Thunderbird/Maildir: Difference between revisions
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Maildir is the first [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Thunderbird:Pluggable_Mail_Stores pluggable mail store] to be implemented as an alternative to mbox - the traditional format used by Thunderbird. Thunderbird's maildir implementation allows a single unique filename per email ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email#Filename_extensions EML]). | |||
'''Note, Thunderbird's maildir implementation is NOT [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maildir full maildir] in the sense that most people know as maildir, particularly linux users or mail administrators. You cannot point a Thunderbird account to a mail server directory. For example you do not get [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1219781 Bug 1219781 - maildir storing message flags not implemented message flags stored with emails]. You only get a single file per message, and nothing more.''' | |||
== Enable Maildir mailbox format == | == Enable Maildir mailbox format == | ||
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"mail.serverDefaultStoreContractID" to "@mozilla.org/msgstore/maildirstore;1". | "mail.serverDefaultStoreContractID" to "@mozilla.org/msgstore/maildirstore;1". | ||
We aren't sure of the side-effects of using maildir as the default store on a profile | We aren't sure of the side-effects of using maildir as the default store on a profile that was created on Berkeley mailbox(mbox) format, so we suggest you to create a fresh profile to work with maildir so as to avoid any dataloss that might occur. | ||
that was created on Berkeley mailbox(mbox) format, so we suggest you to create a fresh profile | |||
to work with maildir so as to avoid any dataloss that might occur. | |||
== Operations now successful with Maildir == | == Operations now successful with Maildir == | ||
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* See meta-bug [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=845952 finish "maildir" message storage] | * See meta-bug [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=845952 finish "maildir" message storage] | ||
* Move to maildir local folders sometimes fail. See [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=859011 bug 859011], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1215722 bug 1215722]. | * Move to maildir local folders sometimes fail. See [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=859011 bug 859011], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1215722 bug 1215722]. | ||
== Methods that may result in Process crash == | == Methods that may result in Process crash == | ||
Please don't use CopyService for any copy operations in the source code if you are using maildir. As of now, | Please don't use CopyService for any copy operations in the source code if you are using maildir. As of now, | ||
we haven't addressed this bit and copying using CopyService results in process crash. | we haven't addressed this bit and copying using CopyService results in process crash. | ||
Latest revision as of 23:43, 23 October 2025
Maildir is the first pluggable mail store to be implemented as an alternative to mbox - the traditional format used by Thunderbird. Thunderbird's maildir implementation allows a single unique filename per email (EML).
Note, Thunderbird's maildir implementation is NOT full maildir in the sense that most people know as maildir, particularly linux users or mail administrators. You cannot point a Thunderbird account to a mail server directory. For example you do not get Bug 1219781 - maildir storing message flags not implemented message flags stored with emails. You only get a single file per message, and nothing more.
Enable Maildir mailbox format
If you want to experience maildir, you need to set the string pref "mail.serverDefaultStoreContractID" to "@mozilla.org/msgstore/maildirstore;1".
We aren't sure of the side-effects of using maildir as the default store on a profile that was created on Berkeley mailbox(mbox) format, so we suggest you to create a fresh profile to work with maildir so as to avoid any dataloss that might occur.
Operations now successful with Maildir
Issues resolved or closed as no longer being an issue so far:
- The pop3 filters work reliably with maildir. See bug 827048
- All local folder operations are successful with maildir now. See bug 1028548
- Movemail download now works with maildir. See bug 1027947
- Sub folder directories are created at the expected place now. See bug 1017939
- Quarantine filter moves now work with maildir. See bug 1044456
- Rename of IMAP folders is in progress. See bug 857436
Operations still unsuccessful with Maildir
Issues left to be addressed:
- See meta-bug finish "maildir" message storage
- Move to maildir local folders sometimes fail. See bug 859011, bug 1215722.
Methods that may result in Process crash
Please don't use CopyService for any copy operations in the source code if you are using maildir. As of now, we haven't addressed this bit and copying using CopyService results in process crash.