Enigmail reads GPG_AGENT_INFO and the setting in the enigmail options menu in thunderbird. If you have unchecked "Use gpg-agent for passphrases" in the Advanced Tab but GPG_AGENT_INFO environment variable is somehow set it starts a new gpg-agent instance (it's not using an existent one). As i have problems with gpg-agent i want to use the built-in gpg handling and unchecked the "use gpg-agent" box but it still uses gpg-agent. So i found this: http://www.amiryan.org/2009/04/22/bugfix-howto-turn-off-gpg-agent-usage-in-enigmail-thunderbird/ I think it's much better to change the || into &&, although this may occur with systems that don't have the GPG_AGENT_INFO set. Reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. Emerge thunderbird and enigmail 2. Uncheck "Use gpg-agent for passphrases" in Advanced Enigmail Tab 3. Click on a GPG mail Actual Results: GPG-Agent is used Expected Results: Enigmail popup for GPG passphrase should have popped up
If your having issues with gpg-agent you should file a bug against it. I have double checked the code and it is fine as is. Please describe your gpg-agent issue and we will be more then willing to help you get it resolved.
If your system uses gpg-agent or a similar tool for passphrase handling (gpg-agent is mandatory if GnuPG v2.0 or later is used). Since caching of passphrases is handled by gpg-agent, the respective timeout settings in OpenPGP are disregarded. In order to change passphrase caching options, please configure your gpg-agent tool.
