# age

> file encryption tool

**Wikidata**: [Q108451484](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108451484)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/age-q108451484

## Summary
Age is a file encryption tool developed in the Go programming language. It is designed to provide secure encryption for files and is available as free and open-source software under the 3-clause BSD License. Age supports multiple operating systems, including Microsoft Windows and Unix-like systems.

## Key Facts
- **Primary use**: Encryption of files.
- **Aliases**: Actually Good Encryption, Age, age encryption, age file encryption.
- **License**: 3-clause BSD License (as of 2023-08-08).
- **Programming language**: Go (developed by Google and the open-source community).
- **Operating systems**: Microsoft Windows, Unix-like operating systems.
- **Latest stable version**: 1.0.0-rc.3 (release candidate, published on 2021-06-15).
- **Website**: [age-encryption.org](https://age-encryption.org/) (English).
- **Source code repository**: [GitHub](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age).
- **Package availability**: Available for FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Fedora, Gentoo, Ubuntu, openSUSE, macOS (via MacPorts), Arch Linux, Alpine Linux, and Debian.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Age encryption used for?
A: Age is a file encryption tool designed to securely encrypt files. It is particularly useful for protecting sensitive data by converting it into an encrypted format that can only be decrypted with the correct key.

### Q: Which operating systems does Age support?
A: Age supports Microsoft Windows and Unix-like operating systems, making it compatible with a wide range of platforms.

### Q: Is Age free and open-source?
A: Yes, Age is free and open-source software, licensed under the 3-clause BSD License, which allows for broad use and modification.

### Q: How do I install Age?
A: Age can be installed via package managers for various operating systems, including FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Fedora, Gentoo, Ubuntu, openSUSE, macOS (MacPorts), Arch Linux, Alpine Linux, and Debian. It is also available as a Homebrew formula and a Chocolatey package for Windows.

### Q: What is the latest version of Age?
A: The latest stable version of Age is 1.0.0-rc.3, released on June 15, 2021. Previous versions include multiple beta releases leading up to this release candidate.

## Why It Matters
Age addresses the need for a simple yet secure file encryption tool, particularly in environments where sensitive data must be protected. By leveraging the Go programming language, Age ensures cross-platform compatibility and robust performance. Its open-source nature allows for community contributions and audits, enhancing trust in its security. The tool is notable for its straightforward design and integration with various operating systems, making it accessible to a broad user base. Age plays a crucial role in data security by providing an easy-to-use solution for encrypting files, thereby protecting them from unauthorized access.

## Notable For
- **Reference implementation**: Age serves as a reference implementation for file encryption, influencing other similar tools.
- **Cross-platform support**: Compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Unix-like operating systems.
- **Open-source licensing**: Released under the 3-clause BSD License, promoting broad usage and modification.
- **Community-driven development**: Hosted on GitHub, allowing for community contributions and issue tracking.
- **Package availability**: Widely available through package managers for multiple operating systems, including FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Fedora, Gentoo, Ubuntu, openSUSE, macOS, Arch Linux, Alpine Linux, and Debian.

## Body
### Overview
Age is a file encryption tool developed in the Go programming language. It is designed to provide secure encryption for files and is available as free and open-source software under the 3-clause BSD License. Age supports multiple operating systems, including Microsoft Windows and Unix-like systems.

### Development and Release
- **Programming language**: Go, developed by Google and the open-source community.
- **Source code repository**: Hosted on GitHub at [https://github.com/FiloSottile/age](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age).
- **Latest stable version**: 1.0.0-rc.3, released on June 15, 2021.
- **Previous versions**: Multiple beta releases (1.0.0-beta1 to 1.0.0-beta7) and release candidates (1.0.0-rc.1 to 1.0.0-rc.2) were published between 2019 and 2021.

### Licensing and Availability
- **License**: 3-clause BSD License (as of 2023-08-08).
- **Package availability**:
  - FreeBSD: `security/age`
  - OpenBSD: `security/age`
  - Fedora: `age`
  - Gentoo: `app-crypt/age`
  - Ubuntu: `age`
  - openSUSE: `age`
  - macOS (MacPorts): `age`
  - Arch Linux: `age`
  - Alpine Linux: `age`, `age-doc`
  - Debian: `age`
  - Homebrew: `age`
  - Chocolatey (Windows): `age.portable`

### Technical Details
- **File formats**: Age supports reading and writing files in the `age` format.
- **Operating systems**: Microsoft Windows, Unix-like operating systems.
- **Website**: [age-encryption.org](https://age-encryption.org/) (English).
- **Domain name**: `age-encryption.org`.

### Classification
- **Instance of**: Software, encryption software, console application, software library, free and open-source software, reference implementation for Age.
- **Copyright status**: Copyrighted.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/blob/6ad4560f4afc3fe46b6cda0bc568e50b89a22e4c/LICENSE)
2. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/FiloSottile/age)
3. [Release 1.0.0-beta1. 2019](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta1)
4. [Release 1.0.0-beta2. 2019](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta2)
5. [Release 1.0.0-beta3. 2020](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta3)
6. [Release 1.0.0-beta4. 2020](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta4)
7. [Release 1.0.0-beta5. 2020](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta5)
8. [Release 1.0.0-beta6. 2021](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta6)
9. [Release 1.0.0-beta7. 2021](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta7)
10. [Release 1.0.0-rc.1. 2021](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc.1)
11. [Release 1.0.0-rc.2. 2021](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc.2)
12. [Release 1.0.0-rc.3. 2021](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc.3)
13. [Release 1.0.0. 2021](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.0.0)
14. [Release 1.1.0-rc.1. 2022](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.1.0-rc.1)
15. [Release 1.1.0. 2022](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.1.0)
16. [Release 1.1.1. 2022](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.1.1)
17. [Release 1.2.0. 2024](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.2.0)
18. [Release 1.2.1. 2024](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.2.1)
19. [Release 1.3.0. 2025](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.3.0)
20. [Release 1.3.1. 2025](https://github.com/FiloSottile/age/releases/tag/v1.3.1)