proton mail

Every command under proton mail, with the arguments and flags it takes. For these commands in use, see the guide.

Holds conversations, drafts, messages and settings.

conversations

Whole threads.

Holds attachments, delete, export, forward, get, label, list, mark, move, reply, snooze, star, trash, unlabel, unsnooze and unstar.

conversations attachments

Files attached anywhere in a thread.

Holds download and list.

conversations attachments download

Download and decrypt attachments from a thread.

proton mail conversations attachments download REF [ATTACHMENT_REF]

proton mail conversations attachments download 'Quarterly numbers' --output-dir .

Flag	Description
--force	Overwrite a file that already exists
--include-inline	Include inline attachments
--output string	Write to this path, or - for stdout
--output-dir string	Write into this directory, keeping each item’s own name

conversations attachments list

List every attachment in a thread.

proton mail conversations attachments list REF

proton mail conversations attachments list 'Quarterly numbers'

Flag	Description
--include-inline	Include inline attachments

conversations delete

Delete threads permanently.

proton mail conversations delete [REF...]

proton mail conversations delete 5bH2mQxK

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations export

Write a whole thread out as .eml files or one mbox.

proton mail conversations export REF

proton mail conversations export 'Quarterly numbers' --output-dir ./backup

Flag	Description
--force	Overwrite a file that already exists
--format string	How to lay the thread down: eml, mbox (default mbox)
--no-attachments	Skip attachments
--output string	Write to this path, or - for stdout
--output-dir string	Write into this directory, keeping each item’s own name

conversations forward

Forward the newest message in a thread.

proton mail conversations forward REF

proton mail conversations forward 'Quarterly numbers' --to jane@example.com

Flag	Description
--attach stringArray	File to attach (repeatable)
--attach-inline stringArray	Image to embed in the HTML body by Content-ID (repeatable; needs –html)
--bcc stringArray	Blind-carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--body string	Your text, placed above the quoted original (- reads stdin)
--cc stringArray	Carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--draft	Save as a draft instead of sending
--eo-password string	Password-protect the message for recipients outside Proton (expires after 28 days)
--eo-password-hint string	Hint shown to password-protected recipients
--expires string	Self-destruct after DURATION (e.g. 7d, 24h)
--from string	Address to send from, by email or ID (default: your primary)
--html	Compose in HTML (default: match the original)
--no-attachments	Leave the original’s attachments behind
--no-quote	Do not quote the original message
--no-signature	Leave out this address’s signature and Proton’s footer
--send-at string	Schedule delivery (RFC 3339, or YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM in the system timezone)
--to stringArray	Recipient (repeatable; accepts “Name ”)

conversations get

Show a whole thread, decrypted.

proton mail conversations get REF

proton mail conversations get 'Quarterly numbers'
proton mail conversations get 5bH2mQxK --summary

Flag	Description
--body-only	Emit only the bodies, with no headers or dividers
--include-inline	List inline attachments too
--render string	Which representation of the body to print: text, html, raw (default text)
--strip-quotes	Drop quoted reply blocks from each body
--summary	One line per message instead of the full thread

conversations label

Attach a label to threads.

proton mail conversations label [REF...]

proton mail conversations label 'Quarterly numbers' --label Accounting

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--label string	The label to attach or detach, by name or ID
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations list

List threads in a folder.

The filters are the ones every organising verb takes, so a selection can be read here and then handed to one of them. Text predicates go through Proton’s index, which lags a change by a few seconds.

It looks in the inbox unless told otherwise; –folder all searches everything.

proton mail conversations list

proton mail conversations list
proton mail conversations list --unread --folder inbox
proton mail conversations list --from jane@example.com --folder all

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: inbox)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--page int	Which page of results, counting from zero
--page-size int	How many threads per page (default 25)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations mark

Set whether threads count as read.

Holds read and unread.

conversations mark read

Mark threads as read.

proton mail conversations mark read [REF...]

proton mail conversations mark read 'Quarterly numbers'
proton mail conversations mark read --folder inbox --all

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations mark unread

Mark threads as unread.

proton mail conversations mark unread [REF...]

proton mail conversations mark unread 'Quarterly numbers'

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations move

Move threads to a folder.

proton mail conversations move [REF...]

proton mail conversations move 'Quarterly numbers' --into archive
proton mail conversations move --older-than 90d --folder inbox --into archive

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--into string	Destination folder, by name or ID
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations reply

Reply to the newest message in a thread.

proton mail conversations reply REF

proton mail conversations reply 'Quarterly numbers' --body 'Looks right to me.'
proton mail conversations reply 'Quarterly numbers' --everyone --body Agreed.

