# alimail-configuration

Part of **ALIMAIL**

<!-- intent-backlink:auto -->

> 💡 **Path Selection**: This skill is one implementation path for the following routing skills. If you're unsure which path to take, check the corresponding routing skill:

> - [Set up secure email communication](../../intent/alimail-configure-communication/SKILL.md)
> - [Resolve email sending failure issues](../../intent/alimail-resolve-failure/SKILL.md)

# Alibaba Mail Email Configuration Console Guide

## Operations Overview

| Operation | Console Entry | Prerequisites | Description |
|------|-----------|---------|------|
| Set Default Time Zone | Console > Mail > Settings > General Settings > Time Zone Settings | None | Configure the default time zone for your mailbox interface. |
| Configure Email Display Settings | Console > Mail > Settings > Display | User must be logged into their Alibaba Mail account | Adjust font size, theme, and other visual preferences in the web client. |
| Configure Email Client | Console > Mail > Settings > POP/IMAP | Active Alibaba Mail account; access to mail console; email client software | Enable POP or IMAP access and retrieve server settings for external clients. |
| Configure DNS Records | Console > Mail > Domain Management > DNS Settings | Domain ownership verified; access to DNS management console | Add MX, CNAME, and TXT records for Alibaba Mail Finance Cloud. |
| Purchase Mailbox Subscription | Console > Billing > Orders | An Alibaba Finance Cloud account | Buy the Alibaba Mail Finance Cloud Edition with specified mailbox count and duration. |
| Setup Email Domain | Console > Alibaba Mail > Domain Management | Domain name purchased through Alibaba Mail; valid Alibaba Cloud credentials | Complete domain activation, DNS resolution, and employee account creation. |
| Configure DNS for Email Domain | Console > Mail > Domain Management > DNS Settings | Domain registered with third-party provider; Alibaba Mail service purchased | Manually configure DNS records for non-Alibaba Cloud domains. |
| Access Domain Admin Platform | Console > Alibaba Mail > Domain Admin Platform | Administrator (postmaster) credentials; knowledge of region/edition | Navigate to the domain admin console or webmail using region-specific URLs. |

## Operation Steps

### Set Default Time Zone

**Navigation**: Console > Mail > Settings > General Settings > Time Zone Settings

1. Click the **Settings** (button) in the upper-right corner of the mailbox interface.
   - Notes: Opens the settings panel.

2. Navigate to **General Settings** (link) in the left navigation panel.
   - Notes: Loads general configuration options.

3. Select a time zone from the dropdown in the **Default Time Zone Settings** (section) in the main content area.
   - Notes: The list includes global time zones; users can scroll or search to find their region.

### Configure Email Display Settings

**Navigation**: Console > Mail > Settings > Display

**Prerequisites**:
- User must be logged into their Alibaba Mail account

1. Click the **Settings** (link) in the top-right corner of the mail interface.
   - Notes: Opens the settings menu.

2. Click on the **Display** (tab) in the left navigation panel.
   - Notes: Switches to display configuration view.

3. Adjust display preferences using the **Font Size** (dropdown) in the main content area.
   - Notes: Options include Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large.

4. Select a theme using the **Theme** (dropdown) in the main content area.
   - Notes: Available themes: Light, Dark, and Auto.

5. Click **Save** (button) at the bottom of the page.
   - Notes: Changes take effect immediately after saving.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Options/Values | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|----------------|-------------|
| Font Size | dropdown | No | Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large | Controls the size of text displayed in emails and interface elements |
| Theme | dropdown | No | Light, Dark, Auto | Determines the visual theme of the email client interface |

### Configure Email Client

**Navigation**: Console > Mail > Settings > POP/IMAP

**Prerequisites**:
- An active Alibaba Mail account
- Access to the mail console
- Email client software (e.g., Outlook, Thunderbird)

1. Click the **Settings** (link) in the top-right corner of the mail interface.
   - Notes: Opens settings panel.

2. Click on the **POP/IMAP** (tab) in the left navigation panel.
   - Notes: Loads protocol configuration options.

3. Enable POP or IMAP access by checking **Enable POP** (checkbox) or **Enable IMAP** (checkbox) in the main content area.
   - Notes: Select based on whether you want to download (POP) or sync (IMAP) emails.

