safe

Add a safe target

$ safe target [vault_addr] [target_name]

$ safe auth [authentication_token]

$ safe env

$ safe tree [path]

$ safe move [path/to/old_secret] [path/to/new_secret]

$ safe ssh [2048] [path/to/secret]

$ safe set [path/to/secret] [key]=[value]

$ safe gen [path/to/secret] [key]

safe [safe_options] command [command_options] [-- command_arguments]

--dry-run
    Performs a simulated execution of the command, showing what actions would be taken without actually modifying the system. This is crucial for verifying the intended scope and impact of an operation.

--confirm, -i
    Prompts the user for confirmation before executing the command. For commands affecting multiple files, it may prompt for each file or group of files.

--backup, -b
    Before the command modifies any files, safe creates a timestamped or versioned backup of the original files. This allows for easy restoration in case of unintended consequences.

--undo-log, -u
    Logs all actions performed by the command in a structured format, enabling potential reversal of operations. This might involve recording moved files, permission changes, or deleted entries.

--chroot <path>
    Executes the wrapped command within a specified chroot environment, isolating its operations from the main file system and providing a sandbox for testing or sensitive tasks.

--user <user>
    Runs the command as the specified user, similar to sudo -u but managed by safe's wrapper, ensuring permissions are appropriately handled within the safe context.

--group <group>
    Runs the command with the specified group permissions.

The safe command is a conceptual Linux utility designed to act as a protective wrapper for other potentially destructive or irreversible operations. It aims to prevent accidental data loss or system misconfigurations by introducing a layer of interactive control and preventative measures. Ideal for critical system administration tasks, scripting, or exploratory work, safe allows users to preview actions, get confirmations, or automatically create backups before a command modifies the system. While not a standard pre-installed command in most Linux distributions, its functionality represents a collection of best practices and patterns often implemented through shell aliases, custom scripts, or specialized tools to enhance operational safety. Its primary goal is to provide a robust framework for cautious command execution, mitigating risks associated with powerful utilities like rm, mv, chown, or chmod.

The safe command, while providing significant protection, cannot guarantee absolute safety. Its effectiveness depends on the nature of the wrapped command; low-level system calls or direct hardware manipulation might bypass its protective layers. Automatic backups consume disk space, and comprehensive undo mechanisms can be complex to implement for all possible command effects. Users should still exercise caution and understand the implications of the underlying command.

safe encapsulates several vital system administration best practices: always test with dry-runs, confirm destructive actions, and maintain backups. It reduces the cognitive load of remembering specific flags for each command by providing a consistent safety interface.

A real-world safe command could be implemented as a shell script, a Python wrapper, or a more sophisticated tool leveraging technologies like Linux namespaces (for sandboxing), FUSE (for virtual file systems that track changes), or even system call interception (e.g., via LD_PRELOAD for advanced dry-run capabilities).

The concept of a 'safe' command originates from the fundamental need for risk management in Unix-like environments. While no single command named safe has been standardized across all Linux distributions, its principles are deeply embedded in system administration best practices. Historically, users have achieved similar safety by using aliases (e.g., alias rm='rm -i'), writing custom wrapper scripts, or relying on specific command options like --backup or --interactive. The idea of a unified safe command encapsulates these disparate safety mechanisms into a single, cohesive interface, representing an evolution towards more robust and user-friendly system management tools.

rm(1), cp(1), mv(1), chown(1), chmod(1), chroot(8), sudo(8), strace(1)