---
syntax: markdown
tags: [tldr, linux]
source: https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr.git
---
# systemd-ask-password

> Query the user for a system password.
> More information: <https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/latest/systemd-ask-password.html>.

- Query a system password with a specific prompt:

`systemd-ask-password "{{prompt}}"`

- Specify an identifier for the password query:

`systemd-ask-password --id {{identifier}} "{{prompt}}"`

- Use a kernel keyring key name as a cache for the password:

`systemd-ask-password --keyname {{key_name}} "{{prompt}}"`

- Set a custom timeout for the password query:

`systemd-ask-password --timeout {{seconds}} "{{prompt}}"`

- Force the use of an agent system and never ask on current TTY:

`systemd-ask-password --no-tty "{{prompt}}"`

- Store a password in the kernel keyring without displaying it:

`systemd-ask-password --no-output --keyname {{key_name}} "{{prompt}}"`

- Pipe a password to a command, stripping the trailing newline:

`systemd-ask-password -n | {{command}}`

- Display help:

`systemd-ask-password {{[-h|--help]}}`
