paperkey
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Description:
Extract just secret information out of OpenPGP secret keys
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Security
Tags: cryptography pgp gpg backup security offline
Install: brew install paperkey
About:
Paperkey is a utility designed to extract the raw secret key data from an OpenPGP secret keyring. It provides a robust method for creating a physical, paper-based backup of critical cryptographic keys that can be securely stored offline. This approach ensures that even if digital backups are compromised, the key material can be fully restored.
Key Features:
  • Extracts raw secret key data from GnuPG keyrings
  • Generates a human-readable format suitable for printing
  • Enables full restoration of keys from the printed output
  • Designed for long-term, offline, disaster-proof storage
Use Cases:
  • Creating a physical backup of PGP/GPG private keys for disaster recovery
  • Long-term offline archival of critical cryptographic secrets
  • Redundant key storage separate from digital systems
Alternatives:
  • Keybase – Keybase offers encrypted cloud backups, whereas Paperkey creates an offline, physical copy.
  • GnuPG (gpg --export) – Standard export creates digital files; Paperkey is optimized for printing and physical storage.
Version History
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