kb-anhonesthost/src/content/docs/whp/how-to/create-an-email-account.mdx

---
title: Create an email account
description: Add a mailbox on one of your domains and connect your email client.
sidebar:
  order: 3
---

import { Steps, Aside } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';
import SignIn from '~/content/partials/signing-in.mdx';
import Support from '~/content/partials/support-link.mdx';

## Before you start

- A **domain added** to your account.
- Decide what local part you want — the bit before the `@`. For example, `jane` to get `jane@example.com`.
- About 5 minutes.

## Sign in to WHP

<SignIn />

## Steps

<Steps>

1. From the sidebar, open **Email → Email Accounts → Add Account**.
   ![WHP Add Email Account page](~/assets/screenshots/whp/whp-email-add.png)

2. Pick the **domain** for this mailbox.

3. Enter the **local part** (the bit before `@`).

4. Set a **strong password** — at least 12 characters with a mix of upper case, lower case, numbers, and symbols. Email accounts are common attack targets.

5. Choose a **mailbox size cap**. The default is usually fine; you can raise it later or via an [email upgrade add-on](/whp/add-ons/email-upgrades/).

6. Click **Create**.

</Steps>

## Set up your email client

Mail server hostnames are per-domain. Find the exact incoming and outgoing hostnames for your domain on the **Dashboard** page in WHP — that page lists the IMAP, POP3, and SMTP host names along with the recommended ports and security settings.

The typical pattern is:

```text
IMAP (incoming)
  Host:     <see Dashboard>
  Port:     993
  Security: SSL/TLS
  Username: full email address (e.g., jane@example.com)
  Password: the one you set above

SMTP (outgoing)
  Host:     <see Dashboard>
  Port:     587
  Security: STARTTLS
  Username: full email address
  Password: same as IMAP
```

For per-client walkthroughs (Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.), see the Email clients section — coming soon.

## Webmail

The webmail URL for your domain is also listed on the **Dashboard** page in WHP.

## Verify it worked

Send yourself a test message from another account (your personal Gmail, for example). It should arrive within a minute or two and be retrievable from both your client and webmail.

<Aside type="caution">
  **SPF and DKIM records matter.** Without them, your outgoing mail will get flagged or rejected by other providers. If your domain is registered with us, we add these records automatically. If it's registered elsewhere, copy the SPF and DKIM records shown on the email account page into your registrar's DNS.
</Aside>

## Troubleshooting

**Webmail isn't reachable.** DNS for the mail subdomain may still be propagating — wait an hour and try again. The exact URL is on the Dashboard page in WHP.

**Outgoing mail is bouncing or going to spam.** Check the SPF and DKIM records at your registrar. The email account page in WHP shows the exact records you should have.

**Client can connect on IMAP but not SMTP.** Some ISPs and corporate networks block outgoing port 587. Try sending from a different network to confirm; if the issue is your network, your ISP is the place to ask.

## Related

- [Add a domain](/whp/how-to/add-a-domain/)
- [Archival email add-on](/whp/add-ons/archival-email/)
- [Email upgrades](/whp/add-ons/email-upgrades/)

## Still stuck?

<Support />