In Unix, how do I attach a signature file to mail messages or newsgroup postings?

To attach a signature file to a mail message or posting, Unix programs such as mailers and newsreaders often look in your home directory for the .signature file. The mail program Pine and the newsreaders trn, rn, nn, and Pnews automatically append this file to your message. You can create a signature file with an editor, such as Emacs, Pico, or vi.

Note: Some programs require that your signature contain four or fewer lines of text.

To include your signature in a message you are editing, follow the appropriate step below:

• In Emacs, enter: C-x i ~/.signature For more information on how to enter this command in Emacs, see In Emacs, how are keystrokes denoted?
  
  
• In Pico, enter: Ctrl-r ~/.signature
• In vi, enter: :r ~/.signature
• In tin, enter: ln -s ~/.signature ~/.sig This will create a link named .sig to your .signature file, enabling tin to find it.

At Indiana University, to get support for personal or departmental Linux or Unix systems, see At IU, how do I get support for Linux or Unix?

Also see:

• In Unix, using Berkeley mail, how can I have a .signature file automatically appended?
• In email, what is a signature?
• In Pine, how do I automatically append my signature to mail messages?
• In Emacs, how are keystrokes denoted?