[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "Ok%2C%20I%27ve%20created%20my%20%7E%2F.mbsyncrc%20file%20and%20I%27d%20like%20to%20run%20mbsync%20now.%20do%20i%20just%20run%20it%20as%20mbsync%20-a%3F%20are%20there%20other%20options%3F%20like%20verbose%20output%20or%20status%20messages%20as%20it%20is%20syncing%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s a summary of how to *run* `mbsync` once your `~/.mbsyncrc` is set up, along with useful options to get status, verbose output, or simulate what will happen. It\u2019s based on the most recent `mbsync` / *isync* documentation. ([mankier.com](https://www.mankier.com/1/mbsync?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Basic invocation\n\n- `mbsync -a` or `mbsync --all`  \n  Sync *all* configured channels. This is equivalent to specifying every channel/group in your configuration file. ([mankier.com](https://www.mankier.com/1/mbsync?utm_source=openai))\n\n- `mbsync` *channel_name* or *group_name*  \n  Sync just that channel (or group). Useful if you only want INBOX or specific codes. ([linuxcommandlibrary.com](https://linuxcommandlibrary.com/man/mbsync?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Helpful options\n\nThese modify what `mbsync` prints or does, or let you test without making changes. Useful when debugging or just seeing progress.\n\n| Option | What it does |\n|---|---|\n| `-V`, `--verbose` | Shows more detailed information about what\u2019s happening. E.g. which channels are syncing, mailbox names, number of messages, etc. ([linuxcommandlibrary.com](https://linuxcommandlibrary.com/man/mbsync?utm_source=openai)) |\n| `-D`, `--debug[=\u2026]` | Even more output: environmental, network, payloads, driver internals, etc., depending on category (e.g. `--debug-net-all`). Great if something isn\u2019t behaving. ([isync.sourceforge.io](https://isync.sourceforge.io/mbsync.html?utm_source=openai)) |\n| `-n`, `--dry-run` | Don\u2019t actually change anything \u2014 just show what *would* be done. Good for testing before you commit to a sync. ([linuxcommandlibrary.com](https://linuxcommandlibrary.com/man/mbsync?utm_source=openai)) |\n| `-l`, `--list` | Lists mailboxes in the selected channels (or all, with `-a`) without syncing. Helps verify configuration. ([mankier.com](https://www.mankier.com/1/mbsync?utm_source=openai)) |\n| `--list-stores` | Similar to `--list` but works at store level (IMAPStore / MaildirStore definitions), ignoring filters (Patterns) posed by channels. ([mankier.com](https://www.mankier.com/1/mbsync?utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\n## Combining options\n\nYou can mix them. Some examples:\n\n- `mbsync -a -V` \u2192 Sync everything, verbose output.  \n- `mbsync mychannel -nV` \u2192 Perform a dry run of just *mychannel*, with verbose reporting.  \n- `mbsync --list -V` \u2192 List what channels/mailboxes are configured, with details.  \n\n---\n\n## Advanced/Debug Info\n\nIf you need to go deeper (e.g. figuring out issues with IMAP server behavior, flag changes, large folder syncs), these are helpful:\n\n- `--debug-net-all` \u2014 Shows all network traffic, including payloads. Very verbose. ([futurile.net](https://www.futurile.net/2025/05/20/neomutt-mirror-imap-mbsync-tutorial/?utm_source=openai))  \n- `--debug-sync`, `--debug-maildir`, etc. \u2014 Narrower debugging categories to focus just on the aspect you care about. ([isync.sourceforge.io](https://isync.sourceforge.io/mbsync.html?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you tell me your `mbsyncrc` snippet (especially your channel names) I can help you craft the exact command that\u2019s best for your setup. Want to try that?"
    }
]