b2sum

TLDR

Calculate BLAKE2 checksum

$ b2sum [file]

Verify checksums

$ b2sum -c [checksums.b2]

Use specific length

$ b2sum -l [256] [file]

Calculate for multiple files

$ b2sum [file1] [file2] [file3]

b2sum computes and verifies BLAKE2b cryptographic checksums. BLAKE2 is a fast, secure hash function that outperforms MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-2 in software while providing at least as much security as SHA-3.
The tool is part of GNU coreutils and provides similar functionality to md5sum and sha256sum.

PARAMETERS

-c, --check

Verify checksums from file

-l, --length bits

Digest length in bits (default: 512)

-b, --binary

Read in binary mode

-t, --text

Read in text mode

--tag

Create BSD-style checksums

--quiet

Don't print OK for verified files

--strict

Exit non-zero on improperly formatted checksum lines

FEATURES

- Fast performance
- Configurable output length
- Keyed hashing support
- Verification mode
- Compatible with standard checksum tools

WORKFLOW

$ # Create checksums
b2sum file1 file2 > checksums.b2

# Verify
b2sum -c checksums.b2

# Use 256-bit digest
b2sum -l 256 file

CAVEATS

Not as widely supported as SHA-256. Different tools may use BLAKE2b vs BLAKE2s. Length parameter affects compatibility. Relatively new compared to SHA family.

HISTORY

b2sum was added to GNU coreutils in version 8.26 (2016), providing BLAKE2 hashing support following the algorithm's publication in 2012.