---
name: "netkit-netrc"
section: "5"
platform: "linux"
package: "ftp"
version: "0.17-34.1.1"
release: "Debian 11 (Bullseye)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/netkit-netrc"
---

# netkit-netrc(5)

user configuration for ftp

## NAME

**netrc** – user configuration for ftp

## SYNOPSIS

**~/.netrc**

## DESCRIPTION

This file contains configuration and autologin information for the  File Transfer Protocol client  [ftp(1)](/ftp/1.md).

The *.netrc* file contains login and initialization information used by the auto-login process. It resides in the user's home directory. The following tokens are recognized; they may be separated by spaces, tabs, or new-lines:

- **machine** *name*

  Identify a remote machine *name*. The auto-login process searches the *.netrc* file for a **machine** token that matches the remote machine specified on the **ftp** command line or as an **open** command argument. Once a match is made, the subsequent *.netrc* tokens are processed, stopping when the end of file is reached or another **machine** or a **default** token is encountered.

- **default**

  This is the same as **machine** *name* except that **default** matches any name. There can be only one **default** token, and it must be after all **machine** tokens. This is normally used as:

  ```
  default login anonymous password user@site
  ```

  thereby giving the user *automatic* anonymous ftp login to machines not specified in *.netrc*. This can be overridden by using the **-n** flag to disable auto-login.

- **login** *name*

  Identify a user on the remote machine. If this token is present, the auto-login process will initiate a login using the specified *name*.

- **password** *string*

  Supply a password. If this token is present, the auto-login process will supply the specified string if the remote server requires a password as part of the login process. Note that if this token is present in the *.netrc* file for any user other than *anonymous*, **ftp** will abort the auto-login process if the *.netrc* is readable by anyone besides the user.

- **account** *string*

  Supply an additional account password. If this token is present, the auto-login process will supply the specified string if the remote server requires an additional account password, or the auto-login process will initiate an ACCT command if it does not.

- **macdef** *name*

  Define a macro. This token functions like the **ftp** **macdef** command functions. A macro is defined with the specified name; its contents begin with the next *.netrc* line and continue until a null line (consecutive new-line characters) is encountered. If a macro named **init** is defined, it is automatically executed as the last step in the auto-login process.

## SEE ALSO

[ftp(1)](/ftp/1.md), [ftpd(8)](/ftpd/8.md)