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dovecot/core

Dovecot is an open-source IMAP and POP3 mail server that gives users access to mail stored on a server.

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What is it?

Dovecot is a mail server written in C that provides IMAP and POP3 access, letting mail clients such as desktop and mobile email apps read and manage messages stored on a server. The project also covers LMTP delivery and submission, topics listed for the repository, so it can sit in the middle of a mail delivery chain.

The repository itself is light on detail: the README points to a separate INSTALL.md for build and installation steps, to the online documentation at doc.dovecot.org for configuration, and to an RFC list describing the protocol standards the server implements. It also directs questions to the project's mailing list.

Dovecot is typically chosen by operators who run their own mail infrastructure and need a standards-based IMAP/POP3 backend.

Key features

  • 01Provides IMAP and POP3 access to mail stored on the server.
  • 02Includes LMTP and mail submission topics for delivery workflows.
  • 03Implements a set of RFC-defined mail protocols, documented online.
  • 04Written in C and distributed as source with an INSTALL guide.

Use cases

  • Running a self-hosted mail server that serves IMAP or POP3 clients.
  • Providing a standards-based mailbox backend for an organization's email.
  • Connecting a mail delivery pipeline that uses LMTP to a mailbox store.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Follow the installation instructions in INSTALL.md

Things to know

  • The license could not be determined from the metadata, so check the repository's license files before use.

Topics

#email#imap#pop3#smtp#mail-server#lmtp#imap4#mail#submission

FAQ

What is core?
Dovecot is an open-source IMAP and POP3 mail server that gives users access to mail stored on a server. Dovecot is a mail server written in C that provides IMAP and POP3 access, letting mail clients such as desktop and mobile email apps read and manage messages stored on a server. The project also covers LMTP delivery and submission, topics listed for the repository, so it can sit in the middle of a mail delivery chain.
Is core free to use? What license does it have?
core is open source under the Other license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is core still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to core was on Nov 6, 2026.
What can I use core for?
Running a self-hosted mail server that serves IMAP or POP3 clients. Providing a standards-based mailbox backend for an organization's email. Connecting a mail delivery pipeline that uses LMTP to a mailbox store.
How do I install core?
Follow the installation instructions in INSTALL.md
Where can I get core?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/dovecot/core

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