Password manager cmd

•

bulkarticlewriting

Updated on

Struggling to remember all your different passwords? I know the feeling. , it feels like every single service demands a unique, super-complex password. If you’re not using a password manager, you’re either reusing weak passwords which is a huge no-go for security! or constantly hitting “Forgot Password.” And even with a good password manager, sometimes the graphical interface just doesn’t cut it, especially when you’re working in a terminal or trying to automate tasks.

That’s where command line CLI password managers swoop in! They might sound a bit intimidating at first, but trust me, they’re incredibly powerful tools that can speed up your workflow and bake security right into your daily tech habits. Think about it: accessing passwords, generating new ones, or even tweaking system-wide password policies, all with a few quick keystrokes. It’s not just for hardcore developers, either. Anyone who spends time in a terminal, whether on Windows, macOS, or Linux, can benefit.

In this, we’re going to break down everything about using a password manager from the command line. We’ll look at built-in Windows tools like cmdkey and net accounts, explore popular third-party CLI managers like Bitwarden, KeePassXC, LastPass, 1Password, and Pass, and even cover how to integrate them into your scripts for ultimate automation. Plus, we’ll talk about crucial security best practices to keep your digital life locked down. If you’re looking for a solid, user-friendly password manager that also offers robust command-line tools for those moments you need them, you should definitely check out NordPass – it’s a fantastic option for keeping all your credentials safe and sound, and you can give it a try right here: NordPass. So, if you’re ready to level up your password game, let’s jump in!

NordPass

Why Bother with a Command Line Password Manager?

You might be thinking, “Why would I want to type commands when I can just click a button?” And that’s a fair question! For everyday, casual use, a graphical user interface GUI password manager is usually perfectly fine. But for some of us, especially if you’re a developer, system administrator, or just someone who loves the efficiency of the terminal, a command line interface CLI password manager offers some serious advantages:

0.0
0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)
Excellent0%
Very good0%
Average0%
Poor0%
Terrible0%

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

​
Amazon.com: Check Amazon for Password manager cmd
Latest Discussions & Reviews:
  • Speed and Efficiency: Once you know the commands, it’s often much faster to type a quick command than to open a GUI, navigate menus, and click around. Imagine needing a password for a server. typing lpass show server-login --password and having it copied to your clipboard instantly is much quicker than opening a desktop app, searching, and manually copying.
  • Automation and Scripting: This is arguably the biggest win. CLI tools are built for scripting. If you’re writing a script to deploy a new server, set up an environment, or perform routine maintenance, you can programmatically fetch passwords, API keys, or other secrets without hardcoding them into your script which is a huge security risk!.
  • Server Environments: Many servers don’t have a graphical interface. If you’re SSH’d into a remote machine, a CLI password manager is often your only option for securely accessing stored credentials without compromising them.
  • Minimal Resource Usage: GUI applications can be resource-intensive. CLI tools are typically lightweight, using less RAM and CPU, which can be important for older machines or low-resource environments.
  • Consistency Across Platforms: While command syntax might differ slightly, the concept of managing passwords via CLI is consistent across Linux, macOS, and Windows via PowerShell or Command Prompt.

So, while the GUI has its place, the command line offers a powerful, flexible, and secure way to handle your sensitive information, especially when automation and efficiency are key.

NordPass

Windows: Built-in Command Line Tools for Password Management

Even if you’re typically a GUI person, Windows actually has some useful command-line tools for managing credentials and password policies. They might not be full-blown password managers in the way Bitwarden or NordPass are, but they’re essential for system administration and understanding how Windows handles your saved login info.

Windows Credential Manager with cmdkey

Windows Credential Manager is where your system stores usernames and passwords for network shares, websites, and applications. Think of it like a mini-vault for Windows-specific logins. While you can open it graphically, the cmdkey utility lets you manage these credentials right from Command Prompt or PowerShell. Password manager compromised

It’s a fantastic tool for things like:

  • Connecting to network drives.
  • Accessing specific websites that require Windows authentication.
  • Automating tasks that need network logins.

Here’s how you can use it:

  • Listing Stored Credentials:
    To see what credentials Windows has saved, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type: 

    cmdkey /list

    This command will show you a list of all saved “Windows Credentials” and “Generic Credentials.” You’ll see the target e.g., a server name or network address and the username associated with it.

