What is EMail Parrot?
You were added to a private email list that runs through EMail Parrot. EMail Parrot is an email relay service that keeps members’ real email addresses private. When you send or receive messages through the list, your real address is never shared with other members or with the outside world – only your display name appears.
Sending to the list
To send a message to everyone on the list, send an email to the list address. This is the same address you see in the From or Reply-To field when you receive list mail. Your message will be delivered to all members, and your name will appear as your display name rather than your real email address.
Sending a direct message
To send a private message to one member, you can use their direct message address, which
looks like ~membername.listname@domain. Your list administrator can give you a member’s
direct message address if you need it. You can also request the full address book using
the command below.
Protecting your privacy
EMail Parrot never puts your real email address in messages sent to other members or to external people. If a message body contains someone’s email address, EMail Parrot replaces it with their display name before delivery. You can safely reply to list emails without worrying about exposing your inbox to other members.
This protection also covers calendar invites, contact cards, and mailto links attached to or included in list emails – not just the message body. See Address Protection in Attachments and Links in the user guide for what is covered and its limitations.
Self-service commands
You can manage your own list settings by sending an email to the addresses below. The subject and body do not matter – just send to the address.
| Send to | What happens |
|---|---|
self.listname@domain(also selfemail, self-email, self_email, selfmail, self-mail, self_mail) | Toggle whether you receive copies of your own messages. Sends you a confirmation. |
nomail.listname@domain(also no-mail, no_mail, noemail, no-email, no_email) | Pause your delivery. You stop receiving list email (but can still receive direct messages). |
resumemail.listname@domain(also resume-mail, resume_mail, resumeemail, resume-email, resume_email) | Resume delivery after a pause. |
unsubscribe.listname@domain | Pause your delivery and notify the list administrator that you want to be removed. |
addressbook.listname@domain(also address-book, address_book) | Receive a reply with all members’ direct message addresses. |
help.listname@domain | Receive a link to this page. |
Replace listname@domain with your actual list address. For example, if your list
address is neighbors@example.emparrot.com, the nomail command would be sent to
nomail.neighbors@example.emparrot.com. Any of the alternate spellings listed above
also work – for example, no-mail.neighbors@example.emparrot.com and
noemail.neighbors@example.emparrot.com both pause delivery. These commands only work
when sent from your member email address. If you are unsure of your list address, check
the email headers on any message you received from the list, or contact your list
administrator.
Inviting someone to join
If you want to invite a non-member to join, share the subscribe address with
them: subscribe.listname@domain (replace listname@domain with your actual
list address). When they send any email to that address, your list administrator
will be notified and can add them via the admin portal. The requester does not
receive a confirmation – let them know to expect a follow-up from the admin.
Questions or problems
For questions about the list – membership, settings, or content – contact your list administrator directly. EMail Parrot support is for list owners and administrators; members should reach out to their admin first.