IMAP, or Internet Message Access Protocol, operates as a protocol for accessing and managing email messages on a mail server. Its key features include enabling users to organize their emails into folders, allowing multiple devices to access the same email account without duplicating messages. While IMAP was designed during an era that did not prioritize network efficiency, this has prompted discussions about its heavy resource use and potential improvements in its design. Users have suggested alternative naming conventions for some commands to improve clarity and ease of use.