Key import and export

Import a key

To import a key from a file into the keystore, you just have to use the following command:

$ sq key import $KEYFILE

$KEYFILE can contain more than one key, sq key import will import all keys it finds, skipping any certificates also in this file.

Export a key

To export a key from the keystore into a file to for instance create a backup or import it into another software like Thunderbird, this is the suitable command:

$ sq key export --cert $FINGERPRINT > $KEYFILE

or

$ sq key export --cert $FINGERPRINT --output $KEYFILE

You can also export a special subkey instead of the complete material of a key. For this you can use sq key subkey export:

$ sq key subkey export --cert $SUBKEY_FINGERPRINT > $KEYFILE

Please note: If exporting an unprotected key (one without a passphrase), the exported key will also be unprotected.

sq key export will export the key as it is. If you want to set a password for the exported key, use:

$ sq key export ... | sq key password --cert-file - --output $EXPORTED_KEY_FILE