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Hylki is a free, open-source email client for Linux designed for GNOME. Built with Rust, GTK 4, and libadwaita, it combines multiple mail accounts in one desktop app, with features such as a unified inbox, search, scheduled sending, and OpenPGP. It was previously called Vireo; the project says the Hylki name begins with version 1.35.0.
What is Hylki?
Hylki is a desktop email application focused on the GNOME environment. Its project describes it as built with Rust, GTK 4, and libadwaita, and publishes it as free and open-source software. The project manifesto says Hylki will remain free software under the AGPLv3 license. Hylki project website · Hylki GitHub repository
Hylki was previously named Vireo. According to the project, the rename began with version 1.35.0, and Hylki can migrate accounts, settings, and cached mail from Vireo. If you already used Vireo, check the current migration guidance before changing or removing the old installation.
What can you do with Hylki?
Manage multiple accounts and mail protocols
The project lists support for IMAP, POP3, and JMAP, plus background synchronization across multiple accounts and a combined inbox. It also documents IMAP IDLE, OAuth sign-in for Google and Microsoft accounts, and GNOME Online Accounts integration. These are documented capabilities, not a guarantee that every provider or account configuration will work identically; follow Hylki’s current provider-specific setup instructions.
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Search, organize, and keep actions in sync
Hylki provides mailbox search and indexing, filters, and tags. It can synchronize message actions such as deleting, moving, or flagging mail made in another client. Tags may be stored on the mail server as keywords when the provider supports that behavior.
Compose and send on your schedule
The project documents rich-text, Markdown, HTML, and plain-text composition, along with scheduled sending. Its Outbox can retry messages after connection failures. Hylki also lists an adaptive three-pane layout, which is designed to suit different window sizes.
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Use OpenPGP and optional cloud attachment links
Hylki supports OpenPGP using GnuPG installed on the computer. For large attachments, it can upload files to a supported storage service and add a share link to a message. The documented options include Nextcloud, ownCloud, OpenCloud, Seafile, OneDrive, and Dropbox; the project describes options for link expiry and password protection. This is an optional workflow, not a requirement to buy or use a particular cloud plan.
How does Hylki handle privacy?
The project says remote content in messages is blocked by default until permitted, credentials are stored in the operating system’s keyring, and decrypted mail is not written to the cache. These statements describe the project’s intended design; they are not an independent security audit or a guarantee about how every mail provider processes account data. For credential persistence, Hylki’s install documentation specifies a system Secret Service keyring.
How do you install Hylki on Linux?
The project recommends installing Hylki as a Flatpak and also lists an RPM package for Fedora. Its website documents Flatpak builds for x86_64 and aarch64 systems. Because package availability, runtime requirements, and supported distribution versions can change, use the current official Hylki website or repository for the latest installation steps rather than relying on an old command or package name.
Some integrations have additional desktop requirements: GNOME Online Accounts and Contacts integration depend on the relevant GNOME components, and persistent credential storage requires a Secret Service keyring. Check those requirements if an account sign-in or saved-password feature does not work as expected.
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Is Hylki a good email client for GNOME?
Hylki is worth considering if you want an open-source desktop client with GNOME-oriented integration, multiple accounts, a combined inbox, and features such as filters, scheduled sending, and OpenPGP. Its support for IMAP, POP3, and JMAP offers several ways to connect accounts, but setup and feature availability remain provider-dependent.
Whether it is a good fit depends on your account provider, desktop environment, and preferred workflow. The project documents useful privacy controls and optional cloud attachment integrations, but those claims should not be mistaken for independent verification. The sources do not provide a comparable performance benchmark against other email clients, so there is no evidence-based basis here for calling it universally faster or better.
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