---
name: "CURLOPT_NETRC_FILE"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "curl"
version: "8.23.0-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/CURLOPT_NETRC_FILE"
---

# CURLOPT\_NETRC\_FILE(3)

filename to read .netrc info from

## NAME

CURLOPT\_NETRC\_FILE - filename to read .netrc info from

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <curl/curl.h>
CURLcode curl_easy_setopt(CURL *handle, CURLOPT_NETRC_FILE, char *file);
```

## DESCRIPTION

Pass a char pointer as parameter, pointing to a null-terminated string containing the full path name to the *file* you want libcurl to use as .netrc file. If this option is omitted, and *[CURLOPT\_NETRC(3)](/CURLOPT_NETRC/3.md)* is set, libcurl checks for a .netrc file in the current user's home directory.

The application does not have to keep the string around after setting this option.

Using this option multiple times makes the last set string override the previous ones. Set it to NULL to disable its use again.

## DEFAULT

NULL

## PROTOCOLS

This functionality affects all supported protocols

## EXAMPLE

```
int main(void)
{
  CURL *curl = curl_easy_init();
  if(curl) {
    CURLcode result;
    curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_URL, "ftp://example.com/");
    curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_NETRC, CURL_NETRC_OPTIONAL);
    curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_NETRC_FILE, "/tmp/magic-netrc");
    result = curl_easy_perform(curl);
  }
}
```

## HISTORY

**CURL\_NETRC\_**\* enums became *long* types in 8.13.0, prior to this version a *long* cast was necessary when passed to *[curl\_easy\_setopt(3)](/curl_easy_setopt/3.md)*.

## AVAILABILITY

Added in curl 7.11.0

## RETURN VALUE

*[curl\_easy\_setopt(3)](/curl_easy_setopt/3.md)* returns a CURLcode indicating success or error.

CURLE\_OK (0) means everything was OK, non-zero means an error occurred, see *[libcurl-errors(3)](/libcurl-errors/3.md)*.

## SEE ALSO

[**CURLOPT\_NETRC**(3)](/CURLOPT_NETRC/3.md), [**CURLOPT\_PASSWORD**(3)](/CURLOPT_PASSWORD/3.md), [**CURLOPT\_USERNAME**(3)](/CURLOPT_USERNAME/3.md)