How to pipe unrouted emails to a specific script in cPanel?

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: cPanel & WHM 138 (Jupiter theme)

Unrouted email is mail for addresses on your domain that have no mailbox or forwarder. Instead of rejecting it, cPanel can pass it to a script, for example a ticket system that reads incoming mail.

Steps

1. Log in to cPanel (for example at https://yourdomain.com:2083, or from the Ucartz client area).
2. Open Email › Default Address and choose the domain.
3. Click Advanced Options.
4. Choose Pipe to a Program and enter the path to the script relative to your home directory, for example public_html/support/pipe.php.
5. Click Change.

Script requirements

• The first line must name the interpreter, for example #!/usr/local/bin/php -q.
• The file must be executable: set its permissions to 755.
• The script must not print any output; output is treated as an error and bounced to the sender.

Note: Every spam message sent to a random address on your domain will also reach the script. To pipe only one address, use a forwarder with Pipe to a Program in Email › Forwarders instead.