    Important Note: You’ll notice that cmdkey /list does not show the actual passwords. This is a security feature, not a bug! For your safety, Windows encrypts these passwords and doesn’t provide a direct command-line way to retrieve them in plain text. So, if you’re trying to view a forgotten password using this method, you’re out of luck. This limitation reinforces the need for a dedicated password manager. Best Password Managers: CNET’s Top Picks & More for 2025

  • Adding New Credentials:
    You can add new network or generic credentials. This is super handy if you need to script a login to a network resource.

    • Adding a network credential for a computer/domain: 

      cmdkey /add:TargetName /user:YourDomain\Username /pass:YourPassword

      Replace TargetName with the computer name, IP address, or domain. YourDomain\Username is how you’d specify the user, and YourPassword is, well, the password.
      For example:
      cmdkey /add:fileserver01 /user:MYDOMAIN\johndoe /pass:SuperSecurePass123!
      If you omit /pass:YourPassword, cmdkey will prompt you to enter the password securely, which is a better practice to avoid it showing up in your command history.

    • Adding a generic credential for applications or general services:
      cmdkey /generic:ApplicationName /user:[email protected] /pass:YourPassword
      This is useful for credentials not tied to a specific network resource, like certain web services.

  • Deleting Stored Credentials:
    Got an old credential you don’t need anymore, or one that’s causing login issues? You can easily remove it.
    cmdkey /delete:TargetName
    Again, replace TargetName with the name of the credential you want to delete. For example, to remove the fileserver01 credential:
    cmdkey /delete:fileserver01
    You can also use /delete /ras to delete all Remote Access Service RAS credentials. Password manager for cjleads

Managing Password Policies with net accounts

Beyond individual credentials, Windows also lets you manage system-wide password policies from the command line using net accounts. This is more for administrators or those wanting to enforce stricter security on a local machine, like setting minimum password length or how often passwords expire.

  • Viewing Current Password Policy:
    To see the current password policy settings for your local machine, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type:
    net accounts
    This will show you details like the minimum password length, maximum password age, password history, and more.

  • Setting Password Policy Parameters:
    You can modify several policy settings. Remember, these changes affect all local user accounts on that machine.

    • Minimum Password Length: Requires passwords to be at least a certain number of characters.
      net accounts /minpwlen:Length
      Replace Length with a number between 0 and 14. For example, to enforce a minimum of 8 characters:
      net accounts /minpwlen:8
    • Maximum Password Age: Sets how many days a password is valid before a user is forced to change it.
      net accounts /maxpwage:Days
      Replace Days with a number from 1 to 999. You can also use UNLIMITED if you never want passwords to expire though this isn’t recommended for security.
      net accounts /maxpwage:90
    • Minimum Password Age: Specifies how many days must pass before a user can change their password again. This prevents users from quickly cycling through old passwords to reuse a favorite.
      net accounts /minpwage:Days
      Often set to 1 day.
      net accounts /minpwage:1
    • Unique Passwords Password History: Determines how many previous passwords a user must use before they can reuse an old one.
      net accounts /uniquepw:Number
      The number can be from 0 to 24.
      net accounts /uniquepw:5

  • Changing a User’s Password with net user:
    While not strictly a “password manager,” net user is used to manage local user accounts, including changing their passwords.
    net user Username NewPassword
    For example:
    net user johndoe MySuperNewPass!
    “` If you type net user Username *, the command prompt will ask you to enter the new password twice, which hides it from your screen as you type.

These built-in Windows CMD tools are powerful for system-level password and credential management, especially for network resources and enforcing security policies. However, for a comprehensive, cross-platform personal password vault, you’ll want a dedicated password manager with CLI capabilities. Password manager cisco

NordPass

Dedicated CLI Password Managers: Your Digital Vault on the Command Line

Now, let’s talk about the real stars of the show: dedicated password managers that offer robust command-line interfaces. These are full-featured tools that let you store all kinds of sensitive information – logins, secure notes, credit card details, and more – and access them without ever leaving your terminal. They bring a new level of flexibility and automation to your security routine.

Here are some of the top contenders you’ll find people raving about, along with how to get started:

Bitwarden CLI

Bitwarden is an incredibly popular open-source password manager, known for its strong encryption, cross-platform support, and generous free tier. Its CLI tool bw is equally powerful and a favorite among developers and power users.