Flag	Description
--attach stringArray	File to attach (repeatable)
--attach-inline stringArray	Image to embed in the HTML body by Content-ID (repeatable; needs –html)
--bcc stringArray	Blind-carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--body string	Your text, placed above the quoted original (- reads stdin)
--cc stringArray	Carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--draft	Save as a draft instead of sending
--eo-password string	Password-protect the message for recipients outside Proton (expires after 28 days)
--eo-password-hint string	Hint shown to password-protected recipients
--everyone	Reply to everyone who was on the message, not just the sender
--expires string	Self-destruct after DURATION (e.g. 7d, 24h)
--from string	Address to send from, by email or ID (default: your primary)
--html	Compose in HTML (default: match the original)
--no-quote	Do not quote the original message
--no-signature	Leave out this address’s signature and Proton’s footer
--send-at string	Schedule delivery (RFC 3339, or YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM in the system timezone)
--to stringArray	Recipient (repeatable; accepts “Name ”)

conversations snooze

Take threads out of the inbox until later.

–until takes a duration from now, such as 3d, or a moment written out in full, such as 2026-04-17T09:00. The thread returns to the inbox then, unread.

proton mail conversations snooze [REF...]

proton mail conversations snooze 5bH2mQxK --until 3d
proton mail conversations snooze --unread --until 2026-04-17T09:00

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages
--until string	When they come back (e.g. 3d, or 2026-04-17T09:00)

conversations star

Star threads.

proton mail conversations star [REF...]

proton mail conversations star 'Quarterly numbers'

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations trash

Move threads to the trash.

proton mail conversations trash [REF...]

proton mail conversations trash 'Quarterly numbers'
proton mail conversations trash --from newsletter@example.com --older-than 90d

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations unlabel

Detach a label from threads.

proton mail conversations unlabel [REF...]

proton mail conversations unlabel 'Quarterly numbers' --label Accounting

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--label string	The label to attach or detach, by name or ID
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations unsnooze

Bring snoozed threads back to the inbox now.

proton mail conversations unsnooze [REF...]

proton mail conversations unsnooze 5bH2mQxK

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

conversations unstar

Remove the star from threads.

proton mail conversations unstar [REF...]

proton mail conversations unstar 'Quarterly numbers'

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

drafts

Messages not yet sent.

Holds create, delete, list, send and update.

drafts create

Save a draft without sending it.

proton mail drafts create

proton mail drafts create --to team@example.com --subject Standup --body 'Notes to follow.'
proton mail drafts create --to jane@example.com --subject Report --attach ./report.pdf

Flag	Description
--attach stringArray	File to attach (repeatable)
--attach-inline stringArray	Image to embed in the HTML body by Content-ID (repeatable; needs –html)
--bcc stringArray	Blind-carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--body string	Message body (- reads stdin)
--cc stringArray	Carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--eml string	Build the message from an RFC 822 file; other flags override what it says
--from string	Address to send from, by email or ID (default: your primary)
--html	Treat the body as HTML rather than plain text
--no-signature	Leave out this address’s signature and Proton’s footer
--subject string	Subject line
--to stringArray	Recipient (repeatable; accepts “Name ”)

drafts delete

Delete drafts.

proton mail drafts delete REF...

proton mail drafts delete 5bH2mQxK

drafts list

List drafts.

proton mail drafts list

proton mail drafts list

Flag	Description
--page int	Which page of results, counting from zero
--page-size int	How many drafts per page (default 25)

drafts send

Send a draft as it stands.

Its body already contains whatever signature it was created with, so nothing is appended.

proton mail drafts send REF

proton mail drafts send 5bH2mQxK
proton mail drafts send 5bH2mQxK --send-at 2026-04-16T09:00

Flag	Description
--eo-password string	Password-protect the message for recipients outside Proton (expires after 28 days)
--eo-password-hint string	Hint shown to password-protected recipients
--expires string	Self-destruct after DURATION (e.g. 7d, 24h)
--send-at string	Schedule delivery (RFC 3339, or YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM in the system timezone)

drafts update

Change a draft. Only what you pass is replaced; everything else is kept.

