2 vim:set ts=4 sw=4 tw=82 noet:
10 signal-cli - A commandline and dbus interface for the Signal messenger
14 *signal-cli* [--config CONFIG] [-h | -v | -u USERNAME | --dbus | --dbus-system] command [command-options]
18 signal-cli is a commandline interface for libsignal-service-java.
19 It supports registering, verifying, sending and receiving messages.
20 For registering you need a phone number where you can receive SMS or incoming calls.
21 signal-cli was primarily developed to be used on servers to notify admins of important events.
22 For this use-case, it has a dbus interface, that can be used to send messages from any programming language that has dbus bindings.
24 For some functionality the Signal protocol requires that all messages have been received from the server.
25 The `receive` command should be regularly executed. In daemon mode messages are continuously received.
30 Show help message and quit.
33 Print the version and quit.
36 Raise log level and include lib signal logs.
39 Set the path, where to store the config.
40 Make sure you have full read/write access to the given directory.
41 (Default: `$XDG_DATA_HOME/signal-cli` (`$HOME/.local/share/signal-cli`))
43 *-u* USERNAME, *--username* USERNAME::
44 Specify your phone number, that will be your identifier.
45 The phone number must include the country calling code, i.e. the number must start with a "+" sign.
47 This flag must not be given for the `link` command.
48 It is optional for the `daemon` command.
49 For all other commands it is only optional if there is exactly one local user in the
53 Make request via user dbus.
56 Make request via system dbus.
58 *-o* OUTPUT-MODE, *--output* OUTPUT-MODE::
59 Specify if you want commands to output in either "plain-text" mode or in "json". Defaults to "plain-text"
61 *--trust-new-identities* TRUST-MODE::
62 Choose when to trust new identities:
63 - `on-first-use` (default): Trust the first seen identity key from new users,
64 changed keys must be verified manually
65 - `always`: Trust any new identity key without verification
66 - `never`: Don't trust any unknown identity key, every key must be verified manually
72 Register a phone number with SMS or voice verification.
73 Use the verify command to complete the verification.
76 The verification should be done over voice, not SMS.
79 The captcha token, required if registration failed with a captcha required error.
80 To get the token, go to https://signalcaptchas.org/registration/generate.html
81 Check the developer tools for a redirect starting with signalcaptcha://
82 Everything after signalcaptcha:// is the captcha token.
86 Verify the number using the code received via SMS or voice.
89 The verification code.
91 *-p* PIN, *--pin* PIN::
92 The registration lock PIN, that was set by the user.
93 Only required if a PIN was set.
97 Disable push support for this device, i.e. this device won't receive any more messages.
98 If this is the master device, other users can't send messages to this number anymore.
99 Use "updateAccount" to undo this.
100 To remove a linked device, use "removeDevice" from the master device.
103 Delete account completely from server. Cannot be undone without loss. You will
104 have to be readded to each group.
106 CAUTION: Only delete your account if you won't use this number again!
110 Update the account attributes on the signal server.
111 Can fix problems with receiving messages.
115 Set a registration lock pin, to prevent others from registering this number.
117 REGISTRATION_LOCK_PIN::
118 The registration lock PIN, that will be required for new registrations (resets after 7 days of inactivity)
122 Remove the registration lock pin.
126 Link to an existing device, instead of registering a new number.
127 This shows a "tsdevice:/…" URI. If you want to connect to another signal-cli instance, you can just use this URI.
128 If you want to link to an Android/iOS device, create a QR code with the URI (e.g. with qrencode) and scan that in the Signal app.
130 *-n* NAME, *--name* NAME::
131 Optionally specify a name to describe this new device.
132 By default "cli" will be used.
136 Link another device to this device.
137 Only works, if this is the master device.
140 Specify the uri contained in the QR code shown by the new device.
141 You will need the full uri enclosed in quotation marks, such as "tsdevice:/?uuid=....."
145 Show a list of linked devices.
149 Remove a linked device.
150 Only works, if this is the master device.
152 *-d* DEVICE_ID, *--device-id* DEVICE_ID::
153 Specify the device you want to remove.
154 Use listDevices to see the deviceIds.
158 Uses a list of phone numbers to determine the statuses of those users.
159 Shows if they are registered on the Signal Servers or not.
160 In json mode this is outputted as a list of objects.
162 [NUMBER [NUMBER ...]]::
163 One or more numbers to check.
167 Send a message to another user or group.
170 Specify the recipients’ phone number.
172 *-g* GROUP, *--group-id* GROUP::
173 Specify the recipient group ID in base64 encoding.
175 *-m* MESSAGE, *--message* MESSAGE::
176 Specify the message, if missing, standard input is used.
178 *-a* [ATTACHMENT [ATTACHMENT ...]], *--attachment* [ATTACHMENT [ATTACHMENT ...]]::
179 Add one or more files as attachment.
182 Send the message to self without notification.
184 *-e*, *--end-session*::
