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@title Configuring Inbound Email @title Configuring Inbound Email
@group config @group config
This document contains instructions for configuring inbound email, so users This document contains instructions for configuring inbound email, so users
may interact with some Phabricator applications via email. may interact with some Phorge applications via email.
Preamble Preamble
======== ========
Phabricator can process inbound mail in two general ways: Phorge can process inbound mail in two general ways:
**Handling Replies**: When users reply to email notifications about changes, **Handling Replies**: When users reply to email notifications about changes,
Phabricator can turn email into comments on the relevant discussion thread. Phorge can turn email into comments on the relevant discussion thread.
**Creating Objects**: You can configure an address like `bugs@yourcompany.com` **Creating Objects**: You can configure an address like `bugs@yourcompany.com`
to create new objects (like tasks) when users send email. to create new objects (like tasks) when users send email.
In either case, users can interact with objects via mail commands to apply a In either case, users can interact with objects via mail commands to apply a
broader set of changes to objects beyond commenting. (For example, you can use broader set of changes to objects beyond commenting. (For example, you can use
`!close` to close a task or `!priority` to change task priority.) `!close` to close a task or `!priority` to change task priority.)
To configure inbound mail, you will generally: To configure inbound mail, you will generally:
- Configure some mail domain to submit mail to Phabricator for processing. - Configure some mail domain to submit mail to Phorge for processing.
- For handling replies, set `metamta.reply-handler-domain` in your - For handling replies, set `metamta.reply-handler-domain` in your
configuration. configuration.
- For handling email that creates objects, configure inbound addresses in the - For handling email that creates objects, configure inbound addresses in the
relevant application. relevant application.
See below for details on each of these steps. See below for details on each of these steps.
Configuration Overview Configuration Overview
====================== ======================
Usually, the most challenging part of configuring inbound mail is getting mail Usually, the most challenging part of configuring inbound mail is getting mail
delivered to Phabricator for processing. This step can be made much easier if delivered to Phorge for processing. This step can be made much easier if
you use a third-party mail service which can submit mail to Phabricator via you use a third-party mail service which can submit mail to Phorge via
webhooks. webhooks.
Some available approaches for delivering mail to Phabricator are: Some available approaches for delivering mail to Phorge are:
| Receive Mail With | Setup | Cost | Notes | | Receive Mail With | Setup | Cost | Notes |
|--------|-------|------|-------| |--------|-------|------|-------|
| Mailgun | Easy | Cheap | Recommended | | Mailgun | Easy | Cheap | Recommended |
| Postmark | Easy | Cheap | Recommended | | Postmark | Easy | Cheap | Recommended |
| SendGrid | Easy | Cheap | | | SendGrid | Easy | Cheap | |
| Local MTA | Difficult | Free | Discouraged | | Local MTA | Difficult | Free | Discouraged |
The remainder of this document walks through configuring Phabricator to The remainder of this document walks through configuring Phorge to
receive mail, and then configuring your chosen transport to deliver mail receive mail, and then configuring your chosen transport to deliver mail
to Phabricator. to Phorge.
Configuring "Reply" Email Configuring "Reply" Email
========================= =========================
By default, Phabricator uses a `noreply@phabricator.example.com` email address By default, Phorge uses a `noreply@phorge.example.com` email address
as the "From" address when it sends mail. The exact address it uses can be as the "From" address when it sends mail. The exact address it uses can be
configured with `metamta.default-address`. configured with `metamta.default-address`.
When a user takes an action that generates mail, Phabricator sets the When a user takes an action that generates mail, Phorge sets the
"Reply-To" addresss for the mail to that user's name and address. This means "Reply-To" addresss for the mail to that user's name and address. This means
that users can reply to email to discuss changes, but: the conversation won't that users can reply to email to discuss changes, but: the conversation won't
be recorded in Phabricator; and users will not be able to use email commands be recorded in Phorge; and users will not be able to use email commands
to take actions or make edits. to take actions or make edits.
To change this behavior so that users can interact with objects in Phabricator To change this behavior so that users can interact with objects in Phorge
over email, change the configuration key `metamta.reply-handler-domain` to some over email, change the configuration key `metamta.reply-handler-domain` to some
domain you configure according to the instructions below, e.g. domain you configure according to the instructions below, e.g.