4. Click **Copy Settings** (button) at the bottom of the settings section.
   - Notes: Copies server address, port, and encryption method for use in your email client.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Options/Values | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|----------------|-------------|
| Enable POP | checkbox | No | — | Turn on POP access to download emails to your local client |
| Enable IMAP | checkbox | No | — | Turn on IMAP access to synchronize emails across devices |
| Server Address | text_input | Yes | — | The incoming mail server address (e.g., pop.mail.aliyun.com) |
| Port | number_input | Yes | — | The port number for the selected protocol (e.g., 995 for POP with SSL) |
| Encryption Method | dropdown | Yes | SSL/TLS, STARTTLS, None | Choose the encryption method for secure connection |

### Configure DNS Records

**Navigation**: Console > Mail > Domain Management > DNS Settings

**Prerequisites**:
- Domain ownership verified
- Access to DNS management console of your domain provider

1. Click **DNS Settings** (link) in the left navigation panel.
   - Notes: Ensure you are logged into the correct account with permissions to modify DNS records.

2. Click **Add Record** (button) in the main content area to add an MX record.
   - Notes: Select 'MX' as the record type and enter priority and value per documentation.

3. Click **Add Record** (button) again to add a CNAME record for imap.
   - Notes: Set the host to 'imap' and the value to 'imap.fin.aliyun.com'.

4. Click **Add Record** (button) to add a CNAME record for pop3.
   - Notes: Set the host to 'pop3' and the value to 'pop.fin.aliyun.com'.

5. Click **Add Record** (button) to add a CNAME record for smtp.
   - Notes: Set the host to 'smtp' and the value to 'smtp.fin.aliyun.com'.

6. Click **Add Record** (button) to add a CNAME record for mail.
   - Notes: Set the host to 'mail' and the value to 'mail.fin.aliyun.com'.

7. Click **Add Record** (button) to add a TXT record for SPF verification.
   - Notes: Set the host to '@' and the value to 'v=spf1 include:spf.fin.aliyun.com -all'.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Options/Values | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|----------------|-------------|
| Record Type | dropdown | Yes | A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS, SRV | Specifies the type of DNS record to be created |
| Host | text_input | Yes | — | The subdomain or root domain (use '@' for root) |
| Priority | number_input | No | — | Used only for MX records; lower numbers = higher priority |
| Value | text_input | Yes | — | The target address or value for the DNS record |
| TTL | number_input | No | — | Time to live in seconds; default is 300 |

### Purchase Mailbox Subscription

**Navigation**: Console > Billing > Orders

**Prerequisites**:
- An Alibaba Finance Cloud account

1. Log on to your Alibaba Finance Cloud account and navigate to the Alibaba Mail Finance Cloud Edition details page, then click **Buy Now** (button) on the details page.
   - Notes: Redirects to purchase form.

2. Enter the number of accounts in the **text box** (text_input) on the purchase form.
   - Notes: Minimum is 5 accounts.

3. Enter the domain name in the **text box** (text_input) on the purchase form.
   - Notes: The domain to attach to the mailboxes.

4. Select a subscription duration using the **dropdown** (dropdown) on the purchase form.
   - Notes: Options vary by plan.

5. Review the total price and click **Buy Now** (button) on the purchase form.
   - Notes: Proceeds to order review.

6. Review order details, agree to the Alibaba Mail Service Terms, and click **Proceed to Pay** (button) on the order review page.
   - Notes: Confirms acceptance of terms.

7. Select a payment method and click **Pay** (button) on the payment interface.
   - Notes: If the payment interface is closed accidentally, return to the console and use the 'Pay' button in the Orders list.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Options/Values | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|----------------|-------------|
| Number of accounts | number_input | Yes | — | Minimum 5; enter desired number of mailboxes |
| Domain name | text_input | Yes | — | The domain name to be attached to the purchased mailboxes |
| Subscription duration | dropdown | Yes | — | Choose the length of the subscription period |

### Setup Email Domain

**Navigation**: Console > Alibaba Mail > Domain Management

**Prerequisites**:
- Domain name purchased through Alibaba Mail
- Access to Alibaba Cloud console with valid credentials

1. Log on to the **Alibaba Cloud console** (link) via the top navigation bar.
   - Notes: Requires valid login credentials.

2. Find and click the **mailbox domain name** (link) in the application domain name list.
   - Notes: Navigates to domain-specific management page.

3. Click **Novice Guide** (button) in the top-right corner of the page.
   - Notes: Automatically configures DNS for domains purchased via Alibaba Cloud.

4. After domain resolution completes, click **Manage** (button) in the Actions column.
   - Notes: Allows password reset for the postmaster account.

5. Click **Create organization structure** (button) in the main content area.
   - Notes: Supports import from CSV or other formats.