185 Clear session state and send end session message.
189 Send reaction to a previously received or sent message.
192 Specify the recipients’ phone number.
194 *-g* GROUP, *--group-id* GROUP::
195 Specify the recipient group ID in base64 encoding.
197 *-e* EMOJI, *--emoji* EMOJI::
198 Specify the emoji, should be a single unicode grapheme cluster.
200 *-a* NUMBER, *--target-author* NUMBER::
201 Specify the number of the author of the message to which to react.
203 *-t* TIMESTAMP, *--target-timestamp* TIMESTAMP::
204 Specify the timestamp of the message to which to react.
211 Send a read or viewed receipt to a previously received message.
214 Specify the sender’s phone number.
216 *-t* TIMESTAMP, *--target-timestamp* TIMESTAMP::
217 Specify the timestamp of the message to which to react.
220 Specify the receipt type, either `read` (the default) or `viewed`.
224 Send typing message to trigger a typing indicator for the recipient.
225 Indicator will be shown for 15seconds unless a typing STOP message is sent first.
228 Specify the recipients’ phone number.
230 *-g* GROUP, *--group-id* GROUP::
231 Specify the recipient group ID in base64 encoding.
234 Send a typing STOP message.
238 Remotely delete a previously sent message.
241 Specify the recipients’ phone number.
243 *-g* GROUP, *--group-id* GROUP::
244 Specify the recipient group ID in base64 encoding.
246 *-t* TIMESTAMP, *--target-timestamp* TIMESTAMP::
247 Specify the timestamp of the message to delete.
251 Query the server for new messages.
252 New messages are printed on standard output and attachments are downloaded to the config directory.
253 In json mode this is outputted as one json object per line.
255 *-t* TIMEOUT, *--timeout* TIMEOUT::
256 Number of seconds to wait for new messages (negative values disable timeout).
257 Default is 5 seconds.
258 *--ignore-attachments*::
259 Don’t download attachments of received messages.
263 Join a group via an invitation link.
266 The invitation link URI (starts with `https://signal.group/#`)
270 Create or update a group.
271 If the user is a pending member, this command will accept the group invitation.
273 *-g* GROUP, *--group-id* GROUP::
274 Specify the recipient group ID in base64 encoding.
275 If not specified, a new group with a new random ID is generated.
277 *-n* NAME, *--name* NAME::
278 Specify the new group name.
280 *-d* DESCRIPTION, *--description* DESCRIPTION::
281 Specify the new group description.
283 *-a* AVATAR, *--avatar* AVATAR::
284 Specify a new group avatar image file.
286 *-m* [MEMBER [MEMBER ...]], *--member* [MEMBER [MEMBER ...]]::
287 Specify one or more members to add to the group.
289 *-r* [MEMBER [MEMBER ...]], *--remove-member* [MEMBER [MEMBER ...]]::
290 Specify one or more members to remove from the group
292 *--admin* [MEMBER [MEMBER ...]]::
293 Specify one or more members to make a group admin
295 *--remove-admin* [MEMBER [MEMBER ...]]::
296 Specify one or more members to remove group admin privileges
299 Reset group link and create new link password
301 *--link* LINK_STATE::
302 Set group link state: `enabled`, `enabled-with-approval`, `disabled`
304 *--set-permission-add-member* PERMISSION::
305 Set permission to add new group members: `every-member`, `only-admins`
307 *--set-permission-edit-details* PERMISSION::
308 Set permission to edit group details: `every-member`, `only-admins`
310 *--set-permission-send-messages* PERMISSION::
311 Set permission to send messages in group: `every-member`, `only-admins`
312 Groups where only admins can send messages are also called announcement groups
314 *-e* EXPIRATION_SECONDS, *--expiration* EXPIRATION_SECONDS::
315 Set expiration time of messages (seconds).
316 To disable expiration set expiration time to 0.
320 Send a quit group message to all group members and remove self from member list.
321 If the user is a pending member, this command will decline the group invitation.
323 *-g* GROUP, *--group-id* GROUP::
324 Specify the recipient group ID in base64 encoding.
327 Delete local group data completely after quitting group.
331 Show a list of known groups and related information.
332 In json mode this is outputted as an list of objects and is always in detailed mode.
335 Include the list of members of each group and the group invite link.
339 Show a list of known contacts with names.
343 List all known identity keys and their trust status, fingerprint and safety number.
345 *-n* NUMBER, *--number* NUMBER::
346 Only show identity keys for the given phone number.
350 Set the trust level of a given number.
351 The first time a key for a number is seen, it is trusted by default (TOFU).
352 If the key changes, the new key must be trusted manually.
355 Specify the phone number, for which to set the trust.
357 *-a*, *--trust-all-known-keys*::
358 Trust all known keys of this user, only use this for testing.
360 *-v* VERIFIED_SAFETY_NUMBER, *--verified-safety-number* VERIFIED_SAFETY_NUMBER::
