# KeePassXC — Cross-Platform Offline Password Manager > KeePassXC is a free, open-source, cross-platform password manager that keeps your passwords in an encrypted local database. No cloud sync, no subscription, no telemetry — just a secure, audited vault protected by a master password and optional key file. ## Install Save as a script file and run: # KeePassXC — Cross-Platform Offline Password Manager ## Quick Use ```bash # Install KeePassXC # macOS brew install --cask keepassxc # Linux sudo apt install keepassxc # Or Flatpak: flatpak install flathub org.keepassxc.KeePassXC # Windows: download from keepassxc.org # CLI usage keepassxc-cli open ~/passwords.kdbx keepassxc-cli show ~/passwords.kdbx "Email/Gmail" keepassxc-cli generate -L 24 -slUn ``` ## Introduction KeePassXC is a community-driven fork of KeePassX that stores all your passwords in a single, encrypted database file (.kdbx). Unlike cloud-based password managers (1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden), KeePassXC keeps everything local — your passwords never leave your machine unless you choose to sync the file yourself. With over 27,000 GitHub stars, KeePassXC is the most popular desktop-first, offline password manager. It appeals to privacy-conscious users, security professionals, and organizations that require local-only credential storage for compliance. ## What KeePassXC Does KeePassXC stores credentials in an AES-256 or ChaCha20 encrypted database file. You unlock it with a master password, optional key file, or hardware key (YubiKey). The application provides auto-type (fills credentials into any application), browser integration, TOTP support, SSH agent integration, and a powerful password generator. ## Architecture Overview ``` [KeePassXC Application] C++ / Qt (native performance) | [Encrypted Database (.kdbx)] AES-256 or ChaCha20 Argon2 key derivation Single file, portable | +-------+-------+-------+ | | | | [Auto-Type] [Browser [SSH Agent] Fills into Extension] Serve SSH any app Chrome, keys from via keyboard Firefox the database | [Optional Sync] Syncthing, Dropbox, Google Drive, NAS (you control it) ``` ## Self-Hosting & Configuration ```bash # CLI operations # Create a new database keepassxc-cli db-create ~/passwords.kdbx # Add an entry keepassxc-cli add ~/passwords.kdbx "Email/Gmail" \ -u "user@gmail.com" --url "https://mail.google.com" # Generate a strong password keepassxc-cli generate -L 32 -slUn # Output: xK9#mP2$vR7@nL4&bQ8*cT5!wF3^hJ6 # Search entries keepassxc-cli locate ~/passwords.kdbx "gmail" # Export to CSV (for migration) keepassxc-cli export ~/passwords.kdbx --format csv > export.csv # Merge databases keepassxc-cli merge ~/passwords.kdbx ~/backup.kdbx # Sync strategy: use Syncthing for encrypted .kdbx sync # across devices — KeePassXC handles merge conflicts ``` ## Key Features - **Offline First** — all data stored locally in an encrypted file - **Strong Encryption** — AES-256 / ChaCha20 with Argon2 key derivation - **Auto-Type** — fills credentials into any application via keyboard simulation - **Browser Integration** — Chrome and Firefox extensions for web auto-fill - **TOTP** — built-in authenticator (2FA) code generation - **SSH Agent** — serve SSH keys directly from the password database - **YubiKey** — hardware key as additional authentication factor - **Password Generator** — customizable strong password generation ## Comparison with Similar Tools | Feature | KeePassXC | Bitwarden | 1Password | LastPass | |---|---|---|---|---| | Storage | Local file | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | | Open Source | Yes | Yes (clients) | No | No | | Cost | Free | Free + paid | Paid | Free + paid | | Offline Access | Full (default) | Cached | Cached | Cached | | Browser Extension | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Mobile App | KeePassDX/Strongbox | Yes | Yes | Yes | | TOTP | Yes | Yes (paid) | Yes | Yes | | SSH Agent | Yes | No | Yes | No | | Sync | Manual (your choice) | Cloud built-in | Cloud built-in | Cloud built-in | ## FAQ **Q: How do I sync KeePassXC across devices?** A: Sync the .kdbx file using Syncthing (peer-to-peer), cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive), or a NAS. On mobile, use KeePassDX (Android) or Strongbox (iOS) to open the same file. **Q: Is local storage less secure than cloud?** A: Local storage eliminates cloud breach risk but requires you to manage backups. The .kdbx file is strongly encrypted — even if someone gets the file, they cannot read it without your master password. **Q: Can I migrate from Bitwarden/1Password/LastPass?** A: Yes. Export from your current manager as CSV, then import into KeePassXC via Database > Import. KeePassXC supports multiple import formats. **Q: What if I forget my master password?** A: There is no recovery mechanism. If you forget the master password and do not have a key file backup, your data is permanently lost. This is by design for maximum security. ## Sources - GitHub: https://github.com/keepassxreboot/keepassxc - Website: https://keepassxc.org - Documentation: https://keepassxc.org/docs - License: GPL-2.0 / GPL-3.0 --- Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/409089e0-372b-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79 Author: Script Depot