–to, –cc and –bcc replace the whole list rather than adding to it. –attach adds files and –detach removes one by name or ID.

proton mail drafts update REF

proton mail drafts update 5bH2mQxK --body 'Notes attached.'
proton mail drafts update 5bH2mQxK --detach report.pdf

Flag	Description
--attach stringArray	File to attach (repeatable)
--attach-inline stringArray	Image to embed in the HTML body by Content-ID (repeatable; needs –html)
--bcc stringArray	Blind-carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--body string	Message body (- reads stdin)
--cc stringArray	Carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--detach stringArray	Remove an attachment by name or ID (repeatable)
--from string	Address to send from, by email or ID (default: your primary)
--html	Switch the draft to text/html
--no-signature	Leave out this address’s signature and Proton’s footer
--plain	Switch the draft to text/plain
--subject string	Subject line
--to stringArray	Recipient (repeatable; accepts “Name ”)

messages

Individual messages.

Holds attachments, delete, empty, expire, export, forward, get, label, list, mark, move, reply, send, star, trash, unlabel, unschedule, unstar, unsubscribe and watch.

messages attachments

Files attached to a message.

Holds download and list.

messages attachments download

Download and decrypt attachments.

Naming an attachment downloads that one; naming none downloads them all. Existing files are never overwritten silently: a collision becomes “file (2).pdf” unless –force says otherwise.

proton mail messages attachments download REF [ATTACHMENT_REF]

proton mail messages attachments download 'Invoice #2291' --output-dir .
proton mail messages attachments download 5bH2mQxK kQ81mDx4 --output invoice.pdf

Flag	Description
--force	Overwrite a file that already exists
--include-inline	Include inline attachments when downloading them all
--output string	Write to this path, or - for stdout
--output-dir string	Write into this directory, keeping each item’s own name

messages attachments list

List a message’s attachments.

proton mail messages attachments list REF

proton mail messages attachments list 'Invoice #2291'
proton mail messages attachments list 5bH2mQxK --include-inline

Flag	Description
--include-inline	Include inline attachments, such as signature graphics

messages delete

Delete messages permanently.

proton mail messages delete [REF...]

proton mail messages delete 5bH2mQxK
proton mail messages delete --folder spam --all --yes

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages empty

Delete everything in a folder, permanently.

Nothing is listed first: Proton clears the folder without naming what was in it, which is why this cannot be narrowed and why it always asks.

proton mail messages empty

proton mail messages empty --folder trash
proton mail messages empty --folder spam

Flag	Description
--folder string	Folder or label to look in

messages expire

Make messages delete themselves after a while, or stop them.

–in takes a duration and Proton stores the moment it lands on, so a message already counting down reports when rather than how long.

proton mail messages expire [REF...]

proton mail messages expire 5bH2mQxK --in 7d
proton mail messages expire --from newsletter@example.com --in 30d
proton mail messages expire 5bH2mQxK --never

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--in string	Delete them after DURATION (e.g. 7d, 24h)
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--never	Stop them expiring
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--password-file string	Read the account password from a file
--password-stdin	Read the account password from stdin
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--totp string	Two-factor code
--unread	Match unread messages

messages export

Write messages out as standalone RFC 822 documents, readable by any mail client, grep, or anything else.

eml writes one file per message; mbox concatenates everything into one stream. Skipping attachments with –no-attachments is much faster for a large archive.

Exported files are not encrypted - that is what exporting means. The original DKIM signatures will not verify against the rebuilt body either, exactly as with the web client’s own export.

proton mail messages export [REF...]

proton mail messages export 'Invoice #2291' --output-dir ./backup
proton mail messages export --folder archive --all --output-dir ./mail-backup
proton mail messages export --folder archive --older-than 1y --format mbox --output archive.mbox

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--force	Overwrite a file that already exists
--format string	How to lay the messages down: eml, mbox (default eml)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--no-attachments	Skip attachments, which is much faster
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--output string	Write to this path, or - for stdout
--output-dir string	Write into this directory, keeping each item’s own name
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages forward

Forward a message.

