kpcli: Work with KeePass Databases from the Command Line

Productivity Sauce
KeePassX is an indispensable graphical utility for managing passwords, but there are situations, when a command-line tool might be more practical. Enter kpcli, a Perl-based CLI tool that lets you work with KeepPass 1.x and 2.x databases. On Debian and Ubuntu, kpcli is available in the official software repositories, so it can be easily installed by running the apt-get install kpcli command as root. openSUSE users can install the utility directly from software.opensuse.org/package/kpcli.
To open an existing KeePass database, use the kpcli --kdb=foo.kdb command. Issue then the help command to view a list of all available commands along with their brief descriptions. Although the list of supported commands is rather long, you need only a few of them to get started with kpcli. Better still, kpcli imitates the shell syntax, which makes it easier to get to grips with the utility. The ls command lets you view a list of all directories and entries in the current location, while the cd command is used to switch to a specific directory. To view an entry, use the show command. Finally the xp, xu, and xw commands are used to copy the password, user name, and URL from a specified entry to the clipboard. For example, the xp Passwords/Amazon command copies the password from the Amazon entry in the Passwords directory into the clipboard.
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Red Hat Migrates RHEL from Xorg to Wayland
If you've been wondering when Xorg will finally be a thing of the past, wonder no more, as Red Hat has made it clear.
-
PipeWire 1.0 Officially Released
PipeWire was created to take the place of the oft-troubled PulseAudio and has finally reached the 1.0 status as a major update with plenty of improvements and the usual bug fixes.
-
Rocky Linux 9.3 Available for Download
The latest version of the RHEL alternative is now available and brings back cloud and container images for ppc64le along with plenty of new features and fixes.
-
Ubuntu Budgie Shifts How to Tackle Wayland
Ubuntu Budgie has yet to make the switch to Wayland but with a change in approaches, they're finally on track to making it happen.
-
TUXEDO's New Ultraportable Linux Workstation Released
The TUXEDO Pulse 14 blends portability with power, thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU.
-
AlmaLinux Will No Longer Be "Just Another RHEL Clone"
With the release of AlmaLinux 9.3, the distribution will be built entirely from upstream sources.
-
elementary OS 8 Has a Big Surprise in Store
When elementary OS 8 finally arrives, it will not only be based on Ubuntu 24.04 but it will also default to Wayland for better performance and security.
-
OpenELA Releases Enterprise Linux Source Code
With Red Hat restricting the source for RHEL, it was only a matter of time before those who depended on that source struck out on their own.
-
StripedFly Malware Hiding in Plain Sight as a Cryptocurrency Miner
A rather deceptive piece of malware has infected 1 million Windows and Linux hosts since 2017.
-
Experimental Wayland Support Planned for Linux Mint 21.3
As with most Linux distributions, the migration to Wayland is in full force. While some distributions have already made the move, Linux Mint has been a bit slower to do so.