> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wazobiamail.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Mail rules

> Organise incoming mail automatically with rules — folders, quick rules and advanced filters in the WazobiaMail webmail.

# Mail rules

Mail rules tidy up your inbox automatically. A rule is a simple sentence:
**when a message fits a condition, do something with it** — for example "*when
the subject contains 'receipt', file it in the Receipts folder*". Rules run on
new mail as it arrives, so mail lands in the right place without you moving it.

## Open the rules screen

1. Open WazobiaMail at **[https://webmail.wazobiamail.com](https://webmail.wazobiamail.com)**.
2. Select the **Settings** gear in the top-left rail (or open your profile and
   choose **Settings**).
3. Choose **Filters** in the settings list.

![The WazobiaMail webmail interface where the settings gear sits at the bottom of the top-left rail](https://mintcdn.com/bonifade-technologies/cx9v-MkchH9WKHTe/images/webmail/mail-inbox.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=cx9v-MkchH9WKHTe\&q=85\&s=5881d40d081338b793a8ea5f9a918175)

## Create your first rule

1. On the Filters screen select **New rule** (or **Add rule**).
2. Give the rule a name you will recognise, such as *Receipts*.
3. Choose a **condition** — for example:
   * *Sender is* a specific address
   * *Subject contains* certain words
   * the message has an attachment
   * the message is sent to a particular address of yours
4. Combine rows with **Any** (matches easier) or **All** (matches stricter).
5. Choose an **action** — typically *Move to folder*, *Mark as read*, *Star*,
   *Forward to* an address, or a combination.
6. Save the rule. From now on, matching mail is handled automatically.

> [!TIP]
>
> Start rules out narrow: one address or one phrase. A rule that is too broad
> ("subject contains *invoice*") can file away mail you wanted to see.

## Rules run in order

Rules are applied top to bottom, in the order they are listed. Rearrange them
by dragging on the Filters screen — for example, an "archive newsletters"
heading rule must sit above (run before) a broader "mark all as read" rule that
would otherwise match the same mail first.

## Make a rule from a message

The fastest way is from the message itself: right-click (or open the ⋮ menu on)
a message in the list and choose **Create rule** or a **quick rule** such as
"always file mail from this sender". WazobiaMail pre-fills the condition from
that message — check it, pick the folder, and save.

## Out of office uses the same engine

A rule-like special case is the **vacation responder** (auto-reply). If the
Filters screen shows an orange "vacation is active" banner, see
[Out of office](https://docs.wazobiamail.com/docs/guides/vacation.md) — that banner links straight to the vacation
settings, where it can be turned off quickly.

## For advanced users: edit the raw filter script

Under the hood, rules use the standard **Sieve** language. Power users can open
the raw editor from the same Filters screen and write Sieve commands directly —
useful for conditions the basic screen cannot express, such as header checks or
date-window tests. If a raw script was created by an administrator or imported,
it is read-only unless editing is permitted.

## If a rule surprises you

Check two usual suspects on the Filters screen:

* **Order** — an earlier rule caught the message first.
* **The "stop further rules" action in that rule** — messages that matched do
  not fall through to later rules.

Both are visible on the rule rows; reorder or turn off the offending rule by
toggling it, then send yourself a test message to confirm.

> [card] [Using your inbox](https://docs.wazobiamail.com/docs/guides/using-your-inbox.md)
>
> Everyday reading and sending on the web.

> [card] [Out of office](https://docs.wazobiamail.com/docs/guides/vacation.md)
>
> Scheduled auto-replies while you are away.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.