# Clawsker

> GUI editor for Claws Mail's hidden options

**Wikidata**: [Q105640879](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105640879)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/clawsker

## Summary

Clawsker is a free, open-source graphical utility program that provides a user-friendly interface for editing hidden configuration options in Claws Mail, a GTK-based email client. It allows users to access and modify advanced settings that are not exposed through the standard Claws Mail preferences dialog, making it an essential tool for power users who need fine-grained control over their email client. The software is distributed under free software licenses and runs on multiple Unix-like operating systems, including BSD variants, Linux distributions, and macOS.

## Key Facts

- **Type**: Free software utility application
- **Purpose**: GUI editor for Claws Mail's hidden configuration options
- **License**: Free software (references Wikidata , verified 2021-02-23)
- **Inception**: First released as version 0.0.1 on 2007-12-12
- **Current Stable Version**: 1.4.1 (released 2025-04-07, marked as preferred)
- **Developer**: Ricardo Mones (verified across multiple release announcements)
- **Website**: https://www.claws-mail.org/clawsker.php (English language)
- **GUI Framework**: GTK
- **Operating Systems**: BSD (including FreeBSD, NetBSD), Linux (Arch, Gentoo, Mageia, Ubuntu, Debian, Slackware)
- **Instance Of**: Utility software for Claws Mail, free software
- **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted
- **Debian Package**: Available since 2009-03-07 (source package: clawsker)
- **Source Code Repository**: Hosted on GitHub (https://github.com/mones/clawsker.git), Gitweb, and Salsa Debian

## FAQs

**What is Clawsker used for?**

Clawsker is a configuration editor that provides graphical access to hidden and advanced settings within Claws Mail that are not visible in the standard preferences interface. Users can modify internal variables, experimental features, and low-level configuration options through an intuitive GTK-based window rather than manually editing configuration files.

**Which operating systems support Clawsker?**

Clawsker runs on multiple platforms including FreeBSD (port: mail/clawsker), NetBSD (package ID: mail/clawsker), Arch Linux (package: clawsker), Gentoo (package: mail-client/clawsker), Mageia (package: clawsker), Ubuntu (package: clawsker), Debian (stable package: clawsker), and Slackware via SlackBuilds (misc/clawsker).

**Who develops Clawsker?**

Ricardo Mones is the primary developer of Clawsker, as evidenced by multiple release announcements on the Claws Mail users mailing list. The project is hosted on GitHub and maintains mirrors on the official Claws Mail Gitweb and Debian's Salsa platform.

**What is the latest version of Clawsker?**

The current stable version is 1.4.1, released on 2025-04-07. This version is marked as the preferred version and represents the latest stable release in a progression that began with version 0.0.1 in December 2007.

**Is Clawsker free to use?**

Yes, Clawsker is free software distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it along with modified versions. It is copyrighted but available as open source.

## Why It Matters

Clawsker fills a critical gap in the Claws Mail ecosystem by providing accessible graphical access to configuration options that would otherwise require manual editing of configuration files or direct manipulation of Claws Mail's internal settings. This matters because Claws Mail itself, while featuring an extensive preferences system, hides numerous advanced options that power users need for customization, debugging, or optimization. Without a tool like Clawsker, users would need to understand Claws Mail's internal configuration structure, locate the appropriate configuration files (typically stored in ~/.claws-mail/), and edit them directly—tasks that present barriers for less technical users and risk of configuration corruption. Clawsker democratizes access to these advanced features, making Claws Mail more configurable and adaptable to diverse user needs. The tool's existence also demonstrates the health of the free software ecosystem around Claws Mail, showing community-driven development that extends the core application's capabilities.

## Notable For

- **Long-term development continuity**: Spanning from 2007 to 2025 with consistent releases, demonstrating sustained maintenance over nearly two decades
- **Multi-platform availability**: Packaged for numerous operating systems including FreeBSD, NetBSD, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Mageia, Ubuntu, Debian, and Slackware
- **Active development**: Version 1.4.1 released as recently as April 2025, showing ongoing updates
- **Multiple stable versions**: The 1.3.x series alone produced six stable releases (1.3.1, 1.3.3, 1.3.4, 1.3.5, 1.3.8, 1.4.0, 1.4.1)
- **Community trust**: Listed in the Free Software Directory and maintained in Debian since 2009
- **Multiple repository mirrors**: Available on GitHub, official Claws Mail Gitweb, and Debian's Salsa platform

## Body

### History and Development

Clawsker's development began in December 2007 with the initial release of version 0.0.1 on December 12, 2007, followed shortly by version 0.1.0 on December 18, 2007. These early releases established the foundation for what would become the primary GUI tool for accessing Claws Mail's hidden configuration options.

The project experienced a significant development phase in May 2013, with multiple releases (0.2.0 through 0.7.9) all dated May 8, 2013, indicating a period of rapid feature development and consolidation. This was followed by version 0.7.10 on May 13, 2013, and subsequent maintenance releases throughout 2014-2016.

The transition to version 1.0.0 occurred on October 2, 2016, marking a mature release milestone. The 1.x series has continued with regular updates through 2025, including notable stable releases such as 1.3.1 (December 2018), 1.3.5 (January 2022), and the current stable version 1.4.1 (April 2025).

### Technical Architecture

Clawsker is built using the GTK toolkit, providing a native look and feel on Linux and BSD systems. It operates as a standalone utility that communicates with the underlying Claws Mail configuration system, reading and writing configuration values that are not accessible through the standard Claws Mail preferences dialog.

