Unlock the Power of Nodemailer: Send Emails Like a Pro
Get Started with Nodemailer
When building an application, sending emails to users is a crucial feature. Whether it’s a welcome message, account setup link, or notification, Nodemailer makes it easy to send emails directly from your server. In this tutorial, we’ll dive into the world of Nodemailer and explore how to configure an email address, send emails, attach files, add CC and BCC fields, and style your email templates with CSS and HTML.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, make sure you have:
- Node.js v6.0.0 or later installed globally on your machine
- npm installed globally on your machine
- Basic knowledge of Node.js and JavaScript
Configuring Your Email Address
To send emails with Nodemailer, you’ll need a configured email address. If you’re using Gmail, you’ll need to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and generate an app password. Follow these steps:
- Enable 2FA on your Gmail account
- Generate an app password and store it securely
Setting Up Your Node.js Server
Create a new directory for your project and install Express Handlebars, a templating engine that allows you to create HTML email templates.
Creating an Email Template
In the root of your project, create a folder called views and add a file called email.handlebars. This file will hold the HTML code and styles for your emails. Use Handlebars to add variables to your HTML template, which can be replaced with actual values later.
Sending an Email with Nodemailer
Create a file called server.js and add the code to trigger sending an email. Use the mailOptions object to specify the template file and context object to replace variables with actual values.
Adding Attachments to Your Email
Create a folder called attachments and add files you want to attach to your email. Update the mailOptions object to include the attachments array.
Adding CC and BCC Fields
Add fields for CC and BCC to forward your email to multiple email addresses at once. Update the mailOptions object to include the CC and BCC fields.
Styling Your Email Template
Add styles to your email template using a style block in the <head> section of your email.handlebars file.
Taking Control of Your Emails
With Nodemailer, you have the power to create and send emails securely and efficiently. Whether you’re sending welcome messages or notifications, Nodemailer makes it easy to communicate with your application’s users.