pakchois ☆

« Back to VersTracker

Description:
PKCS #11 wrapper library

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Security

Tags: cryptography pkcs11 security library hardware-security-module

Install: brew install pakchois

About:
Pakchois is a thread-safe PKCS #11 wrapper library designed to simplify access to cryptographic hardware. It provides a straightforward C API that manages PKCS #11 sessions and object handles, abstracting the standard's complexity. This allows developers to integrate smart cards and HSMs into applications without dealing directly with the low-level PKCS #11 interface.

Key Features:

Thread-safe session management
Simplified C API for PKCS #11
Automatic handle and session lifecycle management
Minimal overhead wrapper

Use Cases:

Integrating smart card authentication into Linux applications
Accessing Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) for cryptographic operations
Developing secure applications requiring PKCS #11 token interaction

Alternatives:

OpenSC – OpenSC provides a full PKCS #11 implementation and toolset, whereas Pakchois is a lightweight wrapper focused on simplifying client code.
p11-kit – p11-kit focuses on module discovery and configuration, while Pakchois focuses on simplifying the client API interaction.

Version History

Detected	Version	Rev	Change	Commit