The software is available as source code and packaged for multiple distributions. The primary source repository is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/mones/clawsker.git, with the repository also available via the official Claws Mail Gitweb (https://git.claws-mail.org/?p=clawsker.git;a=summary) and read-only access at https://git.claws-mail.org/readonly/clawsker.git. Historical access was also available via git://git.claws-mail.org/clawsker.git until March 2022.

### Distribution and Packaging

Clawsker maintains broad platform support across free and open-source operating systems:

**BSD Systems:**
- FreeBSD: Port available as mail/clawsker
- NetBSD: Package ID mail/clawsker

**Linux Distributions:**
- Arch Linux: Package named clawsker
- Gentoo: Package mail-client/clawsker
- Mageia: Package named clawsker
- Ubuntu: Package named clawsker
- Debian: Source package clawsker (available since March 7, 2009), stable package also named clawsker
- Slackware: Available via SlackBuilds as misc/clawsker

This extensive packaging ensures that users across different Linux distributions and BSD variants can easily install and use the software through their preferred package managers.

### Release Timeline

The project has maintained a consistent release cadence with over 30 documented releases:

- **2007**: Versions 0.0.1, 0.1.0
- **2013**: Versions 0.2.0 through 0.7.10 (May releases)
- **2014**: Versions 0.7.11 (June), 0.7.12 (August)
- **2015**: Version 0.7.13 (August)
- **2016**: Versions 0.7.14 (August), 0.8.0 (September), 0.9.0 (September), 1.0.0 (October), 1.0.1 (November)
- **2017**: Versions 1.1.0 (March), 1.1.1 (December)
- **2018**: Versions 1.2.0 (August), 1.3.0 (December), 1.3.1 (December)
- **2020**: Version 1.3.2 (November)
- **2021**: Versions 1.3.3, 1.3.4 (February)
- **2022**: Versions 1.3.5 (January), 1.3.7 (October)
- **2023**: Version 1.3.8 (December)
- **2024**: Version 1.4.0 (September)
- **2025**: Version 1.4.1 (April, preferred stable)

### Relationship to Claws Mail

Clawsker is directly tied to Claws Mail, a GTK-based email client that originated on May 11, 2001. While Claws Mail provides extensive configuration options through its standard preferences system, many internal variables and experimental settings remain hidden. Clawsker serves as a companion tool that exposes these hidden options, functioning as an extension of Claws Mail's configuration capabilities rather than a standalone email application.

The developer, Ricardo Mones, is also involved in the broader Claws Mail project, as evidenced by release announcements posted to the official Claws Mail users mailing list. This connection ensures compatibility between Claws Mail and Clawsker across version updates.

### Community and Ecosystem

Clawsker benefits from integration into the broader free software ecosystem. It is listed in the Free Software Directory, which catalogs high-quality free software projects. The Debian project has maintained packaging since 2009, demonstrating long-term institutional support. The project uses standard development practices including public source code repositories, release announcements via mailing lists, and issue tracking through GitHub.

The software's availability across multiple distributions reflects community demand and the utility's value to Claws Mail users who require advanced configuration capabilities. Release announcements are published in English on the Claws Mail users mailing list, with the developer providing direct communication about new versions and their contents.

## References

1. Free Software Directory
2. [Clawsker 1.3.3 released. 2021](https://lists.claws-mail.org/pipermail/users/2021-February/027855.html)
3. [Release 1.3.3. 2021](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.3.3)
4. [Clawsker 1.3.4 released. 2021](https://lists.claws-mail.org/pipermail/users/2021-February/027856.html)
5. [Release 1.3.4. 2021](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.3.4)
6. [Release 0.0.1. 2007](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.0.1)
7. [Release 0.1.0. 2007](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.1.0)
8. [Release 0.2.0. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.2.0)
9. [Release 0.3.0. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.3.0)
10. [Release 0.4.0. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.4.0)
11. [Release 0.5.0. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.5.0)
12. [Release 0.6.0. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.6.0)
13. [Release 0.7.0. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.0)
14. [Release 0.7.1. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.1)
15. [Release 0.7.2. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.2)
16. [Release 0.7.5. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.5)
17. [Release 0.7.7. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.7)
18. [Release 0.7.8. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.8)
19. [Release 0.7.9. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.9)
20. [Release 0.7.10. 2013](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.10)
21. [Release 0.7.11. 2014](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.11)
22. [Release 0.7.12. 2014](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.12)
23. [Release 0.7.13. 2015](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.13)
24. [Release 0.7.14. 2016](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.7.14)
25. [Release 0.8.0. 2016](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.8.0)
26. [Release 0.9.0. 2016](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/0.9.0)
27. [Release 1.0.0. 2016](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.0.0)
28. [Release 1.0.1. 2016](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.0.1)
29. [Release 1.1.0. 2017](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.1.0)
30. [Release 1.1.1. 2017](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.1.1)
31. [Release 1.2.0. 2018](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.2.0)
32. [Release 1.3.0. 2018](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.3.0)
33. [Release 1.3.1. 2018](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.3.1)
34. [Clawsker 1.3.1 released. 2018](https://lists.claws-mail.org/pipermail/users/2018-December/023569.html)
35. [Release 1.3.2. 2020](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.3.2)
36. [Clawsker 1.3.5 released. 2022](https://lists.claws-mail.org/pipermail/users/2022-January/029284.html)
37. [Release 1.3.7. 2022](https://github.com/mones/clawsker/releases/tag/1.3.7)
38. [Clawsker 1.3.8 released. 2023](https://lists.claws-mail.org/pipermail/users/2023-December/032500.html)
39. [Clawsker 1.4.0 released. 2024](https://lists.claws-mail.org/pipermail/users/2024-September/033351.html)
40. [Clawsker 1.4.1 released. 2025](https://lists.claws-mail.org/pipermail/users/2025-April/034054.html)