[ OK ]Initializing kernel...
~/im/services
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Mail Server Setup & Deliverability

Self-hosted mail with Exim4, Mailcow, Postfix, and Dovecot — configured with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC so mail actually reaches the inbox.

Running your own mail server is straightforward to get sending — and surprisingly easy to get landing in spam folders. I set up self-hosted mail with Postfix and Dovecot, Exim4, or Mailcow as a full all-in-one stack, and configure the DNS side (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and reverse DNS) that mail providers actually check.

Beyond the initial setup, that includes spam filtering with Rspamd or SpamAssassin, webmail access, and IMAP/SMTP configuration for desktop and mobile clients.

If you already have mailboxes somewhere else, they can be migrated to the new server without losing messages — and if deliverability is the actual problem on an existing server, that's something I can diagnose and fix directly.

What's Included

  • Mail server installation — Postfix + Dovecot, Exim4, or Mailcow
  • SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and reverse DNS (PTR) configuration for deliverability
  • Spam filtering (Rspamd or SpamAssassin) and antivirus scanning
  • Webmail (Roundcube or SOGo) and IMAP/SMTP setup for mail clients
  • Migration of existing mailboxes to the new server with no message loss
  • Deliverability checks — blacklist monitoring and inbox placement review

Technologies & Tools

PostfixDovecotExim4MailcowRspamdSPF/DKIM/DMARC

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my mail keep ending up in spam?
Usually one or more of: missing or misconfigured SPF/DKIM/DMARC records, no reverse DNS (PTR) matching your sending domain, or sending IP reputation issues. I can check what's actually wrong and fix the DNS/server side.
Mailcow vs. a traditional Postfix + Dovecot setup — which should I choose?
Mailcow bundles everything (mail, webmail, spam filtering, antivirus, admin UI) into a Docker-based stack that's faster to get running and easier to manage day-to-day. A traditional Postfix + Dovecot setup is more modular and lighter on resources, which can matter on smaller servers. Either is a solid choice.
Can you migrate my existing mailboxes without losing any messages?
Yes — mailboxes are synced to the new server using IMAP sync tools before DNS is switched over, so messages that arrive during the transition aren't lost on either side.
How long does mail server setup take, including DNS propagation?
The server-side setup itself is usually a day or so; DNS changes (especially MX records and reverse DNS with your provider) can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours to fully propagate, which is accounted for in the timeline.

Need Help With This?

Tell me about your setup and what you're trying to do — I'll get back to you with next steps.

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