gopass/docs/commands/generate.md

generate command

The generate command is used to generate a new password and store it into the password store.

Note: If you only want generate a password without storing it in the store, use the pwgen command.

Synopsis

$ gopass generate entry [length]
$ gopass generate entry key [length]

Modes of operation

• Generate a new entry with a new password, e.g. a new login. Setting the Password field, gopass generate entry [chars]
• Re-generating a new password and setting it in the Password field of an existing entry
• Generate a new password and setting it to a new key of an existing secret, e.g. gopass generate entry key [chars]
• Re-generate a new password for an existing key in an existing entry

Flags

Flag	Aliases	Description
--clip	-c	Copy the generated password into the clipboard. Default: Value of autoclip
--print	-p	Print the generated password to the terminal. Default: false.
--force	-f	Force overwriting an existing entry.
--edit	-e	Generate a password and open the entry for editing in $EDITOR.
--generator	-g	Choose of of the available password generators, desribed below. Default: cryptic
--symbols	-s	Include symbols in the generated password (default: false)
--strict		Ensure each requested character class is actually included. Without this option all requested classes can be included, but not necessarily are. (default: false)
--sep		Word separator for multi-word generators.
--lang		Language for word-based generators.

Password Generators

Use --generator to select one of the available password generators:

Generator	Description
cryptic	The default generator yields cryptic passwords that should work with most sites. Use --symbols and --strict if the site has specific requirements. Please note that we auto-detect the correct rules for some sites. The length argument specifies the number of characters.
xkcd	Use an XKCD#936 style password. Use --lang and --sep to refine it's behaviour. The length argument specifies the number of words.
memorable	Generate a memorable password. The length argument specifies the minimum lenght of characters. Please note that the password might be longer if not all necessary rules were satisfied by the minimum length solution.
external	Use the external generator from $GOPASS_EXTERNAL_PWGEN

Relevant configuration options

• autoclip only applies to generate. If set the generated password is automatically copied to the clipboard - unless --clip is explicitly set to --clip=false
• safecontent will suppress printing of the password, unless -p is set. The password will not be copied, unless -c or the autoclip option are set.

Templates

When creating a new entry gopass will look for the most specific template by going up in the secret path looking for a file called .pass-template.

If any such file is found it will be used to pre-populate the generated secret.