xkcdpass(1) General Commands Manual xkcdpass(1)

xkcdpass - generate memorable, secure multiword passphrases

xkcdpass [ options ]
xkcdpass --help

A flexible and scriptable password generator which generates strong passphrases, inspired by XKCD 936:

$ xkcdpass
> correct horse battery staple

--help

Describe how to use this command.

--wordfile WORDFILE, -w WORDFILE

Specify that the file WORDFILE contains the list of valid words from which to generate passphrases.

--min MIN_LENGTH

Generate passphrases containing at least MIN_LENGTH letters. (Default: 5)

--max MAX_LENGTH

Generate passphrases containing at most MAX_LENGTH letters. (Default: 9)

--numwords NUM_WORDS, -n NUM_WORDS

Generate passphrases containing exactly NUM_WORDS words. (Default: 6)

--interactive, -i

Generate and output a passphrase, query the user to accept it, and loop until one is accepted.

--valid_chars VALID_CHARS, -v VALID_CHARS

Limit passphrases to only include words matching the regex pattern VALID_CHARS (e.g. '[a-z]').

--verbose, -V

Report various metrics for given options.

--acrostic ACROSTIC, -a ACROSTIC

Generate passphrases with an acrostic matching ACROSTIC.

--count COUNT, -c COUNT

Generate COUNT passphrases. (Default: 1)

--delimiter DELIM, -d DELIM

Separate words within a passphrase with DELIM. (Default: ' ')

--separator SEP, -s SEP

Separate generated passphrases with SEP. (Default: ' ')

•
xkcdpass

Generates one passphrase with the default options. Example output:

pinball previous deprive militancy bereaved numeric
•
xkcdpass --count=5 --acrostic='chaos' --delimiter='|' --min=5 --max=6 --valid_chars='[a-z]'

Generates 5 passphrases, all from lower-case words and meeting the acrostic "chaos", delimited by the "|" character. Example output:

collar|highly|asset|ovoid|sultan
caper|hangup|addle|oboist|scroll
couple|honcho|abbot|obtain|simple
cutler|hotly|aortae|outset|stool
cradle|helot|axial|ordure|shale

The xkcdpass command invokes the Python program xkcd_password.py.

The inspiration for the program's purpose is the XKCD 936 "Password Strength" cartoon.