Git Crypt - Keep it secret, keep it safe

Git Crypt - Keep it secret, keep it safe

2022, Dec 10    

Git-crypt is a command-line tool that allows users to encrypt sensitive files within a Git repository. This can be useful for protecting confidential information, such as passwords, API keys, and other sensitive data, while still allowing the repository to be shared and version-controlled with Git.

One of the main benefits of using git-crypt is that it allows teams to collaborate on projects without exposing sensitive information. Git-crypt encrypts files at the point of commit, so even if a repository is compromised, the sensitive files will remain secure. This can help reduce the risk of data breaches and protect against unauthorized access to confidential information.

Another benefit of git-crypt is that it is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with Git. Once git-crypt is installed, users can encrypt and decrypt files with just a few simple commands. This allows teams to easily protect sensitive information without disrupting their workflow.

To install and use git-crypt, follow these steps:

Install git-crypt by running the following command:

$ brew install git-crypt

Navigate to the root directory of your Git repository and initialize git-crypt by running the following command:

$ git-crypt init

Create a file containing a list of patterns that identify the files you want to encrypt. For example, if you want to encrypt all files ending with the .key extension, your file would look like this:

*.key

Save the file as .gitattributes in the root directory of your repository.

Add the keys that will be used to encrypt and decrypt the files by running the following command:

$ git-crypt add-gpg-user [key-id]

To encrypt the files, run the following command:

$ git-crypt lock

To decrypt the files, run the following command:

$ git-crypt unlock

In summary, git-crypt is a powerful tool for encrypting sensitive files within a Git repository. It allows teams to collaborate on projects without exposing confidential information, and integrates seamlessly with Git. By following the steps above, you can easily install and use git-crypt to protect your sensitive data.