pwgen-x
| Crates.io | pwgen-x |
| lib.rs | pwgen-x |
| version | 0.1.1 |
| created_at | 2025-12-27 17:21:08.886944+00 |
| updated_at | 2025-12-28 15:38:21.727215+00 |
| description | A feature-rich password generator with pronounceable, secure, passphrase, and PIN modes |
| homepage | https://github.com/vstakhov/pwgen-rs |
| repository | https://github.com/vstakhov/pwgen-rs |
| max_upload_size | |
| id | 2007521 |
| size | 229,770 |
Vsevolod Stakhov (vstakhov)
documentation
README
pwgen-x
A modern, feature-rich password generator CLI written in Rust. Created as an improved alternative to the classic pwgen utility, with better entropy visualization, multiple generation modes, and a more user-friendly interface.
Note: This project was coded by Claude (Anthropic's AI assistant).
Features
- Pronounceable passwords - Markov chain-based generation trained on English words
- Secure random passwords - Cryptographically secure using ChaCha12 RNG
- Diceware passphrases - Using EFF's 7776-word list with optional word mutations (leet speak, truncation)
- PIN codes - Numeric-only passwords
- Entropy visualization - Colored progress bar with strength rating
- Flexible output - Quiet mode for scripts, customizable separators and charsets
Installation
cargo install --path .
Or build from source:
cargo build --release
./target/release/pwgen-x --help
Usage
Pronounceable Passwords (Markov Chain)
# Default: 12 characters, capitalized, with digit
pwgen-x normal
# 20 character password (positional shorthand for --length)
pwgen-x normal 20
# With symbols
pwgen-x normal 16 --symbols
# Multiple passwords
pwgen-x normal -n 5
Secure Random Passwords
# Default: 16 characters with letters, numbers, and symbols
pwgen-x secure
# 32 character password (positional shorthand)
pwgen-x secure 32
# Alphanumeric only, exclude ambiguous chars (0O1lI)
pwgen-x secure 24 --charset alphanumeric --no-ambiguous
Diceware Passphrases
# Default: 6 words with dashes and mutations (leet speak, truncation)
pwgen-x phrase
# 4 words (positional shorthand for --words)
pwgen-x phrase 4
# With spaces and capitalized
pwgen-x phrase 5 --separator space --capitalize
# Disable mutations for pure diceware words
pwgen-x phrase --no-mutate
Word mutations include:
- Leet speak - Random letter substitutions (aā4, eā3, sā5, etc.)
- Truncation - Shortening longer words
- Doubling - Repeating a letter
PIN Codes
# Default: 6 digits
pwgen-x pin
# 8-digit PIN (positional shorthand)
pwgen-x pin 8
Global Options
-n, --count <N> Generate multiple passwords
-q, --quiet Output only passwords (no decoration)
--no-color Disable colored output
Example Output
š Generating 3 Secure random password(s):
Password: D<(=j(|Gu_NT2et|
Strength: āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā 103.4 bits Very Strong š
Password: gr=wMA=gF;5GvDU(
Strength: āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā 103.4 bits Very Strong š
Password: 0qt}m20JBMG()ln(
Strength: āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā 103.4 bits Very Strong š
Entropy Reference
| Type | Example | Entropy |
|---|---|---|
| PIN (6 digits) | 495531 |
~20 bits |
| Pronounceable (12 chars) | Engou3ckeduc |
~36 bits |
| Passphrase (6 words, no mutate) | correct-horse-battery-staple |
~78 bits |
| Passphrase (6 words, mutated) | corr3ct-h0rse-battery-5taple |
~90 bits |
| Secure (16 chars) | D<(=j(|Gu_NT2et| |
~103 bits |
Strength Levels
- š Very Weak (0-24 bits) - Easily cracked
- š Weak (25-49 bits) - Vulnerable to offline attacks
- š Moderate (50-74 bits) - Acceptable for most uses
- š Strong (75-99 bits) - Good security
- š Very Strong (100+ bits) - Excellent security
Why pwgen-x?
The original pwgen is a great tool, but pwgen-x offers several improvements:
- Entropy display - See exactly how strong your password is in bits
- Diceware passphrases - Built-in support for memorable word-based passwords
- Modern CLI - Colored output, subcommands, and helpful error messages
- Single binary - No external dependencies, EFF wordlist embedded at compile time
License
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0. See LICENSE for details.
Credits
Coded by Claude (Anthropic's AI assistant) with human guidance.