.RS 4
.TP 4
-.B text
+.BR text " (default for messages)"
The default plain-text format has all text-content MIME parts
decoded. Various components in the output,
will be delimited by easily-parsed markers. Each marker consists of a
Control-L character (ASCII decimal 12), the name of the marker, and
then either an opening or closing brace, ('{' or '}'), to either open
-or close the component.
+or close the component. For a multipart MIME message, these parts will
+be nested.
.RE
.RS 4
.TP 4
The output is formatted with Javascript Object Notation (JSON). This
format is more robust than the text format for automated
-processing. JSON output always includes all messages in a matching
-thread; in effect
+processing. The nested structure of multipart MIME messages is
+reflected in nested JSON output. JSON output always includes all
+messages in a matching thread; in effect
.B \-\-format=json
implies
.B \-\-entire\-thread
beginning with "From " (preceded by zero or more '>' characters) have
an additional '>' character added. This reversible escaping
is termed "mboxrd" format and described in detail here:
+
+.nf
+.nh
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jonathan.deboynepollard/FGA/mail-mbox-formats.html
+.hy
+.fi
+.
.RE
.RS 4
.TP 4
-.B raw
+.BR raw " (default for a single part, see \-\-part)"
+
+For a message, the original, raw content of the email message is
+output. Consumers of this format should expect to implement MIME
+decoding and similar functions.
-The original, raw content of the email message is displayed.
-Consumers of this format should expect to implement MIME decoding and
-similar functions. This format must only be used with search terms
-matching a single message.
+For a single part (\-\-part) the raw part content is output after
+performing any necessary MIME decoding.
+The raw format must only be used with search terms matching single
+message.
+.RE
.RE
+
+.RS 4
+.TP 4
+.B \-\-part=N
+
+Output the single decoded MIME part N of a single message. The search
+terms must match only a single message. Message parts are numbered in
+a depth-first walk of the message MIME structure, and are identified
+in the 'json' or 'text' output formats.
+.RE
+
A common use of
.B notmuch show
is to display a single thread of email messages. For this, use a
.B "SEARCH SYNTAX"
section below for details of the supported syntax for <search-terms>.
.RE
-.TP
+.RS 4
+.TP 4
.BR count " <search-term>..."
Count messages matching the search terms.