GNU Mailutils Manual (split by node):   Section:   Chapter:FastBack: Programs   Up: Reading Mail   FastForward: Libraries   Contents: Table of ContentsIndex: Function Index

3.5.2.17 Shell Escapes

To run arbitrary shell command from mail command prompt, use shell (sh) command. If no arguments are specified, the command starts the user login shell. Otherwise, it uses its first argument as a file name to execute and all subsequent arguments are passed as positional parameters to this command. The shell command can also be spelled as !.

This document was generated on December 11, 2025 using makeinfo.

Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.