Frappe Mail, Server, Agent - Docker Installation and Roadmap?

Frappe Framework
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TL;DR:

What’s the plan for the Mail system (mail, mail_server, mail_agent) in 2025? Will they be further integrated, or become more discreet? Deepening the mail capabilities/integration of ERPNext could have significant implications for what’s possible with the system. I love the recent progress, and hope it stays on the roadmap. :+1:

Note: After writing the rest of this, it occurs to me that, aside from the installation methods themselves, most of this can be chalked up to documention trailing development – which is to be expected.

Backstory {feel free to skip this}

I’m new to Frappe/ERPNext after starting with open source SugarCRM before the SuiteCRM fork became necessary. This framework definitely has a learning curve, but it mostly makes sense now – I thiiiiiiink. :laughing:

I’ve spent parts of the past week testing Docker installation methods for Frappe + ERPNext + Apps. My first takeaway is it would have been much less confusing had the Easy Install Script (via Bench) method was referenced along with the main Docker Install Documentation (via Docker Compose). I saw references to easy-intall.py elsewhere, but initially had no idea it was also using Docker Compose to deploy (depending on args) essentially the same setup.

My second takeaway – in case it helps anyone else going down the Docker installation path – is that the Docker volume mounts from the documented Compose install and the Bench/script install will conflict without removing them between installs (prune, rm, etc.). That’s Docker 101, but it did take me a minute to connect the dots since they were coming from two separate github repos.

The Mail System Specifically

When attempting to add mail, mail_server, and mail_agent to the containerized Frappe + ERPNext install, things get fuzzy in a different way. Currently, Mail and Server depart from the Docker Compose path, and move to a Bench install from the CLI. Ostensibly, they could also be installed with the Easy Install Script described in the Build custom images and Deploy subheadings. Not saying that’s better or worse, just different.

What I would say is worse – at least currently – is that the only install method for Mail Agent is bare metal. At some point, will the Agent join the Frappe party and:

  1. Get containerized?
  2. Become an “App” available for Bench installs?

Background & References

There’s also a segment from this edit from the 2024 Frappeverse where @Sagar_Sharma discusses the system that’s worth watching:

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@jetatomic

Plans and roadmaps for Frappe Framework, ERPNext, and other Frappe Apps are not typically shared with the general Forum community. There have been exceptions in the past. But usually you cannot find that information here. Or you find it, but it lacks detail.

Although all the software is Open Source and Open Contribution, it is not usually Open Collaboration or Open Governance. Decisions are made by a small group of people, many employed at a private corporation. We (the forum users and general public), don’t usually know who these people are. While I could certainly make some educated guesses at the names of owners and maintainers, it would only be a guess. There is no updated, publicly available list of Who’s Who.

So, to discover the Plans and Roadmaps you’re asking about, you will probably need to try one of these approaches:

  • Contribute a sufficient amount of code improvements or enhancements, over a period of time (TBD), to the point where you’re promoted to a Maintainer yourself. Or at least invited into the trusted circle of contributors and decision makers. I know a few people have definitely accomplished this.
  • Invest in the project financially. You would then have influence to request detailed information like plans or roadmaps from the leadership team.
  • Make friends with a Maintainer(s) to the point where they’re willing to chat openly about plans and roadmaps with you.
  • Get lucky today and a friendly Maintainer will 1) Notice your forum post, and 2) Decide they want to share the information you ask for.

(I liked your installation and mail feedback, btw. :+1: )

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@jetatomic Welcome to the community!

We’re currently refactoring the architecture and transitioning to a mono-repo design to streamline development and simplify management. Once this gets merged, we’ll add a Docker setup for the mail app.

While the roadmap (GitHub Project) isn’t public yet, we’re planning to launch the product during the upcoming Frappe Build. At that point, the roadmap covering fixes, enhancements, and planned features will also be made public.

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