# Install certstrap with Homebrew, apk, MacPorts, Nix, scoop

Tools to bootstrap CAs, certificate requests, and signed certificates. Version 1.3.0 via Homebrew; verified 2026-07-27. Also installable with nix: nix profile install nixpkgs#certstrap.

## Install

```sh
sudo av install brew:certstrap
```

Additional install commands:

### macOS

- Homebrew (100%):

```sh
brew install certstrap
```

  Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata

- MacPorts (94%):

```sh
sudo port install certstrap
```

  Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: security/certstrap/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1

### Linux

- apk (92%):

```sh
sudo apk add certstrap
```

  Evidence: Alpine Linux edge package indexes: certstrap from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/testing/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

- Nix (92%):

```sh
nix profile install nixpkgs#certstrap
```

  Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ce/certstrap/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1

### Windows

- Scoop (92%):

```sh
scoop install main/certstrap
```

  Evidence: Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/certstrap.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Main/git/trees/master?recursive=1

## Package facts

- **Package key:** brew:certstrap
- **Package manager:** Homebrew
- **Version:** 1.3.0
- **Source summary:** Tools to bootstrap CAs, certificate requests, and signed certificates
- **Homepage:** <https://github.com/square/certstrap>
- **Repository:** <https://github.com/square/certstrap>
- **Last updated:** 2026-07-27T19:20:58+02:00
- **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00

## Executables

- certstrap (alias)

## Install behavior

- Bottle: not available

## Freshness

- Page generated: 2026-08-03
- Package-manager version: 1.3.0
## Project history and usage

certstrap is Square's Go-based CLI for bootstrapping certificate authorities, certificate requests, and signed certificates. Its README describes it as a simple certificate manager adapted from etcd-ca and intended as a friendlier alternative to hand-writing OpenSSL commands and config files.

### Project history

The public repository was created in 2015 and the release history includes v1.0.0/v1.0.1 in 2016, later 1.1 and 1.2 releases, and v1.3.0 in 2022. The project documents building from source with Go and contributing through the upstream repository.

### Adoption history

certstrap became a packaged PKI helper across multiple ecosystems. The supplied package facts list APK, Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix, and Scoop packages, matching its role as a small standalone executable for development and internal PKI workflows.

### How it is used

Typical certstrap usage starts by initializing a CA, then generating identity keys and CSRs, and finally signing certificate requests. By default, generated keys, CSRs, certificates, and CRLs are placed in the depot directory, documented as out/.

### Why package nerds care

certstrap matters in package catalogs because it turns the brittle OpenSSL local-CA bootstrap routine into a reproducible CLI. It is especially visible to developers who need throwaway or internal TLS material without adopting a larger PKI system.

### Timeline

- 2015: Public GitHub repository created.
- 2016: v1.0.0 and v1.0.1 releases published.
- 2017: v1.1.x releases published.
- 2019: v1.2.0 released.
- 2022: v1.3.0 released.

### Related projects

- The README says certstrap was adapted from etcd-ca and explicitly frames itself as an alternative to direct OpenSSL configuration.

### Sources

- <https://api.github.com/repos/square/certstrap>
- <https://github.com/square/certstrap>
- <https://github.com/square/certstrap#readme>
- <https://formulae.brew.sh/api/formula/certstrap.json>


## Security Notes

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

- **Geiger risk:** green / low
- narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

## Other Package-Manager Records

- Nix - certstrap: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ce/certstrap/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1
- apk - certstrap - 1.3.0-r35: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: certstrap from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/testing/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Tools to bootstrap CAs, certificate requests, and signed certificates | https://github.com/square/certstrap
- MacPorts - certstrap: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: security/certstrap/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1
- Scoop - main/certstrap: normalized package name match | Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/certstrap.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Main/git/trees/master?recursive=1


## Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/certstrap.yml](https://github.com/mxcl/pkgdb/blob/main/combined/certstrap.yml)


## Sources

- pkg.so package database
- Geiger risk classifier
- curated package history
- pkgdb category and tag curation
- external package-manager database matches
- cross-ecosystem install command graph