`phabricator.example.com`. Once you set this key, email will use a `phorge.example.com`. Once you set this key, email will use a
"Reply-To" like `T123+273+af310f9220ad@phabricator.example.com`, which -- when "Reply-To" like `T123+273+af310f9220ad@phorge.example.com`, which -- when
configured correctly, according to the instructions below -- will parse incoming configured correctly, according to the instructions below -- will parse incoming
email and allow users to interact with Differential revisions, Maniphest tasks, email and allow users to interact with Differential revisions, Maniphest tasks,
etc. over email. etc. over email.
If you don't want Phabricator to take up an entire domain (or subdomain) you If you don't want Phorge to take up an entire domain (or subdomain) you
can configure a general prefix so you can use a single mailbox to receive mail can configure a general prefix so you can use a single mailbox to receive mail
on. To make use of this set `metamta.single-reply-handler-prefix` to the on. To make use of this set `metamta.single-reply-handler-prefix` to the
prefix of your choice, and Phabricator will prepend this to the "Reply-To" prefix of your choice, and Phorge will prepend this to the "Reply-To"
mail address. This works because everything up to the first (optional) '+' mail address. This works because everything up to the first (optional) '+'
character in an email address is considered the receiver, and everything character in an email address is considered the receiver, and everything
after is essentially ignored. after is essentially ignored.
Configuring "Create" Email Configuring "Create" Email
========================== ==========================
You can set up application email addresses to allow users to create objects via You can set up application email addresses to allow users to create objects via
email. For example, you could configure `bugs@phabricator.example.com` to email. For example, you could configure `bugs@phorge.example.com` to
create a Maniphest task out of any email which is sent to it. create a Maniphest task out of any email which is sent to it.
You can find application email settings for each application at: You can find application email settings for each application at:
{nav icon=home, name=Home > {nav icon=home, name=Home >
Applications > Applications >
type=instructions, name="Select an Application" > type=instructions, name="Select an Application" >
icon=cog, name=Configure} icon=cog, name=Configure}
Not all applications support creating objects via email. Not all applications support creating objects via email.
In some applications, including Maniphest, you can also configure Herald rules In some applications, including Maniphest, you can also configure Herald rules
with the `[ Content source ]` and/or `[ Receiving email address ]` fields to with the `[ Content source ]` and/or `[ Receiving email address ]` fields to
route or handle objects based on which address mail was sent to. route or handle objects based on which address mail was sent to.
You'll also need to configure the actual mail domain to submit mail to You'll also need to configure the actual mail domain to submit mail to
Phabricator by following the instructions below. Phabricator will let you add Phorge by following the instructions below. Phorge will let you add
any address as an application address, but can only process mail which is any address as an application address, but can only process mail which is
actually delivered to it. actually delivered to it.
Security Security
======== ========
The email reply channel is "somewhat" authenticated. Each reply-to address is The email reply channel is "somewhat" authenticated. Each reply-to address is
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revisions) are not permitted over email. revisions) are not permitted over email.
This implementation is an attempt to balance utility and security, but makes This implementation is an attempt to balance utility and security, but makes
some sacrifices on both sides to achieve it because of the difficulty of some sacrifices on both sides to achieve it because of the difficulty of
authenticating senders in the general case (e.g., where you are an open source authenticating senders in the general case (e.g., where you are an open source
project and need to interact with users whose email accounts you have no control project and need to interact with users whose email accounts you have no control
over). over).
You can also set `metamta.public-replies`, which will change how Phabricator You can also set `metamta.public-replies`, which will change how Phorge
delivers email. Instead of sending each recipient a unique mail with a personal delivers email. Instead of sending each recipient a unique mail with a personal
reply-to address, it will send a single email to everyone with a public reply-to reply-to address, it will send a single email to everyone with a public reply-to
address. This decreases security because anyone who can spoof a "From" address address. This decreases security because anyone who can spoof a "From" address
can act as another user, but increases convenience if you use mailing lists and, can act as another user, but increases convenience if you use mailing lists and,
practically, is a reasonable setting for many installs. The reply-to address practically, is a reasonable setting for many installs. The reply-to address
will still contain a hash unique to the object it represents, so users who have will still contain a hash unique to the object it represents, so users who have
not received an email about an object can not blindly interact with it. not received an email about an object can not blindly interact with it.