  • Why it’s great for CLI: It’s cloud-synced, so your command-line vault stays in sync with your desktop and mobile apps. It supports JSON output, making it super easy to parse data for scripting.
  • Installation:
    • Linux Snap: sudo snap install bw
    • Linux npm, if Node.js is installed: npm install -g @bitwarden/cli
    • Windows Winget: winget install -e --id Bitwarden.CLI
    • Alternatively, you can download the native executable for your OS from the Bitwarden website, unzip it, give it executable permissions chmod u+x bw on Linux/macOS, and move it to a directory in your system’s PATH e.g., /usr/local/bin on Linux/macOS or C:\Program Files\Bitwarden CLI on Windows.
  • Getting Started Basic Commands:

    • Log in: First, you need to log into your Bitwarden account. The Ultimate Guide to Password Managers for Chrome OS: Keeping Your Digital Life Ironclad 

      bw login
It'll prompt you for your email, master password, and any 2FA code.
Once logged in, Bitwarden will give you a session key. It's highly recommended to store this in an environment variable e.g., `export BW_SESSION="your_session_key"` in Linux/macOS or `$env:BW_SESSION="your_session_key"` in PowerShell so you don't have to re-enter your master password for every command.

    • Unlock your vault: If your vault is locked, you can unlock it:
      bw unlock
      You’ll need your master password here.

    • List items: See all your stored items logins, secure notes, etc.:
      bw list items
      You can use --search "your_search_term" to filter results.

    • Get a password: To retrieve a specific password, you’ll usually need the item’s ID. You can get this from bw list items.
      bw get password “item_id_or_name”
      Or to get the username:
      bw get username “item_id_or_name”
      You can also pipe it directly to your clipboard for quick pasting. For instance, on Linux with xclip installed:
      bw get password “MyExampleLogin” | xclip -selection clipboard

    • Generate a password:
      bw generate password
      You can customize length, character types, etc., with various options.

    • Create an item: This is a bit more involved as it requires a JSON template, but it allows for complete automation.
      echo ‘{ “organizationId”: null, “folderId”: “your_folder_id”, “type”: 1, “name”: “New Website”, “notes”: “Some notes here”, “login”: { “username”: “newuser”, “password”: “generated_password” }, “fields”: }’ | bw create item
      It’s easier to first get a template with bw get template item and then fill it out. Password vault for chrome

KeePassXC CLI

KeePassXC is a popular free and open-source, offline-first password manager that stores your data in an encrypted .kdbx file. Its CLI keepassxc-cli is a favorite for those who prefer local control and don’t necessarily want a cloud-synced vault, or for those who frequently work on Linux.

  • Why it’s great for CLI: Excellent for local database management, scripting, and works well in environments without internet access.
    • Typically available in your Linux distribution’s package manager e.g., sudo apt install keepassxc on Debian/Ubuntu, sudo pacman -S keepassxc on Arch Linux. This usually installs keepassxc-cli alongside the GUI.
    • Open a database:
      keepassxc-cli open /path/to/your/database.kdbx
      You’ll be prompted for your master password and any key file.
    • List entries:
      keepassxc-cli ls /path/to/your/database.kdbx
      You can specify a group to list entries within it.
    • Get a password/username:
      keepassxc-cli show -a password /path/to/your/database.kdbx “EntryName”
      keepassxc-cli show -a username /path/to/your/database.kdbx “EntryName”
      You can use -c to copy the output directly to the clipboard.
    • Add an entry:
      keepassxc-cli add /path/to/your/database.kdbx “NewEntryName”
      This will prompt you for the username and password. You can use -g to generate a random password, or -p to be prompted for the password.
      keepassxc-cli generate –length 16 –no-symbols
      Many options are available for customization.

LastPass CLI

LastPass also offers a command-line interface lpass for managing your vault. It’s open-source and provides functionality for creating, editing, and retrieving passwords, including in server environments.

  • Why it’s great for CLI: Cloud-synced, good for scripting, and supports shared folders for business users.
    • macOS Homebrew: brew install lastpass-cli
    • Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install lastpass-cli
    • For other systems, check the official LastPass CLI GitHub page for compilation instructions or pre-built binaries.
    • Log in:
      lpass login [email protected]
      You’ll be prompted for your master password.
      lpass ls
      This shows your vault contents.
    • Show a password:
      lpass show –password “Sitename”
      Use -c or --clip to copy it to the clipboard.
      lpass generate –no-symbols 16 “Sitename”
      This generates a password and adds it to an entry.
    • Add/Edit an entry:
      lpass add “Sitename” –username “myuser” –password “MySecretPass”
      Or to prompt for details:
      lpass add “NewSite”

Pass The Standard Unix Password Manager

Often just called “pass,” this is a lightweight, Unix-centric password manager that follows the “Unix philosophy” of doing one thing well. It stores each password in a separate GPG-encrypted file within a directory structure usually ~/.password-store. It leverages GPG for encryption and Git for version control and synchronization.