The original is quoted below your text with its own headers, the subject gains “Fw:”, and its attachments come along without being re-uploaded.

proton mail messages forward REF

proton mail messages forward 'Invoice #2291' --to jane@example.com
proton mail messages forward 'Invoice #2291' --to jane@example.com --no-attachments

Flag	Description
--attach stringArray	File to attach (repeatable)
--attach-inline stringArray	Image to embed in the HTML body by Content-ID (repeatable; needs –html)
--bcc stringArray	Blind-carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--body string	Your text, placed above the quoted original (- reads stdin)
--cc stringArray	Carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--draft	Save as a draft instead of sending
--eo-password string	Password-protect the message for recipients outside Proton (expires after 28 days)
--eo-password-hint string	Hint shown to password-protected recipients
--expires string	Self-destruct after DURATION (e.g. 7d, 24h)
--from string	Address to send from, by email or ID (default: your primary)
--html	Compose in HTML (default: match the original)
--no-attachments	Leave the original’s attachments behind
--no-quote	Do not quote the original message
--no-signature	Leave out this address’s signature and Proton’s footer
--send-at string	Schedule delivery (RFC 3339, or YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM in the system timezone)
--to stringArray	Recipient (repeatable; accepts “Name ”)

messages get

Show one message, decrypted.

proton mail messages get REF

proton mail messages get 'Invoice #2291'
proton mail messages get 5bH2mQxK --render html
proton mail messages get 5bH2mQxK --body-only --strip-quotes

Flag	Description
--body-only	Emit only the body, with no headers or attachment list
--include-inline	List inline attachments too, such as signature graphics
--render string	Which representation of the body to print: text, html, raw (default text)
--strip-quotes	Drop quoted reply blocks from the body

messages label

Attach a label to messages.

proton mail messages label [REF...]

proton mail messages label 'Invoice #2291' --label Accounting
proton mail messages label --from billing@example.com --label Accounting

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--label string	The label to attach or detach, by name or ID
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages list

List messages in a folder.

The filters are the ones every organising verb takes, so a selection can be read here and then handed to trash, move, label or export. Text predicates go through Proton’s index, which lags a change by a few seconds.

It looks in the inbox unless told otherwise; –folder all searches everything.

proton mail messages list

proton mail messages list
proton mail messages list --unread
proton mail messages list --folder archive --page-size 50
proton mail messages list --starred --output json
proton mail messages list --from billing@example.com --folder all
proton mail messages list --keyword invoice --after 2026-01-01 --folder all

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: inbox)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--page int	Which page of results, counting from zero
--page-size int	How many messages per page (default 25)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages mark

Set whether messages count as read.

Holds read and unread.

messages mark read

Mark messages as read.

proton mail messages mark read [REF...]

proton mail messages mark read 'Invoice #2291'
proton mail messages mark read --folder inbox --all

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages mark unread

Mark messages as unread.

proton mail messages mark unread [REF...]

proton mail messages mark unread 'Invoice #2291'

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages move

Move messages to a folder.

A folder is somewhere a message lives, so moving takes it out of wherever it was. To add a tag while leaving it in place, use label instead.

proton mail messages move [REF...]

proton mail messages move 'Invoice #2291' --into archive
proton mail messages move --from newsletter@example.com --older-than 90d --into archive

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--into string	Destination folder, by name or ID
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages reply

Reply to a message.

The original is quoted below your text, the subject gains “Re:”, and the reply leaves from the address the original arrived on.

–all includes everyone who was on the message. –draft stops before sending, so you can edit it with mail drafts update.

proton mail messages reply REF

proton mail messages reply 'Invoice #2291' --body 'Thanks, paid today.'
proton mail messages reply 'Invoice #2291' --everyone --body 'Noted.'
proton mail messages reply 'Invoice #2291' --body 'Draft first.' --draft

Flag	Description
--attach stringArray	File to attach (repeatable)
--attach-inline stringArray	Image to embed in the HTML body by Content-ID (repeatable; needs –html)
--bcc stringArray	Blind-carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--body string	Your text, placed above the quoted original (- reads stdin)
--cc stringArray	Carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--draft	Save as a draft instead of sending
--eo-password string	Password-protect the message for recipients outside Proton (expires after 28 days)
--eo-password-hint string	Hint shown to password-protected recipients
--everyone	Reply to everyone who was on the message, not just the sender
--expires string	Self-destruct after DURATION (e.g. 7d, 24h)
--from string	Address to send from, by email or ID (default: your primary)
--html	Compose in HTML (default: match the original)
--no-quote	Do not quote the original message
--no-signature	Leave out this address’s signature and Proton’s footer
--send-at string	Schedule delivery (RFC 3339, or YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM in the system timezone)
--to stringArray	Recipient (repeatable; accepts “Name ”)

messages send

Compose and send a message.

