---
name: "gss"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "libgss-dev"
version: "1.0.4-4"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/gss"
---

# gss(1)

Generic Security Service command line interface

## NAME

gss - Generic Security Service command line interface

## SYNOPSIS

**gss** *OPTIONS*...

## DESCRIPTION

Command line interface to GSS, used to explain error codes.

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

- **-h**, **--help**

  Print help and exit.

- **-V**, **--version**

  Print version and exit.

- **-l**, **--list-mechanisms**

  List information about supported mechanisms in a human readable format.

- **-m**, **--major**=*LONG*

  Describe a \`major status' error code value.

- **-a**, **--accept-sec-context**\[=*MECH*\]

  Accept a security context as server. If MECH is not specified, no credentials will be acquired.  Use "\*" to use library default mechanism.

- **-i**, **--init-sec-context**=*MECH*

  Initialize a security context as client. MECH is the SASL name of mechanism, use **-l** to list supported mechanisms.

- **-n**, **--server-name**=*SERVICE*@HOSTNAME

  For **-i** and **-a**, set the name of the remote host. For example, "imap@mail.example.com".

- **-q**, **--quiet**

  Silent operation (default=off).

## AUTHOR

Written by Simon Josefsson.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to: bug-gss@gnu.org\
 GNU Generic Security Service home page: \<https://www.gnu.org/software/gss/\>\
 General help using GNU software: \<https://www.gnu.org/gethelp/\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2022 Simon Josefsson. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>.\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

The full documentation for **gss** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **gss** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info gss**

should give you access to the complete manual.