> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.couchdrop.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.couchdrop.io/managed-file-transfer/mailboxes.md).

# Mailboxes

Receive files via email with Couchdrop Mailboxes.

## Introduction

Mailboxes in Couchdrop provide a way to receive files by email without manually downloading and moving attachments.

Each Mailbox has a dedicated email address. Files sent to that address are delivered directly to your selected storage location. This supports workflows such as email-to-SFTP and can also trigger Automations after files arrive.

You can optionally restrict who can send files using **Allowed Senders**.

## How to create a Mailbox <a href="#how-to-create-the-inbox" id="how-to-create-the-inbox"></a>

{% hint style="warning" %}

### Before you start <a href="#requirements" id="requirements"></a>

To setup an Mailbox, you will need the following:

* Access to Couchdrop, with the appropriate user rights. Talk to your admin to get these.
* A folder location for the Mailbox to connect to
  {% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Create a new Mailbox

In Couchdrop, select **Mailboxes**, then click **Create New**. Enter a name for the Mailbox.

If you do not see this option, contact your Couchdrop administrator.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Configure your Mailbox

Select where Couchdrop will store received files by choosing an existing folder or configuring a cloud storage connection.

Optionally, configure **Allowed Senders** to restrict who can send files to the Mailbox, and set an expiry if required.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save and use your Mailbox

Save the Mailbox configuration. Your new Mailbox will appear in Couchdrop with an email address you can provide to anyone who needs to deliver files.

Attachments sent to this address will be saved to the storage location you selected.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Settings

Additional Mailbox settings can be configured during creation or after the Mailbox has been created.

### General mailbox settings

Configure how the Mailbox handles incoming emails, access, expiry, and post-upload actions.

<table><thead><tr><th width="350.96875">Setting</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Upload email body contents as <code>.txt</code> file</strong></td><td>Saves the content of the email body as a separate <code>.txt</code> file in addition to any attached files.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Mailbox allowed senders</strong></td><td>Restricts uploads to specified email addresses. Supports comma-separated addresses and wildcards.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Expiry</strong></td><td>Configure the Mailbox to <strong>Never Expire</strong> or expire after a specified amount of time.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Mailbox Managers</strong></td><td>Select which Couchdrop users and groups can manage the Mailbox.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Actions</strong></td><td>Build workflows that perform operations after a file attachment has been uploaded successfully.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Notifications

Configure email notifications for successful or failed uploads, including optional custom recipients.

<table><thead><tr><th width="275.79296875">Setting</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Success notifications</strong></td><td>Send an email when a Mailbox upload succeeds.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Failure notifications</strong></td><td>Send an email when a Mailbox upload fails.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Custom notification recipients</strong></td><td>Send Mailbox notifications to one or more custom email addresses using a comma-separated list.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Transfer Shield

Configure Transfer Shield DLP and content classification rules for files uploaded through the Mailbox.

<table><thead><tr><th width="268.86328125">Setting</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Enable Content Classification</strong></td><td>Classifies files uploaded to the Mailbox using <a href="/security-and-governance/transfer-shield-dlp.md">Transfer Shield</a>.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Block unclassified files</strong></td><td>Denies files if Transfer Shield cannot classify them for any reason.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Content Rule Groups</strong></td><td>Apply a selected content rule group to files uploaded through the Mailbox.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature Support

Mailboxes support the following Couchdrop capabilities:

<table><thead><tr><th width="178.49609375">Feature</th><th>Support</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>API Creation</strong></td><td>Create Mailboxes through the Couchdrop API.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Custom Domains</strong></td><td>Use Mailboxes with configured custom domains.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Auditing</strong></td><td>Track Mailbox activity through Couchdrop auditing.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Using Mailboxes in workflows

Once configured, a Mailbox can receive email attachments into Couchdrop and pass those files into other Couchdrop transfer and workflow features.

| Workflow                   | How it works with a Mailbox                                                                                                       |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Email to SFTP**          | Receive email attachments through a Mailbox and make them available over Couchdrop SFTP or transfer them to a remote SFTP server. |
| **Email to Cloud Storage** | Save attachments received through a Mailbox directly into the connected cloud storage folder selected for that Mailbox.           |
| **Email to Automations**   | Use files received through a Mailbox as the input for Couchdrop Automations and event-driven workflows.                           |
| **Email to Shared Links**  | Receive attachments through a Mailbox, then make those files available through a Couchdrop Shared Link for external access.       |

## Frequently asked questions

<details>

<summary>Is there a size limit with files?</summary>

Yes - most email clients will not allow files larger than 25Mb. While we do not have a set limit - clients and most servers will not allow files greater than this.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Are Mailboxes HIPAA compliant?</summary>

No - email is not suitable for sensitive data - expecially PHI.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I create Mailboxes through the API?</summary>

Yes. Mailboxes can be created through the Couchdrop API.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Do Mailboxes support custom domains?</summary>

Yes. Mailboxes can be used with configured custom domains.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Is Mailbox activity logged and auditable?</summary>

Yes. All Mailbox activity is recorded and available through Couchdrop audit logs.

</details>