You will need to know the following information prior to using X-Commands, and using the examples shown below.

• The list name; shown as XXX in the examples.

• Your password; shown as PPP in the examples.

• Which list server your mailing list resides on; shown as ListsN in the examples. If you do not know where your list resides, you will find it in the first segment of the URL (address) for your List Tools. It will show the word "lists" followed by a number (lists7 or lists5, for example).
  
  Use lists2 if the URL shows either lists2 or lists6.
  Use lists5 if the URL shows either lists or lists5.
  Use lists7 if the URL shows lists7.
  Use lists3 if the URL shows lists3 or a communities list server.

• In addition to the variables shown above, Address@any.net will indicate where to enter the subscriber's address.

Composing your X-Command e-mail:

• X-Commands are mailed to the following addresses. Choose the applicable address, based on format (-L or -D), and substitute the XXX with the list name.

       XXX-L-request@rootsweb.com
       XXX-D-request@rootsweb.com

• The subject line can be anything you choose, or you can leave it blank. Do not use a subject line beginning with "RE:" (something you commonly see if a message is forwarded); it triggers the mailing list program to divert the unprocessed request to you.

• The first line in the body of the message starts with the term "X-Command:" (without the quote marks). There must not be any spaces prior to the term.
  
  The command component can continue on the first line, or be entered on the second line of the message (which is usually easier). If the command is on a separate line, it must be indented at least one space.
  
  Tip: If there is something wrong in the setup with the administrator's address or the list password, the headers of the returned message will show:
  X-Diagnostic: Suspicious X-Command: XXXXX format
  

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe an E-mail Address:
You can combine subscribe and unsubscribe requests into a single e-mail, if you wish. You cannot combine formats (-L and -D).

Example of message (change variables in red).
All lines begin with at least one space, except the first line.

X-Command: XXX-admin@listsN.rootsweb.com PPP   subscribe Address1@any.net   subscribe Address2@any.net   unsubscribe Address3@any.net (continue until all listed)

Obtain a Listing of All Subscribers:

Example of message (change variables in red).
All lines begin with at least one space, except the first line.

X-Command: XXX-admin@listsN.rootsweb.com PPP   showdist

To Check for a Specific Subscriber:
You will receive a multigram when using this command. You can enter the entire address of the user, or just a portion of the address.

Example of message (change variables in red).
All lines begin with at least one space, except the first line.

X-Command: XXX-admin@listsN.rootsweb.com PPP   checkdist Address@any.net

Related Links:
Multigrams; What They Are; How to Interpret