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Getting Started

Getting Started with DodaMail

This guide covers system prerequisites, installation steps across all supported operating systems, initial launch behavior, the first-run account setup wizard, and the 30-day full-featured evaluation trial.

System Requirements

DodaMail is engineered in Rust and Tauri, providing a native binary footprint that uses a fraction of the system resources consumed by traditional Electron-based email clients.

Resource Minimum Requirement Recommended Specification
Operating System Windows 10/11 (64-bit), macOS 11+ (Intel/Apple Silicon), Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+, Fedora 36+, Arch Linux) Windows 11 64-bit, macOS 14+, Linux Kernel 6.0+
Processor Dual-core 1.8 GHz x86_64 or ARM64 Quad-core 2.5 GHz or higher
RAM 1 GB available system RAM 2 GB to 4 GB RAM (supports 100,000+ local messages)
Disk Space 250 MB for application binary 2 GB+ SSD storage (dependent on message cache and attachments)
Network IMAP over SSL/TLS (port 993) or STARTTLS (port 143), SMTP over SSL/TLS (port 465) or STARTTLS (port 587) High-speed broadband for initial sync

Installation

Windows (.msi / .exe)

  1. Download the official installer: DodaMail-Setup-x64.exe or DodaMail.msi.
  2. Run the installer and follow the standard on-screen prompts.
  3. Once completed, launch DodaMail from the Start Menu or desktop shortcut.

macOS (.dmg)

  1. Download DodaMail-Universal.dmg (supports both Apple Silicon M-series and Intel processors).
  2. Double-click the .dmg file and drag the DodaMail icon into your Applications folder.
  3. Launch DodaMail from Spotlight (Cmd + Space -> type DodaMail).

Linux (.AppImage / .deb / .tar.gz)

  • AppImage: 
    chmod +x DodaMail-x86_64.AppImage
./DodaMail-x86_64.AppImage
  • Debian / Ubuntu (.deb): 
    sudo dpkg -i dodamail_amd64.deb
sudo apt-get install -f

First Launch & Welcome Wizard

When you launch DodaMail for the first time without any configured accounts, the application displays the Welcome & First-Run Wizard:

Controls on the Welcome Screen

Control Name Control Type Default State Action & Description
“Add First Email Account” Primary Button Highlighted Opens the Account Setup Modal to configure your initial IMAP/SMTP or Gmail/Outlook profile.
“Import Backup File” Secondary Button Enabled Opens the system file picker to restore an existing .dodabak archive from a previous installation.
“Explore Sample Data / Demo Mode” Text Link Enabled Populates the local database with sample mock threads and contacts to evaluate the interface before connecting a real email account.
“Language Selector” Dropdown System Default Switches the interface language between English, German, French, Spanish, Hindi, and other supported locales.
“Close / Exit” Window Control Enabled Gracefully terminates the application.

30-Day Free Trial & Evaluation Period

DodaMail offers a fully unrestricted, 30-day evaluation trial from the exact date and timestamp of your first launch. Unlike other software that cripples core functionality, your 30-day trial gives you access to every feature:

  • Unlimited accounts (Gmail, Outlook 365, Custom IMAP/SMTP).
  • SQLite FTS5 full-text indexing and instant search.
  • AI Email Summarizer and Smart Reply generator.
  • Complete offline caching and outbox background queue.
  • Custom filter rules and automated actions.
  • Local encrypted backup and restore engine.

Trial Countdown Indicator

During the 30-day trial period, the bottom of the left sidebar displays a dynamic status pill:

[ Trial: 28 Days Remaining ]

Clicking this indicator opens the Software Registration Modal, allowing you to inspect your trial timeline or activate a purchased license key.

The Day 25 Renewal Reminder

On Day 25 of your 30-day trial (when 5 or fewer days remain), DodaMail automatically presents a non-intrusive reminder dialog upon launch:

Controls on the Day 25 Reminder Dialog

Control Name Control Type Description
“Exclusive Upgrade Discount” Banner Informs you that you qualify for a 30% discount using coupon code FLAT30.
“Copy Coupon Code” Action Button Copies the code FLAT30 to your system clipboard for use at https://dodatech.com/shop/.
“Buy License Now” External Link Button Opens your default web browser directly to the checkout page with the coupon applied.
“Enter License Key” Secondary Button Opens the Software Registration Dialog if you have already completed purchase.
“Continue Evaluating” Dismiss Button Closes the reminder dialog and returns to your inbox. The reminder will not display again until the next application restart.

Note

Even if the 30-day evaluation window expires, your local SQLite database, cached messages, and personal drafts are never deleted or locked. You retain full offline read and export access to all your local data.

Main Interface Layout

Once an account is configured, the DodaMail desktop workspace is divided into three functional columns:

+----------------+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
|    SIDEBAR     |          THREAD LIST          |               THREAD VIEW               |
|                |                               |                                         |
| [Account Sel]  | [Search Bar: FTS5           ] | [Action Toolbar: Reply, Forward, Star]  |
| [+ Compose   ] | [Split/Wide Toggle] [Filter ] | [Header: Sender, Recipients, Padlock ]  |
|                |                               |                                         |
| > All Inboxes  | Thread 1: John Doe            | Message Body (Rich Text / Plain)        |
| > Inbox (12)   |   "Q3 Financial Report..."    |                                         |
| > Starred      |                               | [Attached Files (2)]                    |
| > Sent         | Thread 2: GitHub Notifications|                                         |
| > Outbox (0)   |   "[DodaMail] Pull Req #42..."| [AI Summarize] [AI Smart Reply Panel ]  |
| > Drafts       |                               |                                         |
| > Archive      | Thread 3: Alice Smith         | +-------------------------------------+ |
| > Trash        |   "Meeting Rescheduled..."    | | Quick Reply Input Box               | |
|                |                               | +-------------------------------------+ |
| [Labels]       |                               |                                         |
| [Trial Status] |                               |                                         |
| [Settings Gear]|                               |                                         |
+----------------+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
  1. Sidebar (Navigation Pane): Houses the multi-account selector, primary Compose button, standard system folders, custom colored labels, offline outbox badge, trial status pill, and the application Settings trigger.
  2. Thread List (Index Pane): Displays message threads matching the selected folder or search query. Features mass-selection checkboxes, batch actions, read/unread status indicators, and sorting controls.
  3. Thread View (Reading & Response Pane): Renders the selected email conversation with collapsible quote blocks, security indicators, tracker blocking details, attachment inspection lightbox, AI summary cards, and inline quick-reply tools.