How to open mbox files with thunderbird via console?
If thunderbird is opened, I can open an mbox file via menu "File\open\Saved message", change filter to "all files" and choosing mbox file. Thunderbird is able to show this file as email.
My question is: Is there a command line argument which allows me to start thunderbird with a specific mbox file?
The following examples didn't work. thunderbird -file Test.mbox thunderbird -compose Test.mbox thunderbird -mail Test.mbox
Gekose oplossing
Thanks for your help, but I don't want to import those files into Thunderbird. I need only a tool to visualize the mail. And yes i know I can use any text editor to do it. But it is not so convenient.
I think I have to use the inconvenient way to open the mbox file as I described in the first question.
Lees dié antwoord in konteks 👍 0All Replies (5)
dirk70 said
If thunderbird is opened, I can open an mbox file via menu "File\open\Saved message", change filter to "all files" and choosing mbox file. Thunderbird is able to show this file as email. My question is: Is there a command line argument which allows me to start thunderbird with a specific mbox file? The following examples didn't work. thunderbird -file Test.mbox thunderbird -compose Test.mbox thunderbird -mail Test.mbox
No.
You are trying to describe a solution - but what exactly is do you want to see IN thunderbird, and why?
The way I described to open mbox files is very inconvenient. It would be very nice to open mbox files via console or via double click in file manager.
dirk70 said
The way I described to open mbox files is very inconvenient. It would be very nice to open mbox files via console or via double click in file manager.
This "method" shows the first message in the MBOX file and then appends the rest as plain text representations of the mail, in it's native MIME encoded format. Not particularly useful for an MBOX with 20 or 30 thousand emails in it. Really Thunderbird is treating the MBOX as an EML, that they are the same as far as the first message is concerned may lead you to think you have "opened" the MBOX. You have not. You would do just about as well trying to open the file with a text editor.
The Mozilla Developer Network defines the command line switches here https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Command_Line_Options
Try using the import export tools add-on to import MBOX files. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/
Gekose oplossing
Thanks for your help, but I don't want to import those files into Thunderbird. I need only a tool to visualize the mail. And yes i know I can use any text editor to do it. But it is not so convenient.
I think I have to use the inconvenient way to open the mbox file as I described in the first question.
I suggest you type mbox viewer into a google search and download and try some of the utilities offered. I am sure you will find one you like.