go-ethereum/cmd/ethkey/README.md

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ethkey
======
ethkey is a simple command-line tool for working with Ethereum keyfiles.
# Usage
### `ethkey generate`
Generate a new keyfile.
If you want to use an existing private key to use in the keyfile, it can be
specified by setting `--privatekey` with the location of the file containing the
private key.
### `ethkey inspect <keyfile>`
Print various information about the keyfile.
Private key information can be printed by using the `--private` flag;
make sure to use this feature with great caution!
### `ethkey signmessage <keyfile> <message/file>`
Sign the message with a keyfile.
It is possible to refer to a file containing the message.
To sign a message contained in a file, use the `--msgfile` flag.
### `ethkey verifymessage <address> <signature> <message/file>`
Verify the signature of the message.
It is possible to refer to a file containing the message.
To sign a message contained in a file, use the --msgfile flag.
### `ethkey changepassword <keyfile>`
Change the password of a keyfile.
use the `--newpasswordfile` to point to the new password file.
## Passwords
For every command that uses a keyfile, you will be prompted to provide the
password for decrypting the keyfile. To avoid this message, it is possible
to pass the password by using the `--passwordfile` flag pointing to a file that
contains the password.
## JSON
In case you need to output the result in a JSON format, you shall by using the `--json` flag.