How to use the command `secrethub` (with examples)
The secrethub command is a tool used to keep secrets out of config files. It provides a secure way to store sensitive information such as passwords, API keys, and tokens. This article will illustrate several use cases of the secrethub command and explain how each one works.
Use case 1: Print a secret to stdout
Code:
secrethub read path/to/secret
Motivation: In some situations, you may need to retrieve a secret value and use it directly in a script or command. By printing the secret to stdout, you can easily capture and use it further in your workflow.
Explanation: The secrethub read command is used to read the value of a secret and print it to stdout. The path/to/secret argument specifies the location of the secret that needs to be read.
Example output:
super_secret_password123
Use case 2: Generate a random value and store it as a new or updated secret
Code:
secrethub generate path/to/secret
Motivation: When creating a new secret or updating an existing one, you may want to generate a random value. This use case allows you to generate a random value and store it securely as a secret.
Explanation: The secrethub generate command generates a random value and stores it as a new or updated secret. The path/to/secret argument specifies the location where the secret will be stored.
Example output:
success: secret at "path/to/secret" updated
Use case 3: Store a value from the clipboard as a new or updated secret
Code:
secrethub write --clip path/to/secret
Motivation: Copying a value to the clipboard and then storing it as a secret allows for a more convenient and secure way of handling sensitive information within your workflow.
Explanation: The secrethub write --clip command is used to store a value from the clipboard as a new or updated secret. The path/to/secret argument specifies the location where the secret will be stored.
Example output:
success: secret at "path/to/secret" updated
Use case 4: Store a value supplied on stdin as a new or updated secret
Code:
echo "secret_value" | secrethub write path/to/secret
Motivation: In some cases, you may have a secret value available from another command or as part of a pipeline. Storing this value directly from stdin allows for easy integration into your workflow.
Explanation: The secrethub write command with stdin redirects the value passed through echo to the standard input of the command. The path/to/secret argument specifies the location where the secret will be stored.
Example output:
success: secret at "path/to/secret" updated
Use case 5: Audit a repository or secret
Code:
secrethub audit path/to/repo_or_secret
Motivation: It is important to regularly audit your secrets to ensure that they are properly protected. This use case allows you to audit either a repository or a specific secret to verify their security status.
Explanation: The secrethub audit command is used to audit a repository or a specific secret. The path/to/repo_or_secret argument specifies the location of the repository or secret that needs to be audited.
Example output:
Audit successful.
Conclusion
The secrethub command provides a secure way to store and manage secrets within your workflow. By following the examples provided in this article, you can effectively use the command to retrieve, store, and audit secrets in a secure manner.
