3 public-inbox-purge - erase messages from a public inbox and its history
7 # requires ~/.public-inbox/config
8 public-inbox-purge --all </path/to/message-to-purge
10 # for testing with unconfigured inboxes:
11 public-inbox-purge $INBOX_DIR </path/to/message-to-purge
15 public-inbox-purge allows removing entire messages in a given
16 inbox from history. It is only intended as a last resort, as it
17 will cause discontiguous git history and draw more attention to
18 the sensitive data in mirrors.
20 For removing spam, L<public-inbox-learn(1)> is preferable as it
21 preserves contiguous git history.
23 For editing sensitive information out of messages, consider
24 L<public-inbox-edit(1)>, instead, but keep in mind it still
25 leads to discontiguous git history.
33 Purge the message in all inboxes configured in ~/.public-inbox/config.
34 This is an alternative to specifying individual inboxes directories
45 The default config file, normally "~/.public-inbox/config".
46 See L<public-inbox-config(5)>
52 Only L<public-inbox-v2-format(5)> inboxes are supported.
54 This is safe to run while normal inbox writing tools
55 (L<public-inbox-mda(1)>, L<public-inbox-watch(1)>,
56 L<public-inbox-learn(1)>) are active.
58 Running this in parallel with L<public-inbox-xcpdb(1)> or
59 C<"public-inbox-index --reindex"> can lead to errors or
60 purged data remaining indexed.
62 Incremental L<public-inbox-index(1)> (without C<--reindex>)
65 Keep in mind this is a last resort, as it will be disruptive
66 to anyone using L<git(1)> to mirror the inbox being purged.
70 Feedback welcome via plain-text mail to L<mailto:meta@public-inbox.org>
72 The mail archives are hosted at L<https://public-inbox.org/meta/> and
73 L<http://4uok3hntl7oi7b4uf4rtfwefqeexfzil2w6kgk2jn5z2f764irre7byd.onion/meta/>
77 Copyright 2019-2021 all contributors L<mailto:meta@public-inbox.org>
79 License: AGPL-3.0+ L<https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.txt>
83 L<public-inbox-edit(1)>, L<public-inbox-learn(1)>