I’ve been using KeePassXC as my password manager for many years now. Here are my tips and recommendations to get the most out of KeePassXC.

Auto-Fill

The Basics: Use Auto-Fill to let KeePass insert your username and password.

Auto-Fill Option A) Use the browser extension.

Install the browser extension and connect it via Settings > Browser Integration.

You have to specify an URL for each entry.

Auto-Fill Option B) Use the Auto-Type.

With Auto-Type, you don’t need a browser extension but you have to define a window title that KeePass can match.

• Setup via Settings > General > Auto-Type -> Global Auto-Type shortcut. I use “Ctrl + Cmd + A”.
• You have to specify a Window Association for each entry. The star is a wildcard to match the window title.

Entry Notes

I heavily use the entry notes for additional information. For instance, I place the numbers of my bank accounts, credit cards, tax, insurance, and contracts here.

2-Factor-Authentication

KeePassXC can generate the token for a 2-Factor-Authentication. And the token can be auto-filled. You don’t need to grab the Smartphone and the Google Authenticator. You only need the secret key that is contained in the QR Code you usually scan with your smartphone.

Sensitive Files

You can store sensitive files (like ssh private keys) as attachments.

Edit Entry > Advanced > Attachments

Decryption Time

You can set the decryption time for opening the database after typing the password. This makes brute force attacks harder, especially when you sync your database via cloud services like Dropbox.

Database Settings > Security > Encryption Settings -> Decryption Time.

Entry Icons

Assign corresponding favicons to your entries to make them look nice.

• Setup: Settings > Security -> Check Use DuckDuckGo service to download website icons
• Apply: Cmd+A to mark all entries, right-click, Download Favicon (only works if an URL is specified in the entry)

Quick Unlock

Quick Unlock is handy to avoid typing in the master password multiple times.

Application Settings > Security -> check Enable database quick unlock (Touch Id, Windows Hello)

Keepass2Android

The Keepass2Android app is excellent.

It supports retrieving the database directly from cloud services like Dropbox. So it ensures that everything is in sync.

Plus, you can also activate the unlock via fingerprint in the app.

It’s Free

Last but not least: KeePassXC is free. You get all features and can sync your database on as many devices as you want (given that your cloud service allows that :-) )

That’s it. I hope it was helpful to you. What is your favorite feature of KeePassXC?