kstart ☆

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Description:
Modified version of kinit that can use keytabs to authenticate

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Security

Tags: kerberos authentication security keytab networking

Install: brew install kstart

About:
KStart is a modified version of the standard kinit utility, designed to simplify Kerberos authentication by automatically acquiring tickets from keytab files. It eliminates the need for manual password entry, making it ideal for automated scripts and background services. This tool ensures secure, seamless access to Kerberized resources without user intervention.

Key Features:

Automated Kerberos authentication using keytabs
Designed for scripts and background daemons
Simplifies credential management for services
Drop-in replacement for standard kinit

Use Cases:

Automating login for service accounts in scripts
Ensuring long-running daemons maintain valid Kerberos tickets
Setting up secure access to Hadoop or database clusters without manual input

Alternatives:

kinit – Standard tool requires manual password entry, whereas KStart automates the process using keytabs.
k5start – Similar functionality; KStart is a specific fork often used for its simplicity and direct integration.

Version History

Detected	Version	Rev	Change	Commit
Sep 11, 2025 6:14pm		0	VERSION_BUMP	b1f4edb8
Sep 14, 2024 12:12pm		0	VERSION_BUMP	e5c3673f