keybase

Follow another user

$ keybase follow [username]

$ keybase prove [service] [service_username]

$ keybase sign [[-i|--infile]] [input_file] [[-o|--outfile]] [output_file]

$ keybase verify [[-i|--infile]] [input_file] [[-o|--outfile]] [output_file]

$ keybase encrypt [[-i|--infile]] [input_file] [[-o|--outfile]] [output_file] [receiver]

$ keybase decrypt [[-i|--infile]] [input_file] [[-o|--outfile]] [output_file]

$ keybase deprovision

keybase [global options] <command> [<args> ...]

-h, --help
    Show context-sensitive help

-V, --version
    Show version information

--debug
    Enable debug logging

--verbose, -v
    Enable verbose logging

--local
    Local-only mode; no server contact

--no-auto
    Don't auto-fork background daemon

--force-auto
    Force auto-fork daemon

--force-insecure-http
    Allow insecure HTTP (debug only)

--reset-preferences
    Reset user preferences

--home
    Override data directory

Keybase is a command-line tool for securely proving identity across platforms like GitHub, Twitter, and Reddit, and using those proofs for end-to-end encryption, signing, and file sharing. It creates a web of trust by linking public keys to social media accounts via cryptographic proofs.

Users can login to Keybase, track others' identities, encrypt/decrypt files, sign/verify data, and interact with Keybase Filesystem (KBFS) for shared folders. It runs a background daemon for operations and supports team chats and paper keys for offline access.

Originally designed for easy key management without manual fingerprint verification, it automates secure communication. However, due to service changes, many server-dependent features are now limited.

Keybase servers shut down in 2021; server-reliant features like proofs, tracking, and chat are defunct. Local signing/encryption may still work. Daemon often fails to connect. Use alternatives like GPG or age.

id <username>: View profile.
login: Authenticate user.
track <username>: Track identity.
encrypt <file> <user>: Encrypt for recipient.
fs: Mount KBFS (legacy).

Debian/Ubuntu: curl https://prerelease.keybase.io/keybase_amd64.deb | sudo dpkg -i.
macOS: brew install keybase.
Fedora: RPM available. Verify PGP-signed packages.

Launched in 2014 by Keybase, Inc. (founded by ex-Twitter engineers). Gained popularity for social key proofs. Acquired by Zoom in May 2020. Services discontinued July 19, 2021; repo archived on GitHub. CLI version 5.8.0 (2021) is final.

gpg(1), ssh-keygen(1), openssl(1), age(1)