---
title: SMTP and e-mail templates
description: Configure outgoing e-mail (SMTP), send a test message, edit the e-mail templates in each language, and read the delivery log.
url: https://nexcmp.com/docs/administration/smtp-and-emails/
applies_to: NexCMP 1.6.1
updated: 2026-11-02
---

# SMTP and e-mail templates

> **Where in the admin:** System › Settings › Email (`/settings/email`) — tabs **SMTP** and **Email templates**. Delivery log: Overview › Support › Sent emails (`/support/emails`).

## What it does

NexCMP sends e-mail for sign-up verification, password reset, "VM ready" (with the initial password), invoices, low balance, renewals, top-ups, support replies and more. All of them go through **one SMTP account that you provide**. Messages and templates exist in 16 languages; the customer's language is used.

## Requirements

| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| SMTP server | Host, port and credentials of any provider (your own server, Brevo, Amazon SES, Mailgun, Google Workspace …) |
| Network | Outbound TCP from the NexCMP server to the SMTP host and port (587 STARTTLS, 465 TLS or 25) |
| Sender domain | A domain you control, with **SPF and DKIM** published for the provider and a DMARC record |
| Permission | The SMTP account must be allowed to send as the **From** address |

::: warning Deliverability
E-mails such as "VM ready" contain passwords. If the sender domain's SPF/DKIM/DMARC does not match the SMTP provider, they land in spam. The page reminds you of this.
:::

## Prepare the e-mail provider

1. In your provider's panel add and verify your sending domain (for example `example.com`).
2. Publish the SPF, DKIM and DMARC DNS records the provider shows.
3. Create an SMTP user (or API-SMTP key) and note host, port, user name and password.

## Connect in NexCMP

1. Open **System › Settings › Email**, tab **SMTP**.
2. Fill the form:

| Field | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Host | `smtp.example.net` | SMTP server |
| Port | `587` | |
| Security | STARTTLS (587) | Choose the mode your provider requires |
| Username | `smtp-user` | |
| Password | (hidden) | Write-only: the page shows only whether one is set |
| From email | `no-reply@example.com` | Must be authorised at the provider |
| From name | `Example Cloud` | Defaults to your brand name |
| Reply-To (optional) | `support@example.com` | Where customer replies go |

![The SMTP tab of Settings, Email with host, port, security, user name, sender fields and the Send test button](https://nexcmp.com/docs/images/administration/smtp-and-emails-01-smtp.webp)

3. Click **Save**, then **Send test** and enter your own address.

The settings are stored in an access-restricted file (`smtp.json`, mode 0600) and only the background worker `nexcmp-vmd` sends mail; the web service only queues it.

## Verify

- The test message arrives in the inbox (check spam too). In the message source, confirm `dkim=pass` and `spf=pass`.
- Open **Support › Sent emails**: each message has a status (queued, sent, failed) and the delivery result. Failed messages are retried up to 3 times.
- Register a test customer in the portal and confirm the verification e-mail arrives.

## Edit e-mail templates

Tab **Email templates** lists every template by key, with the languages it exists in (for example `verify_email`, `reset_password`, `vm_ready`, `invoice_paid`, `low_balance`, `topup_received`, `ticket_reply`, `scale_up` …).

1. Click a template and choose a language.
2. Edit subject and body. Placeholders are filled in when a message is queued.
3. Save. The change applies **immediately** to messages queued afterwards.

![The Email templates tab listing template keys and their languages](https://nexcmp.com/docs/images/administration/smtp-and-emails-02-templates.webp)

## Limits and notes

- One SMTP account per installation. Resellers' customers receive e-mail through the same account unless the reseller is configured otherwise.
- Provider sending limits apply; NexCMP does not throttle beyond retrying.
- Without SMTP the panel works, but sign-up verification and password reset cannot be completed by customers.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Test e-mail never arrives | Wrong credentials, port blocked, sender not authorised | Check `journalctl -u nexcmp-vmd` for the SMTP error; try port 587 with STARTTLS; verify the From address at the provider. |
| Messages go to spam | SPF/DKIM/DMARC missing or misaligned | Publish the provider's records and send from that domain. |
| "failed" in Sent emails | Provider rejected the message | Open the row for the provider's response. |
| Password field looks empty after saving | By design (write-only) | The label shows "current: set" once a password is stored. |