proton mail messages send

proton mail messages send --to jane@example.com --subject Report --body 'See attached.' --attach ./report.pdf
proton mail messages send --to team@example.com --subject Standup --body -
proton mail messages send --to jane@example.com --subject Reminder --send-at 2026-04-16T09:00
proton mail messages send --eml ./draft.eml

Flag	Description
--attach stringArray	File to attach (repeatable)
--attach-inline stringArray	Image to embed in the HTML body by Content-ID (repeatable; needs –html)
--bcc stringArray	Blind-carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--body string	Message body (- reads stdin)
--cc stringArray	Carbon-copy recipient (repeatable)
--eml string	Build the message from an RFC 822 file; other flags override what it says
--eo-password string	Password-protect the message for recipients outside Proton (expires after 28 days)
--eo-password-hint string	Hint shown to password-protected recipients
--expires string	Self-destruct after DURATION (e.g. 7d, 24h)
--from string	Address to send from, by email or ID (default: your primary)
--html	Treat the body as HTML rather than plain text
--no-signature	Leave out this address’s signature and Proton’s footer
--send-at string	Schedule delivery (RFC 3339, or YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM in the system timezone)
--subject string	Subject line
--to stringArray	Recipient (repeatable; accepts “Name ”)

messages star

Star messages.

proton mail messages star [REF...]

proton mail messages star 'Invoice #2291'

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages trash

Move messages to the trash.

proton mail messages trash [REF...]

proton mail messages trash 'Invoice #2291'
proton mail messages trash --unread --older-than 30d
proton mail messages trash --from newsletter@example.com --older-than 90d --dry-run

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages unlabel

Detach a label from messages.

proton mail messages unlabel [REF...]

proton mail messages unlabel 'Invoice #2291' --label Accounting

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--label string	The label to attach or detach, by name or ID
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages unschedule

Cancel a scheduled send.

The message leaves the queue and returns to Drafts, keeping its ID - the same thing the web client’s “Edit and reschedule” does. To change the time, cancel it and send again with –send-at.

proton mail messages unschedule [REF...]

proton mail messages unschedule 5bH2mQxK
proton mail messages unschedule --all

Flag	Description
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset

messages unstar

Remove the star from messages.

proton mail messages unstar [REF...]

proton mail messages unstar 'Invoice #2291'

Flag	Description
--after string	Match messages after this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--all	Act on everything in scope, rather than a subset
--before string	Match messages before this date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: all)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--keyword string	Match text anywhere, including display names and bodies
--limit int	Most messages to affect (Proton pages at 150) (default 150)
--newer-than string	Match messages newer than DURATION
--older-than string	Match messages older than DURATION (e.g. 30d, 2w, 1h)
--starred	Match starred messages
--subject string	Match text in the subject
--to string	Match a recipient’s address
--unread	Match unread messages

messages unsubscribe

Ask a mailing list to stop.

Proton does the asking, using whatever the message offered - a List-Unsubscribe header, or the one-click form behind it - because Proton is the party the list already knows.

proton mail messages unsubscribe REF...

proton mail messages unsubscribe 5bH2mQxK

messages watch

Print each message as it arrives, until you stop it.

It reports what happens while it is watching, so nothing that arrived beforehand comes up. A thread returning from snooze counts as arriving.

Without –folder it covers the inbox plus every folder whose notifications are on, which settings folders list shows under NOTIFY.

proton mail messages watch

proton mail messages watch
proton mail messages watch --folder all
proton mail messages watch --from billing@example.com
proton mail messages watch --output json

Flag	Description
--folder string	Folder or label to look in (default: the ones that notify)
--from string	Match the sender’s address
--subject string	Match text in the subject

settings

How Mail behaves.

Holds addresses, autoreply, filters, folders, get, labels, list, senders and set.

settings addresses

Your addresses, display names and signatures.

Holds get, list and update.

settings addresses get

Show one address, including its signature.

proton mail settings addresses get REF

proton mail settings addresses get me@proton.me

settings addresses list

List the addresses on the account.

proton mail settings addresses list

proton mail settings addresses list

settings addresses update

Set the display name recipients see and the signature appended to mail sent from this address.