6. Click **Account creation** (button) under the organization department section.
   - Notes: Supports bulk import, deletion, and freezing of employee accounts.

7. Employees access email via **Webmail login** (link) in the top-right corner of the webmail interface.
   - Notes: Login using assigned email address and password.

### Configure DNS for Email Domain

**Navigation**: Console > Mail > Domain Management > DNS Settings

**Prerequisites**:
- Domain name registered with a third-party provider
- Access to the domain name's DNS management console
- Alibaba Mail service already purchased and configured

1. Log in to your domain registrar’s platform using **Login** (text_input) in the top-right corner.
   - Notes: Outside Alibaba Cloud console.

2. Navigate to **Domain Name Management** (link) in the left navigation panel.
   - Notes: Enters domain control panel.

3. Click **DNS** (tab) in the left-side navigation pane.
   - Notes: Opens DNS record management.

4. Click **Add Record** (button) in the main content area.
   - Notes: Starts creation of a new DNS entry.

5. Select **MX** (dropdown) as the record type and set priority and target.
   - Notes: Set priority to 5 for mxn.mxhichina.com and 10 for mxw.mxhichina.com.

6. Enter **@** in the **Host** (text_input) field and **mxn.mxhichina.com** as the target.
   - Notes: Configures primary mail server.

7. Click **Add Another** (button) in the form footer to add a second MX record.
   - Notes: Repeat with mxw.mxhichina.com and priority 10.

8. Select **TXT** (dropdown) as the record type for SPF.
   - Notes: Enter **v=spf1 include:spf.mxhichina.com -all** as the record value.

9. Click **Save Changes** (button) at the bottom of the form.
   - Notes: Changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate globally.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Options/Values | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|----------------|-------------|
| Record Type | dropdown | Yes | A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, SRV | Specifies the type of DNS record to be created |
| Host | text_input | Yes | — | The subdomain or hostname (e.g., @, pop3, imap) |
| Points To | text_input | Yes | — | The destination value (e.g., mxn.mxhichina.com) |
| Priority | number_input | Yes | — | For MX records; lower = higher priority |
| TTL | dropdown | No | 1 Minute, 5 Minutes, 1 Hour, 1 Day | Time-to-live for the DNS record |

### Access Domain Admin Platform

**Navigation**: Console > Alibaba Mail > Domain Admin Platform

**Prerequisites**:
- Administrator account (postmaster) credentials
- Knowledge of the user's region or edition (Standard, Domestic, Singapore, China (Hong Kong), Germany, United States)

1. Log on to the **domain admin platform** (link) in the main content area.
   - Notes: Choose the appropriate URL based on your edition and region (e.g., https://qiye.aliyun.com for China).

2. Log on to **webmail** (link) in the main content area.
   - Notes: Use region-specific URLs (e.g., https://mail.de.alibabacloud.com for Germany).

## FAQ

Q: Where do I find POP/IMAP settings in Alibaba Mail?
A: Go to Settings (top-right) > POP/IMAP tab in the left panel. You must enable the protocol before copying server details.

Q: What happens if I leave the time zone unset?
A: The mailbox will use the browser’s detected time zone by default, but it’s recommended to set it explicitly for consistency.

Q: Can I modify DNS records after initial setup?
A: Yes, you can edit or delete DNS records at any time via the Domain Management > DNS Settings page, but changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate.

Q: What permissions do I need to purchase a mailbox subscription?
A: You need an Alibaba Finance Cloud account with billing permissions and the ability to create orders in the console.

Q: Do display settings affect how emails appear to recipients?
A: No, display settings only change how emails are rendered in your own web client interface, not in the recipient’s inbox.

## Pricing & Billing

### Billing Model
Per-account-year pricing for Alibaba Mail Finance Cloud Edition; DNS and client configuration features are free.

### Price Reference
| Tier | Price |
|------|-------|
| Alibaba Mail Finance Cloud Edition | 260 /account/year |

### Free Tier
- Time zone and display settings: Free for all users
- POP/IMAP access: Free for all Alibaba Mail users
- DNS record configuration: No separate charge (billed via mailbox subscription)
- Monthly free allowance: 1 million tokens (for related services, not email configuration)

### Billing Notes
- DNS changes themselves are not billed; costs are tied to mailbox count and subscription duration.
- Additional features like email archiving or security auditing may require separate paid subscriptions.
- Payment must be completed via the Orders page; incomplete payments can be resumed using the 'Pay' button in the order list.