Introduction to LocalKeys

Welcome to the LocalKeys documentation. LocalKeys is a local-first secret manager designed for developers who want to securely manage their API keys, passwords, and other sensitive data without relying on cloud services.

What is LocalKeys?

LocalKeys is a desktop application that provides a secure vault for storing your development secrets. Unlike traditional .env files that sit exposed in your project directory, LocalKeys encrypts all your secrets using military-grade encryption and stores them safely on your local machine.

Note

LocalKeys works completely offline. Your secrets never leave your computer.

Key Features

Local-first: All data is stored locally on your machine
Military-grade encryption: AES-256 encryption protects your secrets
Access control: Programs must request permission to access secrets
GUI & CLI: Use whichever interface you prefer

Why LocalKeys?

Traditional approaches to secret management have significant drawbacks:

Method	Problems
`.env` files	Easily exposed, can be accidentally committed to git
Cloud secret managers	Requires internet, subscription costs, data leaves your machine
System environment variables	Visible to all processes, difficult to manage per project

LocalKeys solves these problems by providing a secure, local, and easy-to-use solution.

How It Works

Create a vault: Set up an encrypted vault with a master password
Add secrets: Import your existing .env files or add secrets manually
Run your app: Use LocalKeys CLI to inject secrets into your development process
Approve access: When a program needs secrets, you'll be prompted to approve

Warning

Never forget your master password. LocalKeys cannot recover your secrets without it.