Proton stores signatures as HTML. Plain text is escaped and its newlines become line breaks; –html passes markup through untouched.

proton mail settings addresses update REF

proton mail settings addresses update me@proton.me --display-name 'Roman'
proton mail settings addresses update me@proton.me --signature - --html
proton mail settings addresses update me@proton.me --clear-signature

Flag	Description
--clear-signature	Remove the signature
--display-name string	Name recipients see next to the address
--html	Treat the signature as HTML rather than escaping it
--signature string	Signature appended to mail from this address (- reads stdin)

settings autoreply

The automatic reply and its schedule.

Holds disable, enable, get and set.

settings autoreply disable

Turn the auto-reply off, keeping its schedule.

proton mail settings autoreply disable

proton mail settings autoreply disable

settings autoreply enable

Turn the auto-reply on, keeping its schedule.

proton mail settings autoreply enable

proton mail settings autoreply enable

settings autoreply get

Show the auto-reply and its schedule.

proton mail settings autoreply get

proton mail settings autoreply get

settings autoreply set

Configure the auto-reply and turn it on.

–start and –end are written in the grammar the repeat mode dictates: fixed 2026-07-01T09:00 a date and time in –zone daily 09:00 a time of day, with –days weekly mon:09:00 a weekday and time monthly 1:09:00 a day of the month and time permanent - no bounds

Proton sends every auto-reply with the subject “Auto” and offers no way to change it. Auto-reply is a paid feature.

proton mail settings autoreply set

proton mail settings autoreply set --message 'Away until Monday.'
proton mail settings autoreply set --message 'On holiday.' --start 2026-07-01 --end 2026-07-14

Flag	Description
--days stringSlice	Days it is active, for a daily schedule, e.g. mon,tue,wed
--end string	End of the window (grammar depends on –repeat)
--html	Treat the message as HTML rather than escaping it
--message string	Reply body (- reads stdin)
--password-file string	Read the account password from a file
--password-stdin	Read the account password from stdin
--repeat string	How the schedule repeats: fixed, daily, weekly, monthly, permanent (default fixed)
--start string	Start of the window (grammar depends on –repeat)
--totp string	Two-factor code
--zone string	IANA time zone the schedule is read in (default: the system zone)

settings filters

Server-side Sieve filters.

Holds apply, create, delete, disable, enable, get, list, reorder and update.

settings filters apply

Run filters over mail that is already in the mailbox.

A filter ordinarily acts once, as mail arrives, so a rule written today does nothing about what came yesterday.

With no filter named, every enabled filter runs.

proton mail settings filters apply [REF...]

proton mail settings filters apply
proton mail settings filters apply Newsletters

settings filters create

Create a filter.

Describe it with –if and the actions below, and Proton writes the Sieve. A condition reads FIELD [not] COMPARATOR VALUE:

field subject, sender, recipient, attachments comparator contains, is, starts, ends, matches

is wants the whole value; matches takes * and ? as wildcards. An attachments condition takes no value - it asks whether there is one.

–sieve takes a script you wrote yourself instead.

proton mail settings filters create

proton mail settings filters create --name Receipts --if "sender contains billing@" --label Receipts
proton mail settings filters create --name Big --sieve ./big.sieve

Flag	Description
--disabled	Create it without turning it on
--if stringArray	A condition matching mail must meet, as FIELD [not] COMPARATOR VALUE (repeatable)
--label stringArray	Apply this label to matching mail (repeatable)
--mark-read	Mark matching mail as read
--match string	Whether every condition must hold, or any one of them: all, any (default all)
--move-to string	Move matching mail into this folder (archive, inbox, spam, trash, or one of yours)
--name string	Name for the new filter
--sieve string	Sieve script (- reads stdin)
--star	Star matching mail

settings filters delete

Delete filters.

proton mail settings filters delete REF...

proton mail settings filters delete Receipts

settings filters disable

Disable filters.

proton mail settings filters disable REF...

proton mail settings filters disable Receipts

settings filters enable

Enable filters.

proton mail settings filters enable REF...

proton mail settings filters enable Receipts

settings filters get

Show what a filter matches and does.

proton mail settings filters get REF

proton mail settings filters get Receipts

settings filters list

List your filters.

proton mail settings filters list

proton mail settings filters list

settings filters reorder

Set the order filters run in.

