Install keepassxc with Homebrew Cask

Project links

• Homepage
• Repository
• Package manager page

Commands and aliases

• keepassxc-cli

Project history

KeePassXC is a community-driven fork in the KeePass family, created after a decline in KeePassX development. The XC name reflects its focus on continued, cross-platform maintenance.

The 2.1.0 release in January 2017 established the KeePassXC release line. Version 2.2.0 added a CLI, YubiKey challenge-response, TOTP, Diceware generation, and portable mode. Version 2.3.0 added KDBX 4, Argon2, SSH-agent integration, and the KeePassXC-Browser integration.

Adoption history

KeePassXC became the actively maintained community continuation for KeePassX users after development activity in KeePassX declined; the official FAQ notes that KeePassX later formally ceased development.

The project expanded distribution across Linux, Windows, and macOS, including AppImage and Snap builds and an official Ubuntu PPA. Browser integration, a command-line client, and hardware-token support broadened it beyond a basic desktop password vault.

How it is used

Users create or open a KDBX database, protect it with a master password and optionally a key file or hardware token, then organize credentials and generate unique passwords. Database files remain at user-selected locations rather than in a fixed credential directory.

Common companion workflows include KeePassXC-Browser for browser filling, Auto-Type for desktop applications, TOTP storage, SSH-agent integration, and keepassxc-cli for scripts or terminal access.

Why package nerds care

KeePassXC is important to package-oriented users because it keeps password storage local and file-based rather than requiring a hosted account. A KDBX database can be backed up or synchronized with tools chosen by the user and opened by other compatible implementations.

It is also a notable cross-platform Qt security application with GUI, CLI, browser-integration, SSH-agent, Auto-Type, TOTP, and hardware-token workflows packaged across multiple desktop ecosystems.

Timeline

• 2017-01-22: KeePassXC 2.1.0 was released.
• 2017-06-26: Version 2.2.0 added the CLI, YubiKey support, TOTP, Diceware, and portable mode.
• 2017-10-25: The project announced an official Ubuntu PPA.
• 2018-02-28: Version 2.3.0 added KDBX 4, Argon2, SSH-agent integration, and KeePassXC-Browser.
• 2021-12-09: KeePassX formally announced that it was no longer developed.

Related projects

• KeePass is the original Windows-centered password manager and KDBX ecosystem ancestor.
• KeePassX was the cross-platform project from which KeePassXC was forked.
• KeePassXC-Browser is the companion browser extension maintained by the project.

Sources

• Official 2.2.0 announcement: https://keepassxc.org/blog/2017-06-26-2.2.0-released/
• Official 2.3.0 announcement: https://keepassxc.org/blog/2018-02-28-2.3-released/
• Official FAQ and project comparison: https://keepassxc.org/docs/
• Official changelog: https://github.com/keepassxreboot/keepassxc/blob/develop/CHANGELOG.md
• Official user guide: https://keepassxc.org/docs/KeePassXC_UserGuide