361 Specify the safety number of the key, only use this option if you have verified the safety number.
365 Update the profile information shown to message recipients.
366 The profile is stored encrypted on the Signal servers.
367 The decryption key is sent with every outgoing messages to contacts and included
370 *--given-name* NAME, *--name* NAME::
373 *--family-name* FAMILY_NAME::
376 *--about* ABOUT_TEXT::
377 New profile status text.
379 *--about-emoji* EMOJI::
380 New profile status emoji.
382 *--avatar* AVATAR_FILE::
383 Path to the new avatar image file.
390 Update the info associated to a number on our contact list.
391 This change is only local but can be synchronized to other devices by using `sendContacts` (see below).
392 If the contact doesn't exist yet, it will be added.
395 Specify the contact phone number.
398 Specify the new name for this contact.
400 *-e*, *--expiration* EXPIRATION_SECONDS::
401 Set expiration time of messages (seconds).
402 To disable expiration set expiration time to 0.
406 Block the given contacts or groups (no messages will be received).
407 This change is only local but can be synchronized to other devices by using `sendContacts` (see below).
409 [CONTACT [CONTACT ...]]::
410 Specify the phone numbers of contacts that should be blocked.
412 *-g* [GROUP [GROUP ...]], *--group-id* [GROUP [GROUP ...]]::
413 Specify the group IDs that should be blocked in base64 encoding.
417 Unblock the given contacts or groups (messages will be received again).
418 This change is only local but can be synchronized to other devices by using `sendContacts` (see below).
420 [CONTACT [CONTACT ...]]::
421 Specify the phone numbers of contacts that should be unblocked.
423 *-g* [GROUP [GROUP ...]], *--group-id* [GROUP [GROUP ...]]::
424 Specify the group IDs that should be unblocked in base64 encoding.
428 Send a synchronization message with the local contacts list to all linked devices.
429 This command should only be used if this is the master device.
433 Send a synchronization request message to the master device (for group, contacts, ...).
434 The master device will respond with synchronization messages with full contact and
437 === uploadStickerPack
439 Upload a new sticker pack, consisting of a manifest file and the sticker images.
440 Images must conform to the following specification: (see https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360031836512-Stickers#sticker_reqs )
441 - Static stickers in PNG or WebP format
442 - Animated stickers in APNG format,
443 - Maximum file size for a sticker file is 300KiB
444 - Image resolution of 512 x 512 px
446 The required manifest.json has the following format:
451 "title": "<STICKER_PACK_TITLE>",
452 "author": "<STICKER_PACK_AUTHOR>",
453 "cover": { // Optional cover, by default the first sticker is used as cover
454 "file": "<name of image file, mandatory>",
455 "contentType": "<optional>",
456 "emoji": "<optional>"
460 "file": "<name of image file, mandatory>",
461 "contentType": "<optional>",
462 "emoji": "<optional>"
470 The path of the manifest.json or a zip file containing the sticker pack you wish to upload.
474 signal-cli can run in daemon mode and provides an experimental dbus interface.
475 If no `-u` username is given, all local users will be exported as separate dbus
476 objects under the same bus name.
479 Use DBus system bus instead of user bus.
480 *--ignore-attachments*::
481 Don’t download attachments of received messages.
485 Register a number (with SMS verification)::
486 signal-cli -u USERNAME register
488 Verify the number using the code received via SMS or voice::
489 signal-cli -u USERNAME verify CODE
491 Send a message to one or more recipients::
492 signal-cli -u USERNAME send -m "This is a message" [RECIPIENT [RECIPIENT ...]] [-a [ATTACHMENT [ATTACHMENT ...]]]
494 Pipe the message content from another process::
495 uname -a | signal-cli -u USERNAME send [RECIPIENT [RECIPIENT ...]]
498 signal-cli -u USERNAME updateGroup -n "Group name" -m [MEMBER [MEMBER ...]]
500 Add member to a group::
501 signal-cli -u USERNAME updateGroup -g GROUP_ID -m "NEW_MEMBER"
503 Accept a group invitation::
504 signal-cli -u USERNAME updateGroup -g GROUP_ID
507 signal-cli -u USERNAME quitGroup -g GROUP_ID
509 Send a message to a group::
510 signal-cli -u USERNAME send -m "This is a message" -g GROUP_ID
512 Trust new key, after having verified it::
513 signal-cli -u USERNAME trust -v SAFETY_NUMBER NUMBER
515 Trust new key, without having verified it. Only use this if you don't care about security::
516 signal-cli -u USERNAME trust -a NUMBER
519 * *1*: Error is probably caused and fixable by the user
520 * *2*: Some unexpected error
521 * *3*: Server or IO error
522 * *4*: Sending failed due to untrusted key
526 The password and cryptographic keys are created when registering and stored in the current users home directory, the directory can be changed with *--config*:
528 `$XDG_DATA_HOME/signal-cli/` (`$HOME/.local/share/signal-cli/`)
532 Maintained by AsamK <asamk@gmx.de>, who is assisted by other open source contributors.
533 For more information about signal-cli development, see
534 <https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli>.