The Manual · Vol. I
Field notes on Folio
Rev. April 2026

The reader begins here

Three books,
bound together.

The Manual explains how to run Folio after signup. Openings covers sign-in, domains, and identities; Correspondence covers composing, replies, drafts, and threads; Housekeeping covers billing, deliverability, security, and troubleshooting. Start with the first chapter, then return when a DNS, sending, or billing question comes up.

This manual is the longer version of the prospectus — written for the evening you've signed up, your first domain is pending on the screen, and you want to know whether the fourth TXT record really does matter. The books are independent; most readers start at the first chapter of Openings and stop when things feel familiar.

Updated 11 May 2026 (2026-05-11)

Common questions

Where do readers start?

What's the fastest way to get a domain sending?

Open the wizard at /app/domains/new, paste exactly the DNS records it shows at your registrar, then verify from the domain detail page. The base records cover MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC; carrier records may also appear for Amazon SES identity and MAIL FROM alignment.

How do I add a second identity to my account?

Bind a second domain via /app/domains/new. Each domain becomes its own sending identity with its own DKIM key, its own color stripe in the inbox list, and its own auto-selected reply From.

Where do I read about deliverability — DKIM, SPF, DMARC?

Book III chapter 2 (/docs/deliverability) covers the three records in detail and explains how Folio provisions them per-domain. The /writing/spf-dkim-dmarc-for-solo-founders essay covers the same ground for first-time operators.

Where do I find pricing and billing details?

Book III chapter 1 (/docs/billing) explains the per-tier domain caps, the annual vs. monthly cadence, and how to manage your Stripe portal. /pricing has the marketing summary.

§ Sources & further reading


Colophon

Set in Fraunces (display & text) and IBM Plex Mono (small caps, figures, and DNS). Printed in burnt sienna and ink black on warm paper.