A passphrase generator inspired by the XKCD "Password Strength" comic, creating high-entropy, easy-to-remember passphrases using acrostical word combinations.

This tool goes beyond simple random word selection by generating passphrases where each word starts with a specific letter, creating memorable patterns while maintaining strong security through high entropy.

• Acrostic passphrases - Generate phrases from a word (e.g., "test" becomes "Terrible-Exhausting-Scary-Tornado")
• Random passphrases - Create completely random acrostical phrases
• Customizable formatting:
  • Multiple capitalization modes (none, first, all, random)
  • Custom word separators
  • Optional number injection for additional entropy
• High quality - Uses curated word lists of adjectives and nouns
• Secure - Cryptographically random word selection

git clone https://github.com/awoodbeck/xkcdpw.git
cd xkcdpw
go build

• Go 1.25.5 or later

Generate passphrases with a random 4-letter word:

xkcdpw

Output:

Gorgeous-Radiant-Eager-Youthful

Generate a passphrase from a specific word:

xkcdpw hello

Output:

Handsome-Eager-Lively-Locked-Optimistic

Generate multiple passphrases:

xkcdpw 5

Output:

Brilliant-Zealous-Happy-Caring

Bright-Zesty-Harmonious-Charming

Bold-Zippy-Honest-Cheerful

Beautiful-Zany-Helpful-Creative

Brave-Zippy-Hearty-Calm

xkcdpw [WORD] [NUMBER] [flags]

• WORD (optional): Word to use as acrostic. If omitted, a random 4-letter word is generated.
• NUMBER (optional): Number of passphrases to generate (default: 10, max: 100)

Generate 5 passphrases from "security":

xkcdpw security 5

Output:

Safe-Energetic-Cheerful-Unique-Rapid-Intelligent-Thankful-Youthful

Stellar-Enormous-Creative-Upbeat-Resilient-Impressive-Timely-Young

Strong-Elegant-Careful-Unstoppable-Ready-Innovative-Thrilling-Yielding

Solid-Exciting-Confident-Ultimate-Reliable-Inspiring-Trustworthy-Yummy

Sturdy-Excellent-Calm-Useful-Robust-Interesting-Tremendous-Yellow

Use spaces and lowercase:

xkcdpw test 3 -d " " -c none

Output:

terrible exhausting scary tornado

tough energetic simple tremendous

tiny elegant sharp therapeutic

Add random numbers for extra security:

xkcdpw pass 3 -n --number-min 100 --number-max 999

Output:

Perfect-Awesome-Strong-Secure-847

Powerful-Amazing-Super-Safe-293

Practical-Agile-Solid-Stable-621

Use underscores and all caps:

xkcdpw safe 2 -d "_" -c all

Output:

STELLAR_AMAZING_FANTASTIC_EXCELLENT

SUPER_AWESOME_FABULOUS_EPIC

Add numbers at the beginning:

xkcdpw code 2 -n --number-min 1000 --number-max 9999 --number-position beginning

Output:

7284-Creative-Outstanding-Dependable-Excellent

3901-Confident-Optimal-Daring-Energetic

none - All lowercase

xkcdpw acrostic test 1 -c none
# terrible-exhausting-scary-tornado

first - Title case (default)

xkcdpw acrostic test 1 -c first
# Terrible-Exhausting-Scary-Tornado

all - All uppercase

xkcdpw acrostic test 1 -c all
# TERRIBLE-EXHAUSTING-SCARY-TORNADO

random - Random capitalization

xkcdpw acrostic test 1 -c random
# tErRiBlE-ExHaUsTiNg-sCaRy-ToRnAdO

• Password managers - Generate memorable master passwords
• System passphrases - Easy to type, hard to crack
• Mnemonic devices - Create memorable phrases from acronyms
• Creative inspiration - Generate interesting word combinations

• Uses cryptographically secure random number generation
• High entropy through large word lists
• Each word adds approximately 10-13 bits of entropy
• A 4-word passphrase provides ~40-52 bits of entropy
• Adding numbers increases entropy further

Example entropy calculation:

• 4 random words: ~48 bits
• With 3-digit number (000-999): ~58 bits
• 5 words with 4-digit number: ~75 bits

• Inspired by XKCD #936: Password Strength

See LICENSE file for details.