Use Multiple Alias Files

Prerequisites

1. A working alias setup (see Using the Address Book).

Split Contacts into Separate Files

1. Create one file per group:

touch ~/.config/neomutt/aliases-personal
touch ~/.config/neomutt/aliases-work

2. Move the relevant aliases into each file:

~/.config/neomutt/aliases-personal:

alias alice Alice Example <alice@example.com>   # tags:friends
alias bob   Bob Builder <bob@example.com>

~/.config/neomutt/aliases-work:

alias carol Carol Davis <carol@company.com>     # tags:work
alias dave  Dave Evans <dave@company.com>        # tags:work

Load All Alias Files

1. Source each file in your neomuttrc:

source ~/.config/neomutt/aliases-personal
source ~/.config/neomutt/aliases-work

Expected result: all aliases from both files are available at address prompts.

Set alias_file for Interactive Saves

$alias_file can point to only one file. New aliases created with <create-alias> (pressing a on a message) are saved there.

1. Choose the file you want new aliases saved to:

set alias_file = "~/.config/neomutt/aliases-personal"

Expected result: pressing a on a message appends the alias to the personal file.

Reload After Changes

After editing any alias file, reload it:

:source ~/.config/neomutt/aliases-work

Or reload all files at once by re-sourcing your main config:

:source ~/.config/neomutt/neomuttrc

Expected result: changes take effect without restarting NeoMutt.

See Manage Aliases for the full alias syntax and Using the Address Book for the setup tutorial.