Tidemark works without email. Connect an SMTP server if you want password reset (the Forgot your password? link) or email verification for new accounts. Without a mail server configured the reset link is hidden.
SMTP settings
Add these to your .env file (your host or mail provider shows the values):
MAIL_MAILER=smtp MAIL_HOST=mail.example.com MAIL_PORT=587 MAIL_USERNAME=hello@example.com MAIL_PASSWORD=your-password MAIL_FROM_ADDRESS=hello@example.com MAIL_FROM_NAME="Tidemark"
| Port | Connection | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| 587 | STARTTLS | leave MAIL_SCHEME unset |
| 465 | Implicit TLS | MAIL_SCHEME=smtps |
If you use a cached configuration, run php artisan config:clear after changing .env . Send yourself a test by using Forgot your password? on the sign-in page.
Password reset
When mail is configured, the sign-in page shows Forgot your password?. It emails a link that is valid for an hour and works once. The page always says "if an account exists, a link is on its way", so it can't be used to find out which addresses have accounts.
Email verification
Set TIDEMARK_VERIFY_EMAIL=true to make new accounts confirm their email address before they can add sites. They get a confirmation link when they register and a banner with a Resend button until they confirm. Accounts that already exist, and accounts an administrator creates under Account settings → Users, count as verified.
Verification only matters when registration is open, and it needs working SMTP, otherwise new users could never confirm.