How to use the command 'age-keygen' (with examples)

age-keygen is a command-line tool used for generating and managing key pairs, specifically for the age encryption tool. The age system is designed for simple, modern, and secure file encryption. With age-keygen, users can generate private and public keys for use with age, facilitating secure encryption and decryption processes. Whether you are a system administrator needing to secure files or an individual seeking a reliable way to protect sensitive data, understanding how to effectively use age-keygen is crucial.

Use case 1: Generate a key pair, save it to an unencrypted file, and print the public key to stdout

Code:

age-keygen --output path/to/file

Motivation:

In the realm of data security, the generation of key pairs is a fundamental practice. It allows for the encryption and decryption of files using separate keys, which enhances security and ensures that even if a key is compromised, the corresponding private key remains safe. This use case is particularly useful for administrators and users who need to securely manage and store keys while keeping the public key readily accessible. By printing the public key to stdout, users can easily share it with others or use it in scripts and other automated processes.

Explanation:

• age-keygen: This is the command that invokes the tool to generate a set of cryptographic keys.
• --output path/to/file: This argument specifies the file path where the newly generated key pair will be saved. The file will contain the private key in an unencrypted form. It is crucial to ensure that the storage location is secure. The public key, part of this pair, is what will be displayed on the standard output (stdout), allowing easy copying and sharing without compromising the private key.

Example Output:

Public key: age1qfvum86j3xuqw9zx7km5kyd7rp3z0r0fwaptmu8ravslf8cls7nslmaqk5

This output provides the user with the public key, which can be shared with peers or used to encrypt files intending for decryption by the private key.

Use case 2: Convert an identity to a recipient and print the public key to stdout

Code:

age-keygen -y path/to/file

Motivation:

There are situations where users might already have an existing key file containing private keys and they wish to retrieve the corresponding public key. This scenario is common when updating systems or integrating existing keys into new encryption paradigms. The ability to convert identities (private keys) to recipients (public keys) simplifies key management and distribution by allowing users to extract and utilize public keys easily.

Explanation:

• age-keygen: This is the command used to manage age keys, including generating and converting them.
• -y: This flag is used for converting from an identity to a recipient. It tells the tool to output the public portion corresponding to the identity provided.
• path/to/file: This is the path to the key file that contains the private identity you wish to convert. The resultant public key will be printed to stdout for immediate use.

Example Output:

Recipient public key: age19dlclers4tmuylqg7kd9wqld4ypvvsztzl3hj0zuyrzmu3c7slrq4u9f35

Here, the output showcases the public key derived from the given identity file, ready to be used in file encryption or shared with trusted parties for secure communications.

Conclusion

The age-keygen tool is invaluable for managing the keys required in the age encryption system. Whether you are generating new key pairs or converting existing identities to recipients, understanding how to effectively leverage the command ensures robust data security and efficient key management. Each use case demonstrates a specific scenario, providing flexibility and adaptability in how keys are handled and utilized within your encryption practices.