If you enable application email addresses, those addresses also use the weaker If you enable application email addresses, those addresses also use the weaker
"From" authentication mechanism. "From" authentication mechanism.
NOTE: Phabricator does not currently attempt to verify "From" addresses because NOTE: Phorge does not currently attempt to verify "From" addresses because
this is technically complex, seems unreasonably difficult in the general case, this is technically complex, seems unreasonably difficult in the general case,
and no installs have had a need for it yet. If you have a specific case where a and no installs have had a need for it yet. If you have a specific case where a
reasonable mechanism exists to provide sender verification (e.g., DKIM reasonable mechanism exists to provide sender verification (e.g., DKIM
signatures are sufficient to authenticate the sender under your configuration, signatures are sufficient to authenticate the sender under your configuration,
or you are willing to require all users to sign their email), file a feature or you are willing to require all users to sign their email), file a feature
request. request.
Testing and Debugging Inbound Email Testing and Debugging Inbound Email
=================================== ===================================
You can use the `bin/mail` utility to test and review inbound mail. This can You can use the `bin/mail` utility to test and review inbound mail. This can
help you determine if mail is being delivered to Phabricator or not: help you determine if mail is being delivered to Phorge or not:
phabricator/ $ ./bin/mail list-inbound # List inbound messages. phorge/ $ ./bin/mail list-inbound # List inbound messages.
phabricator/ $ ./bin/mail show-inbound # Show details about a message. phorge/ $ ./bin/mail show-inbound # Show details about a message.
You can also test receiving mail, but note that this just simulates receiving You can also test receiving mail, but note that this just simulates receiving
the mail and doesn't send any information over the network. It is the mail and doesn't send any information over the network. It is
primarily aimed at developing email handlers: it will still work properly primarily aimed at developing email handlers: it will still work properly
if your inbound email configuration is incorrect or even disabled. if your inbound email configuration is incorrect or even disabled.
phabricator/ $ ./bin/mail receive-test # Receive test message. phorge/ $ ./bin/mail receive-test # Receive test message.
Run `bin/mail help <command>` for detailed help on using these commands. Run `bin/mail help <command>` for detailed help on using these commands.
Mailgun Setup Mailgun Setup
============= =============
To use Mailgun, you need a Mailgun account. You can sign up at To use Mailgun, you need a Mailgun account. You can sign up at
<http://www.mailgun.com>. Provided you have such an account, configure it <http://www.mailgun.com>. Provided you have such an account, configure it
like this: like this:
- Configure a mail domain according to Mailgun's instructions. - Configure a mail domain according to Mailgun's instructions.
- Add a Mailgun route with a `catch_all()` rule which takes the action - Add a Mailgun route with a `catch_all()` rule which takes the action
`forward("https://phabricator.example.com/mail/mailgun/")`. Replace the `forward("https://phorge.example.com/mail/mailgun/")`. Replace the
example domain with your actual domain. example domain with your actual domain.
- Configure a mailer in `cluster.mailers` with your Mailgun API key. - Configure a mailer in `cluster.mailers` with your Mailgun API key.
Postmark Setup Postmark Setup
============== ==============
To process inbound mail from Postmark, configure this URI as your inbound To process inbound mail from Postmark, configure this URI as your inbound
webhook URI in the Postmark control panel: webhook URI in the Postmark control panel:
``` ```
https://<phabricator.yourdomain.com>/mail/postmark/ https://<phorge.yourdomain.com>/mail/postmark/
``` ```
See also the Postmark section in @{article:Configuring Outbound Email} for See also the Postmark section in @{article:Configuring Outbound Email} for
discussion of the remote address whitelist used to verify that requests this discussion of the remote address whitelist used to verify that requests this
endpoint receives are authentic requests originating from Postmark. endpoint receives are authentic requests originating from Postmark.
