How to use the command 'keepassxc-cli' (with examples)

KeepassXC is a highly versatile password manager built with security and functionality in mind. The keepassxc-cli is its command-line interface, enabling users to perform various operations on their KeePass databases without needing the graphical user interface. This is especially useful for those who prefer working in terminal environments or require automation capability in their workflow. Here’s an exploration of the various ways you can leverage keepassxc-cli to manage and secure your passwords effectively.

Use case 1: Search entries

Code:

keepassxc-cli search path/to/database_file name

Motivation:

The search command is indispensable when you have a large database with numerous entries. By searching for specific entries via the command line, you can quickly locate the desired credentials without manually sifting through your entire list. This functionality is crucial in day-to-day operations for rapid access and verification of entries.

Explanation:

• path/to/database_file: Specifies the path to the KeePass database file you wish to search. This path helps the CLI identify which database to search in.

• name: The search keyword or string that you are looking for within the database entries. This keyword helps filter the entries to narrow down to the relevant ones.

Example Output:

Entry Name: Email
Username: user@example.com
URL: https://example.com
Notes: Example email credentials

Use case 2: List the contents of a folder

Code:

keepassxc-cli ls path/to/database_file /path/to/directory

Motivation:

Listing the contents of a specific directory within your database is useful for getting an overview of all entries under a particular category or folder. This is beneficial in organizing, categorizing, and quickly accessing particular sets of credentials.

Explanation:

• path/to/database_file: Indicates the path to the specific KeePass database file.

• /path/to/directory: Specifies the folder path within the KeePass database whose contents you wish to list. This helps in organizing and managing entries within structured categories.

Example Output:

Documents/
    Tax Documentation
    Company Policies
Financial/
    Bank Account
    Credit Card

Use case 3: Add an entry with an auto-generated password

Code:

keepassxc-cli add --generate path/to/database_file entry_name

Motivation:

Adding a new entry with an automatically generated password reduces the risk associated with creating weak or guessable passwords. By using the keepassxc-cli for this task, you can quickly insert new secure entries into your database without needing to worry about password strength.

Explanation:

• --generate: This option tells the CLI to create a secure, random password for the new entry, which adheres to best practices for password creation.

• path/to/database_file: The path to the KeePass database where the new entry will be added.

• entry_name: The desired name for the new entry. It serves as the identifier for the password within the database.

Example Output:

Entry "entry_name" added with a generated password.

Use case 4: Delete an entry

Code:

keepassxc-cli rm path/to/database_file entry_name

Motivation:

Occasionally, you might find outdated or unnecessary entries in your database that could clutter your organization or pose a security risk. Deleting such entries via keepassxc-cli ensures a clean and efficient password database, maintaining optimal security and management.

Explanation:

• path/to/database_file: Specifies which KeePass database to operate on.

• entry_name: The exact name of the entry you wish to remove. The name must match exactly to ensure the correct entry is deleted.

Example Output:

Entry "entry_name" deleted.

Use case 5: Copy an entry’s password to the clipboard

Code:

keepassxc-cli clip path/to/database_file entry_name

Motivation:

Copying an entry’s password directly to the clipboard allows for quick pasting into login fields, increasing workflow efficiency. This method ensures password confidentiality during the transfer from your password manager to the application requiring it, thus minimizing exposure.

Explanation:

• path/to/database_file: Indicates the specific KeePass database being accessed.

• entry_name: The name of the entry from which you want to extract the password and copy it to the clipboard. The entry name must match precisely to retrieve the correct password.

Example Output:

Copied password for entry "entry_name" to clipboard.

Use case 6: Copy a TOTP code to the clipboard

Code:

keepassxc-cli clip --totp path/to/database_file entry_name

Motivation:

Many online services use Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) for two-factor authentication (2FA). Using keepassxc-cli to copy the TOTP directly to the clipboard simplifies the process of entering this code, providing quicker access while enhancing security.

Explanation:

• --totp: This flag indicates that a TOTP code should be generated and copied from the given entry instead of a password.

• path/to/database_file: The path pointing to the KeePass database file.

• entry_name: Identifies the specific entry from which the TOTP will be generated and copied.

Example Output:

Copied TOTP for entry "entry_name" to clipboard.

Use case 7: Generate a passphrase with 7 words

Code:

keepassxc-cli diceware --words 7

Motivation:

Generating a passphrase composed of multiple words provides robust password security, leveraging the ease of memorability and the cryptographic strength of longer phrases. Such passphrases strike a balance between usability and security.

Explanation:

• diceware: Refers to the method of generating a passphrase using the Diceware methodology, which creates random phrases from a predefined list.

• --words 7: Specifies that the passphrase should consist of 7 randomly selected words, aiding both security and practicality.

Example Output:

Unifying-Eagle Meadow-Indigo Dinner-Mushroom Artist-Journey

Use case 8: Generate a password with 16 printable ASCII characters

Code:

keepassxc-cli generate --lower --upper --numeric --special --length 16

Motivation:

Creating a password with a diverse character set ensures maximum complexity and security, which is highly recommended for accounts that require strong protection. The ability to customize the character types allows users to abide by specific security policies and requirements.

Explanation:

• generate: Indicates that a new password will be generated.

• --lower --upper --numeric --special: These flags specify the inclusion of lowercase, uppercase, numeric, and special characters in the password, respectively. This ensures a wide character set for enhanced security.

• --length 16: Sets the desired length of the password to 16 characters, balancing complexity with user requirements.

Example Output:

tG9!xV@6nP$3Lq#8

Conclusion:

keepassxc-cli is a powerful command-line tool that makes managing password databases efficient and streamlined. Its diverse set of commands and options makes it applicable in various scenarios, from searching entries to generating secure passwords and passphrases. By fully utilizing this tool, users can ensure their digital security is robust, all while maintaining ease of access and organization.