  • Why it’s great for CLI: Extremely simple, secure uses GPG, easily integrates with Git for syncing, and is highly scriptable because passwords are just encrypted files.
    • Available in most Linux package managers e.g., sudo apt install pass on Debian/Ubuntu.
    • On macOS, you’ll need GPG e.g., brew install gpg and then pass brew install pass.
    • Initialize the password store: You’ll need a GPG key.
      pass init “Your GPG Key ID”
      This creates the ~/.password-store directory.
    • Add a new password:
      pass insert personal/github.com
      You’ll be prompted to enter the password, and pass will encrypt it into a file ~/.password-store/personal/github.com.gpg. You can also add multi-line metadata.
      pass generate personal/bank_login 16 –no-symbols
      This generates a 16-character password without symbols and inserts it.
    • Retrieve a password:
      pass personal/github.com 
      pass -c personal/github.com
pass ls
    • Edit an entry:
      pass edit personal/github.com
      This opens the encrypted file in your default text editor, decrypts it for editing, and re-encrypts it when you save.
    • Sync with Git: Once you’ve initialized a Git repository in ~/.password-store, you can use pass git push and pass git pull to sync your passwords across devices.

1Password CLI

1Password is a premium password manager known for its strong security and user-friendly interfaces. It also offers a powerful CLI op for those who prefer working in the terminal or need to integrate it into developer workflows. Password manager for chrome extension

  • Why it’s great for CLI: Excellent for managing secrets in development, integrating with scripts, and maintaining a single source of truth for sensitive data.

    • macOS Homebrew: brew install 1password-cli

    • Windows Winget: winget install 1Password.CLI

    • Linux: Download the binary from the 1Password website and place it in your PATH.

    • Sign in:
      op signin your.1password.com [email protected]
      You’ll be prompted for your master password and a 2FA code.
      Similar to Bitwarden, after signing in, you get a session token. You should store this in an environment variable export OP_SESSION_your_account="your_session_token" or use the --session flag to avoid re-entering your master password frequently.

    • List vaults/items:
      op vault list
      op item list Managing Your Digital Life: Why a Password Manager is Essential for CD Keys, Game Licenses, and More!

    • Get an item and its fields like password/username:
      op item get “My Website Login” –fields username
      op item get “My Website Login” –fields password
      You can also use a “secret reference” for scripting, like op://vault-name/item-name/field-name to inject secrets directly.

    • Create an item: This involves constructing a JSON object for the item.
      op item create –title “New Login” –category “Login” –vault “Personal” –fields ‘{“username”:”newuser”, “password”:”$op generate password –length 20″}’
      Using op get template login can help you get the right JSON structure.

NordPass

Advanced CLI Usage and Scripting

The true power of CLI password managers shines when you integrate them into scripts and automated workflows. This is where you move beyond just “looking up a password” to making security a seamless part of your operations.

Automating Password Retrieval

Imagine you have a script that needs to connect to a database or an API, and that connection requires credentials. Instead of hardcoding those credentials a big no-no for security! or prompting for them every time, you can fetch them securely from your password manager. Password manager ccc

Here’s a basic example using a generic CLI command structure, and how you might use it in a shell script: 

#!/bin/bash

# Ensure your CLI password manager is logged in and unlocked, or handle the session token
# For Bitwarden, this might involve setting BW_SESSION or running `bw unlock` at script start.

# Fetch sensitive credentials
DB_USERNAME=$bw get username "MyDatabaseConnection"
DB_PASSWORD=$bw get password "MyDatabaseConnection"

# Now use them securely in your command
# Be careful not to expose passwords in process lists or logs
# Use tools that accept passwords via stdin or environment variables if possible
mysql -u "$DB_USERNAME" -p"$DB_PASSWORD" -h database.example.com < /path/to/script.sql

# Or for an API key:
API_KEY=$op item get "MyAPIService" --fields password
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY" https://api.example.com/data

Key Security Tip for Scripting:

  • Avoid storing passwords in plain text variables or script files. As soon as a password is in a variable, it might be visible in process lists ps -ef or command history.
  • Use environment variables for session tokens: As mentioned for Bitwarden and 1Password, store your session key in an environment variable BW_SESSION, OP_SESSION_... so you don’t repeatedly type your master password.
  • Pipe passwords securely: If a command accepts input via standard in stdin, this is often a safer way to pass a password than directly on the command line, as it won’t be saved to shell history. Many CLI password managers support piping passwords directly to other programs.

