# Keybase filesystem

> cryptographic file system

**Wikidata**: [Q28758163](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28758163)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/keybase-filesystem

## Summary  
Keybase filesystem (KBFS) is a free, cryptographic file system that stores data securely using end‑to‑end encryption. It is written in the Go programming language and is released under a 3‑clause BSD license.

## Key Facts  
- **Alias:** KBFS.  
- **License:** 3‑clause BSD License (source: GitHub repository, accessed 2019‑03‑06).  
- **Programming language:** Go.  
- **Initial public release:** Version 1.0.34 on 20 Nov 2017.  
- **Latest listed release:** Version 2.3.0 on 9 Jul 2018.  
- **Instance of:** Free software and cryptographic file system.  
- **Official documentation URL:** https://keybase.io/docs/kbfs (recorded 19 Nov 2017).  
- **Source code repository:** https://github.com/keybase/client/tree/master/go/kbfs (linked to the Keybase client project).  
- **Gentoo package name:** app‑crypt/kbfs.  
- **Repology project identifier:** kbfs.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What does Keybase filesystem do?  
A: KBFS provides a secure, encrypted file storage layer that integrates with the Keybase platform, allowing users to store and share files with cryptographic guarantees.  

### Q: Which programming language is KBFS written in?  
A: KBFS is implemented in Go, the open‑source language developed by Google.  

### Q: Is KBFS open source and freely available?  
A: Yes. KBFS is released as free software under a 3‑clause BSD license, and its source code is publicly hosted on GitHub.  

### Q: How can I install KBFS on a Linux system?  
A: For Gentoo users, KBFS is available as the package `app-crypt/kbfs`; other distributions can obtain it from the GitHub repository or the official Keybase documentation.  

### Q: What is the current version of KBFS?  
A: The most recent version listed in the release history is 2.3.0, published on 9 July 2018.  

## Why It Matters  
Keybase filesystem addresses the growing demand for user‑controlled, end‑to‑end encrypted storage. By embedding cryptographic guarantees directly into the file system layer, KBFS eliminates reliance on external encryption tools and reduces the attack surface for data breaches. Its integration with the broader Keybase identity and messaging ecosystem enables seamless, authenticated sharing of files among trusted parties. Written in Go, KBFS benefits from the language’s strong concurrency model and cross‑platform support, facilitating robust performance and easy deployment. The 3‑clause BSD license encourages community contributions and broad adoption, while packaging for Gentoo and inclusion in Repology demonstrate its relevance across Linux distributions. Overall, KBFS exemplifies a modern approach to secure file storage, offering both developers and end users a transparent, auditable, and freely available solution.  

## Notable For  
- First cryptographic file system tightly coupled with the Keybase identity platform.  
- Entire codebase written in Go, leveraging the language’s concurrency and portability.  
- Distributed under a permissive 3‑clause BSD license, encouraging open‑source collaboration.  
- Maintained a rapid release cadence from 2017‑2018, delivering multiple stable versions (1.0.34 → 2.3.0).  
- Packaged for Gentoo (`app-crypt/kbfs`) and indexed in Repology, indicating broad Linux ecosystem support.  

## Body  

### Overview  
- KBFS stands for **Keybase Filesystem** and is classified as both a **free software** and a **cryptographic file system**.  
- It provides encrypted storage that is accessible through the Keybase client.  

### Architecture  
- Implemented in **Go**, allowing efficient handling of concurrent file operations.  
- Utilizes end‑to‑end encryption; files are encrypted on the client before being stored on remote servers.  

### Licensing  
- Released under the **3‑clause BSD License** (as of the 2019‑03‑06 repository snapshot).  
- The BSD license permits redistribution and modification with minimal restrictions.  

### Development History  
| Version | Release Date | Source |
|---------|--------------|--------|
| 1.0.34 | 20 Nov 2017 | GitHub release tag v1.0.34 |
| 1.0.36 | 20 Nov 2017 | GitHub release tag v1.0.36 |
| 1.0.40 | 27 Jan 2018 | GitHub release tag v1.0.40 |
| 1.0.44 | 21 Feb 2018 | GitHub release tag v1.0.44 |
| 1.0.47 | 03 Apr 2018 | GitHub release tag v1.0.47 |
| 1.0.48 | 08 May 2018 | GitHub release tag v1.0.48 |
| 2.0.0  | 02 Jun 2018 | GitHub release tag v2.0.0 |
| 2.1.0  | 19 Jun 2018 | GitHub release tag v2.1.0 |
| 2.1.1  | 19 Jun 2018 | GitHub release tag v2.1.1 |
| 2.3.0  | 09 Jul 2018 | GitHub release tag v2.3.0 |

- The rapid succession of releases demonstrates active development during 2017‑2018.  

### Distribution & Packaging  
- **Website & Documentation:** https://keybase.io/docs/kbfs (official docs).  
- **Source Code:** Hosted within the Keybase client repository at `go/kbfs` on GitHub.  
- **Gentoo Package:** Available as `app-crypt/kbfs`.  
- **Repology Entry:** Listed under the project name **kbfs**, tracking version availability across Linux distributions.  

### Usage Context  
- Users of the Keybase platform can mount KBFS to access encrypted files as if they were part of the local file system.  
- The system supports sharing encrypted folders with other Keybase users, leveraging the platform’s public‑key infrastructure for authentication.  

---  

*All information above is drawn exclusively from the provided source material.*

## References

1. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/keybase/kbfs)
2. [Release 1.0.34. 2017](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v1.0.34)
3. [Release 1.0.36. 2017](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v1.0.36)
4. [Release 1.0.40. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v1.0.40)
5. [Release 1.0.44. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v1.0.44)
6. [Release 1.0.47. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v1.0.47)
7. [Release 1.0.48. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v1.0.48)
8. [Release 2.0.0. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.0.0)
9. [Release 2.1.0. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.1.0)
10. [Release 2.1.1. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.1.1)
11. [Release 2.3.0. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.3.0)
12. [Release 2.5.0. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.5.0)
13. [Release 2.5.1. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.5.1)
14. [Release 2.5.2. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.5.2)
15. [Release 2.6.0. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.6.0)
16. [Release 2.8.0. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.8.0)
17. [Release 2.10.0. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.10.0)
18. [Release 2.10.1. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.10.1)
19. [Release 2.11.0. 2018](https://github.com/keybase/kbfs/releases/tag/v2.11.0)