systemd-tty-ask-password-agent
Handle boot-time password requests
TLDR
List pending password requests
$ systemd-tty-ask-password-agent --list
Watch and process requests continuously$ systemd-tty-ask-password-agent --watch
Query user for pending passwords$ systemd-tty-ask-password-agent --query
Forward to wall message$ systemd-tty-ask-password-agent --wall
SYNOPSIS
systemd-tty-ask-password-agent [OPTIONS]
DESCRIPTION
systemd-tty-ask-password-agent handles password requests from systemd services. During boot, services like disk encryption may need passwords; this agent collects and forwards them.
The agent monitors password request files and presents prompts to users on appropriate terminals.
PARAMETERS
--list
List pending password requests--watch
Continuously process password requests--query
Process pending requests by querying user on current TTY--wall
Forward requests as wall messages--console
Ask on console instead of current TTY
CAVEATS
Used primarily during boot for disk encryption passwords. Multiple agents can run simultaneously. The --wall option broadcasts to all terminals.
HISTORY
systemd-tty-ask-password-agent provides the user-facing component of systemd's password query infrastructure, enabling early-boot password prompts without a full login environment.
SEE ALSO
systemd-ask-password(1), cryptsetup(8)