Managing Secrets in Development

Developers often deal with numerous API keys, database credentials, and other secrets across different projects and environments. Using a CLI password manager is a must here. You can:

  • Inject secrets into config files: Tools like 1Password CLI’s op inject feature can dynamically replace placeholders in your configuration files with actual secrets from your vault, keeping sensitive info out of your Git repository.
  • Integrate with CI/CD pipelines: In automated build and deployment processes CI/CD, you can use CLI tools to fetch credentials only when needed, reducing the risk of secrets leaking into logs or build artifacts.

This approach centralizes your secrets management, makes it easier to rotate credentials, and drastically improves the security posture of your development workflow.

NordPass Password manager cbre

Security Best Practices with CLI Password Managers

While CLI password managers offer incredible power and flexibility, it’s crucial to remember that with great power comes great responsibility. Your security is paramount.

  • Strong, Unique Master Password: This is the key to your entire digital kingdom. Make sure your master password is long, complex, and unique. Never reuse it, and don’t share it with anyone. Consider using a passphrase.
  • Two-Factor Authentication 2FA: Always enable 2FA on your password manager account. This adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for an attacker to access your vault even if they somehow get your master password.
  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your password manager and its CLI tools. Updates often include critical security patches.
  • Be Cautious with Scripts: If you’re using community-contributed scripts or writing your own, double-check them carefully before executing any command that handles sensitive data. A malicious script could easily exfiltrate your passwords.
  • Secure Your Environment: Ensure the environment where you’re running CLI commands is secure. This means using strong user passwords for your operating system, locking your computer when you step away, and being mindful of shoulder surfers.
  • Understand Data Storage: Know where your password manager stores its data. For KeePassXC, it’s a local file. For Bitwarden and LastPass, it’s a cloud-synced encrypted vault. Understanding this helps you make informed decisions about backups and access.
  • Consider a Reputable Provider: For cloud-synced solutions, choose a password manager from a reputable provider with a strong security track record. While CLI tools give you control, the underlying service security is still critical. This is why a service like NordPass is an excellent choice, offering robust security both in its core service and when using any integrated tools.

By following these best practices, you can harness the power of command-line password management without compromising your digital security. It’s all about making informed choices and being diligent with your digital habits.

NordPass

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between using a GUI and a CLI password manager?

A GUI Graphical User Interface password manager provides a visual, click-based experience, great for casual use and easy navigation. A CLI Command Line Interface password manager, on the other hand, lets you interact with your vault using text commands, which is much faster for power users, ideal for scripting and automation, and perfect for server environments without a graphical display.

Can cmdkey show me my forgotten Windows passwords?

No, unfortunately. The cmdkey /list command in Windows Credential Manager will show you the target and username for stored credentials, but it will not display the actual password in plain text. This is a deliberate security measure to prevent easy access to sensitive information. For viewing forgotten passwords, you would need to use a dedicated password manager’s GUI that decrypts and displays them upon proper authentication. Password manager for bvm

Is it safe to use a password manager from the command line in scripts?

Yes, it can be very safe, often safer than hardcoding credentials. The key is to follow best practices: avoid passing passwords directly as plain-text arguments which can be visible in process lists or shell history. Instead, use secure methods like reading passwords from environment variables e.g., session tokens for Bitwarden or 1Password CLI or piping them into commands via standard input. Always ensure your master password is strong and your CLI tools are up to date.

Which CLI password manager is best for Linux users?

“Best” really depends on your needs! Many Linux users love Pass password-store because it’s a minimalist, Unix-philosophy tool that uses GPG for encryption and Git for syncing, giving you full control over your data. KeePassXC CLI is another excellent choice if you prefer an offline, .kdbx file-based approach. For cloud-synced options with robust CLI tools, Bitwarden CLI and LastPass CLI are very popular and highly functional.

How do I change password policy settings on Windows using CMD?

You can change password policy settings on a local Windows machine using the net accounts command in an elevated Command Prompt. For example, to set a minimum password length of 10 characters, you would type net accounts /minpwlen:10. To set the maximum password age to 90 days, you’d use net accounts /maxpwage:90. These changes apply to all local user accounts on that machine.

Why Your Business Absolutely Needs a Password Manager

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NordPass
Skip / Close