The default message template ``components'' will direct comp to construct the message draft as follows:

From: {from switch} or <Local-Mailbox> or <username@hostname>
To: {to switch} or blank
cc: {cc switch} or blank
Fcc: {fcc switch} or +outbox
Subject: {subject switch} or blank
--------

If a file named ``components'' exists in the user's nmh directory, it will be used instead of this form. You may specify an alternate forms file with the switch -form formfile.

You may also start comp using the contents of an existing message as the form. If you supply either a +folder or msg argument, that message will be used as the message form. You may not supply both a -form formfile and a +folder or msg argument. The line of dashes or a blank line must be left between the header and the body of the message for the message to be identified properly when it is sent (see send(1)).

The switch -use directs comp to continue editing an already started message. That is, if a comp (or dist, repl, or forw) is terminated without sending the draft, the draft can be edited again via ``comp -use''.

The -file file switch says to use the named file as the message draft.

Forms that are selected via the -form switch are processed via the nmh template system; see mh-format(5) for details. Drafts constructed from another message or with the -use or -file switchs will NOT be processed with mh-format(5).

In addition to the standard mh-format(5) escapes, the following component escapes are either new or have an alternate meaning:

Escape Returns  Description
fcc     string   Any folders specified with `-fcc folder'
from    string   Any addresses specified with `-from address'
to      string   Any addresses specified with `-to address'
cc      string   Any addresses specified with `-cc address'
subject string   Any text specified with `-subject text'

By default the ``To:'' and ``cc:'' fields are empty. You may add addresses to these fields with the -to address and -cc address switches. You may give these switches multiple times to add multiple addresses.

By default the ``From:'' field has either the value of the Local-Mailbox profile entry or a system default email address. This default can be overridden by using the -from address switch. The default mailbox in the ``Fcc:'' field is +outbox. This can be overridden by the -fcc switch.

Any text you give to the -subject switch will be placed in the ``Subject:'' field in the draft.

If the draft already exists, comp will ask you as to the disposition of the draft. A reply of quit will abort comp, leaving the draft intact; replace will replace the existing draft with the appropriate form; list will display the draft; use will use the draft for further composition; and refile +folder will file the draft in the given folder, and give you a new draft with the appropriate form. (The +folder argument to refile is required.)

The -draftfolder +folder and -draftmessage msg switches invoke the nmh draft folder facility. This is an advanced (and highly useful) feature. Consult the mh-draft(5) man page for more information.

The -editor editor switch indicates the editor to use for the initial edit. Upon exiting from the editor, comp will invoke the whatnow program. See whatnow(1) for a discussion of available options. The invocation of this program can be inhibited by using the -nowhatnowproc switch. (In truth of fact, it is the whatnow program which starts the initial edit. Hence, -nowhatnowproc will prevent any edit from occurring.)

The -build switch is intended to be used by the Emacs mh-e interface to nmh. It implies -nowhatnowproc. It causes a file <mh-dir>/draft to be created, containing the draft message that would normally be presented to the user for editing. No mail is actually sent.