The first rule to file a message wins, so the order decides where mail lands. Name every filter, in the order you want them: this replaces the whole order rather than nudging one entry, because a half-stated order is one nobody can predict.

proton mail settings filters reorder REF...

proton mail settings filters reorder Newsletters Receipts Archive

settings filters update

Change what a filter is called, matches, or does.

–if and the actions beside it replace the whole rule rather than adding to it. The filter keeps its place in the order and whether it is running.

proton mail settings filters update REF

proton mail settings filters update Receipts --sieve ./receipts.sieve

Flag	Description
--if stringArray	A condition matching mail must meet, as FIELD [not] COMPARATOR VALUE (repeatable)
--label stringArray	Apply this label to matching mail (repeatable)
--mark-read	Mark matching mail as read
--match string	Whether every condition must hold, or any one of them: all, any (default all)
--move-to string	Move matching mail into this folder (archive, inbox, spam, trash, or one of yours)
--name string	New name
--sieve string	New Sieve script (- reads stdin)
--star	Star matching mail

settings folders

Folders, which a message lives in.

Holds create, delete, list and update.

settings folders create

Create a folder.

proton mail settings folders create

proton mail settings folders create --name Receipts
proton mail settings folders create --name 2026 --parent Receipts --color olive
proton mail settings folders create --name Receipts --notify=false

Flag	Description
--color string	Accent color, by name (purple) or hex (#8080FF) (default #8080FF)
--name string	Name for the new folder
--notify	Tell you when mail arrives here (default true)
--parent string	Put it inside this folder, by ID

settings folders delete

Delete folders.

proton mail settings folders delete REF...

proton mail settings folders delete Receipts

settings folders list

List your folders.

proton mail settings folders list

proton mail settings folders list

settings folders update

Rename or recolor a folder.

proton mail settings folders update REF

proton mail settings folders update Receipts --name Invoices
proton mail settings folders update Receipts --notify

Flag	Description
--color string	New accent color, as a hex value
--name string	New name
--notify	Tell you when mail arrives here (default true)
--parent string	Move it inside this folder, by ID

settings get

Show the mail settings now in effect.

proton mail settings get

proton mail settings get

settings labels

Labels, which a message carries.

Holds create, delete, list and update.

settings labels create

Create a label.

proton mail settings labels create

proton mail settings labels create --name Work
proton mail settings labels create --name Accounting --color pacific

Flag	Description
--color string	Accent color, by name (purple) or hex (#8080FF) (default #8080FF)
--name string	Name for the new label

settings labels delete

Delete labels.

proton mail settings labels delete REF...

proton mail settings labels delete Work

settings labels list

List your labels.

proton mail settings labels list

proton mail settings labels list

settings labels update

Rename or recolor a label.

proton mail settings labels update REF

proton mail settings labels update Work --name Office
proton mail settings labels update Work --color enzian

Flag	Description
--color string	New accent color, as a hex value
--name string	New name

settings list

List the mail settings that can be changed.

proton mail settings list

proton mail settings list

settings senders

Who always reaches the inbox, and who never does.

Holds allow, block, forget, list and spam.

settings senders allow

Always let someone reach the inbox.

A whole domain works too, written with the @: @example.com.

Deciding again about the same sender replaces the earlier decision rather than colliding with it.

proton mail settings senders allow EMAIL...

proton mail settings senders allow billing@example.com

settings senders block

Send someone’s mail straight to blocked.

A whole domain works too, written with the @: @example.com.

Deciding again about the same sender replaces the earlier decision rather than colliding with it.

proton mail settings senders block EMAIL...

proton mail settings senders block spammer@example.com
proton mail settings senders block @example.com

settings senders forget

Drop a standing decision, letting the spam filter decide again.

proton mail settings senders forget EMAIL...

proton mail settings senders forget billing@example.com

settings senders list

List every standing decision about a sender.

proton mail settings senders list

proton mail settings senders list

settings senders spam

Send someone’s mail straight to spam.

A whole domain works too, written with the @: @example.com.

Deciding again about the same sender replaces the earlier decision rather than colliding with it.

proton mail settings senders spam EMAIL...

proton mail settings senders spam newsletter@example.com

settings set

Change one mail setting.

proton mail settings set KEY VALUE

proton mail settings set signature off
proton mail settings set view-mode conversation

---

Every command also takes the flags that work everywhere.