howdy/README.md

# Howdy for Linux  [![](https://img.shields.io/travis/boltgolt/howdy/master.svg)](https://travis-ci.org/boltgolt/howdy) [![](https://img.shields.io/github/release/boltgolt/howdy.svg?colorB=4c1)](https://github.com/boltgolt/howdy/releases) ![](https://boltgolt.nl/howdy_badge/installs.php?nc) ![](https://boltgolt.nl/howdy_badge/views.php)

Windows Hello™ style authentication for Linux. Use your built-in IR emitters and camera in combination with face recognition to prove who you are.

Using the central authentication system (PAM), this works everywhere you would otherwise need your password: Login, lock screen, sudo, su, etc.

### Installation

Howdy is currently available for Ubuntu/Debian and Arch Linux. If you’re interested in packaging Howdy for your distro, don’t hesitate to open an issue.

**Note:** The build of dlib can hang on 100% for over a minute, give it time.

##### Ubuntu (apt)

Run the installer by pasting (`ctrl+shift+V`) the following commands into the terminal one at a time:

```
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:boltgolt/howdy
sudo apt update
sudo apt install howdy
```

This will guide you through the installation.

##### Arch Linux

Install the `howdy` package from the AUR. For AUR installation instructions, take a look at this [wiki page](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Arch_User_Repository#Installing_packages).

You will need to do some additional configuration steps. Please read the [ArchWiki entry](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Howdy) for more information.

### Setup

After installation, you need to let Howdy learn your face. Run `sudo howdy add` to add a face model.

If nothing went wrong we should be able to run sudo by just showing your face. Open a new terminal and run `sudo -i` to see it in action.

If you're curious you can run `sudo howdy config` to open the central config file and see the options Howdy has. On most systems this will open the nano editor, where you have to press `ctrl`+`x` to save your changes.

### CLI

The installer adds a `howdy` command to manage face models for the current user. Use `howdy --help` or `man howdy` to list the available options.

Usage:
```
howdy [-U user] [-y] command [argument]
```

| Command   | Description                                   |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------|
| `add`     | Add a new face model for an user              |
| `clear`   | Remove all face models for an user            |
| `config`  | Open the config file in gedit                 |
| `disable` | Disable or enable howdy                       |
| `list`    | List all saved face models for an user        |
| `remove`  | Remove a specific model for an user           |
| `test`    | Test the camera and recognition methods       |

### Contributing [![](https://img.shields.io/travis/boltgolt/howdy/dev.svg?label=dev%20build)](https://github.com/boltgolt/howdy/tree/dev) [![](https://img.shields.io/github/issues-raw/boltgolt/howdy/enhancement.svg?label=feature+requests&colorB=4c1)](https://github.com/boltgolt/howdy/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3Aenhancement)

You can contribute in many ways. The easiest are reporting bugs and opening github issues for features you'd like to see in howdy. Code contributions are also very welcome.

### Troubleshooting

Any python errors get logged directly into the console and should indicate what went wrong. If authentication still fails but no errors are printed you could take a look at the last lines in `/var/log/auth.log` to see if anything has been reported there.

If you encounter an error that hasn't been reported yet, don't be afraid to open a new issue.

### A note on security

This script is in no way as secure as a password and will never be. Although it's harder to fool than normal face recognition, a person who looks similar to you or well-printed photo of you could be enough to do it.

To minimize the chance of this program being compromised, it's recommend to leave Howdy in `/lib/security` and to keep it read only.

DO NOT USE HOWDY AS THE SOLE AUTHENTICATION METHOD FOR YOUR SYSTEM.