Skip to content

Email Settings Administration

Overview

KrakenHashes supports email functionality through multiple providers: SendGrid, Mailgun, and SMTP. This document covers the configuration and management of email settings through the admin interface.

Provider Configuration

Email Settings Configuration Admin Settings Email Configuration page showing Mailgun provider setup with API Key, Domain, From Name, From Email, and Monthly Limit fields

SendGrid

To configure SendGrid as your email provider:

  1. Select "SendGrid" from the Provider dropdown
  2. Configure the following fields:
  3. API Key: Your SendGrid API key with email sending permissions
  4. From Email: The verified sender email address
  5. From Name: Display name for the sender (defaults to "KrakenHashes")
  6. Monthly Limit: (Optional) Set a monthly email sending limit

Mailgun

To configure Mailgun as your email provider:

  1. Select "Mailgun" from the Provider dropdown
  2. Configure the following fields:
  3. API Key: Your Mailgun API key
  4. Domain: Your verified Mailgun domain
  5. From Email: The verified sender email address
  6. From Name: Display name for the sender (defaults to "KrakenHashes")
  7. Monthly Limit: (Optional) Set a monthly email sending limit

SMTP

To configure a custom SMTP server as your email provider:

  1. Select "SMTP" from the Provider dropdown
  2. Configure the following fields:
  3. Host: Your SMTP server hostname (e.g., smtp.gmail.com, smtp.office365.com)
  4. Port: SMTP server port (auto-selected based on encryption if not specified)
  5. Username: SMTP authentication username
  6. Password: SMTP authentication password
  7. From Email: The sender email address
  8. From Name: Display name for the sender (defaults to "KrakenHashes")
  9. Encryption: Select encryption mode:
    • None: Plain SMTP without encryption (port 25, not recommended for production)
    • STARTTLS: Start with plain connection and upgrade to TLS (port 587, recommended)
    • TLS/SSL: Direct TLS connection (port 465, legacy but widely supported)
  10. Skip TLS Verify: ⚠️ Only enable for self-signed certificates (security risk)

SMTP Configuration Notes

Default Ports: - None (no encryption): Port 25 - STARTTLS: Port 587 (recommended for most providers) - TLS/SSL: Port 465 (implicit TLS)

Connection Timeouts: - All SMTP connections have a 30-second timeout to prevent indefinite hanging - If connection fails, check firewall rules and server availability

Password Management: - When updating existing SMTP configuration, you can leave the password field empty to keep the current password - The password is stored securely and displayed as [REDACTED] in the UI - Only enter a password when creating new configuration or changing the existing password

Supported SMTP Providers: - Gmail (requires App Password if 2FA enabled) - Office 365 / Outlook.com - Custom mail servers - Self-hosted SMTP servers

Security Warning: - The "Skip TLS Verify" option should only be used for self-signed certificates in trusted environments - Always use STARTTLS or TLS/SSL encryption in production - Never use "None" encryption for production email

Monthly Limit

The monthly limit field is optional: - Leave empty for unlimited emails - Set a numeric value to limit monthly email sending - Helps prevent unexpected costs from email service providers

Testing and Saving Configuration

Configuration Options

When saving email provider settings, you have three options:

  1. Cancel: Discard changes and return to previous settings
  2. Save Configuration: Save settings without testing
  3. Test and Save: Test the configuration before saving

Testing Process

When using "Test and Save":

  1. Enter a test email address
  2. System sends a test email to verify configuration
  3. If successful:
  4. Configuration is saved
  5. Confirmation message displayed
  6. If failed:
  7. Error message displayed
  8. Configuration not saved
  9. Troubleshooting information provided

Email Templates

Email templates are managed separately from provider configuration.

Best Practices

  1. Provider Selection
  2. Choose based on your volume needs
  3. Consider provider-specific features

  4. Review pricing structures

  5. Configuration Testing

  6. Always test configuration before deployment
  7. Verify emails are received

  8. Check spam folder during testing

  9. Monthly Limits

  10. Set based on expected usage
  11. Include buffer for unexpected spikes

  12. Monitor usage through provider dashboards

  13. Security Considerations

  14. Store API keys securely
  15. Use dedicated sending domains
  16. Regularly rotate API keys
  17. Monitor for unusual activity

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  1. Emails Not Sending
  2. Verify API key permissions
  3. Check monthly limit hasn't been reached
  4. Confirm sender email is verified

  5. Review provider dashboard for blocks

  6. Test Emails Failing

  7. Verify API key is correct (SendGrid, Mailgun)
  8. Verify SMTP credentials are correct (SMTP)
  9. Check domain configuration (Mailgun)
  10. Check port and encryption settings (SMTP)
  11. Ensure test email address is valid

  12. Review error messages in admin interface

  13. SMTP Connection Issues

  14. Verify hostname is correct and reachable
  15. Check if port is blocked by firewall
  16. Confirm encryption mode matches server requirements
  17. For Gmail: Use App Password, not account password
  18. For Office 365: Ensure SMTP AUTH is enabled

  19. Connection timeout (30 seconds) may indicate network issues

  20. Template Issues

  21. Verify template syntax
  22. Check variable names match expected format
  23. Preview templates before saving
  24. Test with various data scenarios