Age is a small, simple tool for encrypting files. In contrast to tools like GnuPG that provide a large grab-bag of encryption related functions, Age only handles encrypting files. There is no web of trust, no network of key servers, no system of key revocation and expiry. Users can either use the included `age-keygen` utility to generate a keypair or reuse their existing SSH keys. In either case, key distribution and management are left to the user to handle. Some users, including the authors of Age, opt to publish their SSH public keys by adding them to their github accounts. The `age` README describes how to retrieve a key published in that way and encrypt a file for that key's owner. The "format specification" document linked from the README provides both detailed technical references about the operation of the tool and a discussion of the project's goals. The Age site provides links to pre-built executables for Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, along with instructions for installing the tool from OS-provided repositories for many common operating systems.
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