---
name: "gids-tool"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "opensc"
version: "0.27.1-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/gids-tool"
---

# gids-tool(1)

smart card utility for GIDS cards

## NAME

gids-tool - smart card utility for GIDS cards

## SYNOPSIS

**gids-tool** \[*OPTIONS*\]

##

The **gids-tool** utility can be used from the command line to perform miscellaneous smart card operations on a GIDS smart card.

## OPTIONS

- **-X**, **--initialize**

  Initialize token.

- **--admin-key** *argument*

  Define the administrator key

- **--pin** *pin*

  This option can be used to specify the PIN value on the command line. If the value is set to env:*VARIABLE*, the value of the specified environment variable is used. By default, the code is prompted on the command line if needed.

  Note that on most operation systems, any user can display the command line of any process on the system using utilities such as **[ps(1)](/ps/1.md)**. Therefore, you should prefer passing the codes via an environment variable on an unsecured system.

- **--serial-number** *argument*

  Define serial number.

- **-U**, **--unblock**

  Unblock the user PIN after an administrator authentication.

- **-C**, **--change-admin-key**

  Change the administrator key.

- **--new-admin-key** *argument*

  Define the new administrator key.

- **--reader** *argument*, **-r** *argument*

  Number of the reader to use. By default, the first reader with a present card is used. If *argument* is an ATR, the reader with a matching card will be chosen.

- **-w**, **--wait**

  Wait for a card to be inserted.

- **-v**, **--verbose**

  Verbose operation. Use several times to enable debug output.

## SEE ALSO

[**opensc-tool**(1)](/opensc-tool/1.md)

## AUTHORS

**gids-tool** was written by Vincent Le Toux \<vincent.letoux@mysmartlogon.com\>.