult mh-draft(5) for more information.

       The  -editor  editor  switch  indicates  the  editor  to use for the initial edit.  Upon exiting from the
       editor, comp will invoke the whatnow program (see whatnow(1) for a discussion of available options).  The
       invocation of this program can be inhibited by using the -nowhatnowproc switch.   (In  fact,  it  is  the
       whatnow  program  which  starts  the  initial  edit.   Hence,  -nowhatnowproc  will prevent any edit from
       occurring.)

       The -build switch is intended to be used by the Emacs mh-e interface to nmh.  It implies  -nowhatnowproc.
       It  causes  a  file  <mh-dir>/draft  to  be  created, containing the draft message that would normally be
       presented to the user for editing.  No mail is actually sent.

FILES

       /etc/nmh/components The default message skeleton.
       <mh-dir>/components The user's message skeleton.
       $HOME/.mh_profile   The user's profile.

PROFILE COMPONENTS

       Path:               To determine the user's nmh directory.
       Draft-Folder:       To specify the default draftfolder.
       Editor:             To override the default editor.
       Msg-Protect:        To set mode when creating a new message (draft).
       fileproc:           Program to refile the message.
       whatnowproc:        Program to ask the “What now?” questions

SEE ALSO

       dist(1), forw(1), repl(1), send(1), whatnow(1), mh-draft(5), mh-profile(5)

DEFAULTS

       +folder             The current folder.
       msg                 The current message.
       -nodraftfolder
       -nouse

CONTEXT

       None

BUGS

       If whatnowproc is whatnow, then comp uses a built-in whatnow,  it  does  not  actually  run  the  whatnow
       program.  Hence, if you define your own whatnowproc, don't call it whatnow since comp won't run it.

nmh-1.8                                            2022-12-22                                          COMP(1mh)