Lead with what makes it different #121

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opened 2026-08-28 06:12:28 +00:00 by jcoffey-dev · 0 comments

jcoffey-dev commented

2026-08-28 06:12:28 +00:00

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Repositions the README around immutability, now that it is true and shipped (#117–#120) and production runs that way.

Before: "A fast, friendly, Gmail-class webmail for Stalwart Mail Server" — describes the client, and is roughly what every webmail says.

After: "Immutable webmail for Stalwart Mail Server — a container with nothing to persist, and a Gmail-class client on top of it."

The Gmail comparison stays, one clause later. It is the fastest way to tell someone what the client feels like to use; it just isn't the differentiator. Immutability is — no other webmail for Stalwart can make the claim, and the competition mostly can't either: Roundcube and SOGo need a database, and Bulwark writes a setup wizard's config to a volume that is always read-write.

Also adds a Runs read-only bullet to What's in it, pointing at the existing Running immutably section rather than repeating it.

Kept honest

The claim is scoped to what is actually true: IMMUTABLE=1 is opt-in and off by default, and the README's Running immutably section already states the cost in plain terms — sessions live in memory, so every deploy signs everyone out. Nothing here implies the app is immutable in some inherent sense; it says the container can be, and what that costs.

Merged 2026-08-27 as coffey-labs/ihasmail@6bbe2448c4

_{Rebuilt from: git history, session transcript.}

Repositions the README around immutability, now that it is true and shipped (#117–#120) and production runs that way. **Before:** *"A fast, friendly, Gmail-class webmail for Stalwart Mail Server"* — describes the client, and is roughly what every webmail says. **After:** *"Immutable webmail for Stalwart Mail Server — a container with nothing to persist, and a Gmail-class client on top of it."* The Gmail comparison stays, one clause later. It is the fastest way to tell someone what the client feels like to use; it just isn't the differentiator. Immutability is — no other webmail for Stalwart can make the claim, and the competition mostly can't either: Roundcube and SOGo need a database, and Bulwark writes a setup wizard's config to a volume that is always read-write. Also adds a **Runs read-only** bullet to *What's in it*, pointing at the existing `Running immutably` section rather than repeating it. ### Kept honest The claim is scoped to what is actually true: `IMMUTABLE=1` is opt-in and off by default, and the README's `Running immutably` section already states the cost in plain terms — sessions live in memory, so every deploy signs everyone out. Nothing here implies the app is immutable in some inherent sense; it says the container can be, and what that costs. **Merged** 2026-08-27 as coffey-labs/ihasmail@6bbe2448c4d3 <sub>Rebuilt from: git history, session transcript.</sub>

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Reference: coffey-labs/ihasmail-github-archive#121