SendGrid Setup SendGrid Setup
============== ==============
To use SendGrid, you need a SendGrid account with access to the "Parse API" for To use SendGrid, you need a SendGrid account with access to the "Parse API" for
inbound email. Provided you have such an account, configure it like this: inbound email. Provided you have such an account, configure it like this:
- Configure an MX record according to SendGrid's instructions, i.e. add - Configure an MX record according to SendGrid's instructions, i.e. add
`phabricator.example.com MX 10 mx.sendgrid.net.` or similar. `phorge.example.com MX 10 mx.sendgrid.net.` or similar.
- Go to the "Parse Incoming Emails" page on SendGrid - Go to the "Parse Incoming Emails" page on SendGrid
(<http://sendgrid.com/developer/reply>) and add the domain as the (<http://sendgrid.com/developer/reply>) and add the domain as the
"Hostname". "Hostname".
- Add the URL `https://phabricator.example.com/mail/sendgrid/` as the "Url", - Add the URL `https://phorge.example.com/mail/sendgrid/` as the "Url",
using your domain (and HTTP instead of HTTPS if you are not configured with using your domain (and HTTP instead of HTTPS if you are not configured with
SSL). SSL).
- If you get an error that the hostname "can't be located or verified", it - If you get an error that the hostname "can't be located or verified", it
means your MX record is either incorrectly configured or hasn't propagated means your MX record is either incorrectly configured or hasn't propagated
yet. yet.
- Set `metamta.reply-handler-domain` to `phabricator.example.com` - Set `metamta.reply-handler-domain` to `phorge.example.com`
(whatever you configured the MX record for). (whatever you configured the MX record for).
That's it! If everything is working properly you should be able to send email That's it! If everything is working properly you should be able to send email
to `anything@phabricator.example.com` and it should appear in to `anything@phorge.example.com` and it should appear in
`bin/mail list-inbound` within a few seconds. `bin/mail list-inbound` within a few seconds.
Local MTA: Installing Mailparse Local MTA: Installing Mailparse
=============================== ===============================
If you're going to run your own MTA, you need to install the PECL mailparse If you're going to run your own MTA, you need to install the PECL mailparse
extension. In theory, you can do that with: extension. In theory, you can do that with:
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probably means something like this: probably means something like this:
- add an MX record; - add an MX record;
- make sendmail listen on external interfaces; - make sendmail listen on external interfaces;
- open up port 25 if necessary (e.g., in your EC2 security policy); - open up port 25 if necessary (e.g., in your EC2 security policy);
- add your host to /etc/mail/local-host-names; and - add your host to /etc/mail/local-host-names; and
- restart sendmail. - restart sendmail.
Now, you can actually configure sendmail to deliver to Phabricator. In Now, you can actually configure sendmail to deliver to Phorge. In
`/etc/aliases`, add an entry like this: `/etc/aliases`, add an entry like this:
phabricator: "| /path/to/phabricator/scripts/mail/mail_handler.php" phorge: "| /path/to/phorge/scripts/mail/mail_handler.php"
If you use the `PHABRICATOR_ENV` environmental variable to select a If you use the `PHABRICATOR_ENV` environmental variable to select a
configuration, you can pass the value to the script as an argument: configuration, you can pass the value to the script as an argument:
.../path/to/mail_handler.php <ENV> .../path/to/mail_handler.php <ENV>
This is an advanced feature which is rarely used. Most installs should run This is an advanced feature which is rarely used. Most installs should run
without an argument. without an argument.
After making this change, run `sudo newaliases`. Now you likely need to symlink After making this change, run `sudo newaliases`. Now you likely need to symlink
this script into `/etc/smrsh/`: this script into `/etc/smrsh/`:
sudo ln -s /path/to/phabricator/scripts/mail/mail_handler.php /etc/smrsh/ sudo ln -s /path/to/phorge/scripts/mail/mail_handler.php /etc/smrsh/
Finally, edit `/etc/mail/virtusertable` and add an entry like this: Finally, edit `/etc/mail/virtusertable` and add an entry like this:
@yourdomain.com phabricator@localhost @yourdomain.com phorge@localhost
That will forward all mail to @yourdomain.com to the Phabricator processing That will forward all mail to @yourdomain.com to the Phorge processing
script. Run `sudo /etc/mail/make` or similar and then restart sendmail with script. Run `sudo /etc/mail/make` or similar and then restart sendmail with
`sudo /etc/init.d/sendmail restart`. `sudo /etc/init.d/sendmail restart`.
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