Generate cryptographic random tokens

Before you begin

• Python 3.12 or later.
• Read access to the selected inputs.

Set up your example

1. Save as security-random-tokens.py.
2. Open a terminal in its folder.
3. Run python "security-random-tokens.py" --help and prepare the listed input files.

This recipe uses your own local input or creates its own example output. Follow the setup steps below.

Download the ZIP, extract it, and open a terminal inside the extracted folder. The source file is security-random-tokens.py.

Run the script

python "security-random-tokens.py" --bytes 32 --count 1

If your system uses python3 instead of python, use that command for Python examples. Keep paths containing spaces in quotes. Required inputs and optional settings are described in the code and setup steps.

What to expect

The complete script

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""Generate a bounded set of URL-safe random tokens using the operating-system randomness source."""
import argparse
import sys
import json
from pathlib import Path
import secrets

def main():
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Generate a bounded set of URL-safe random tokens using the operating-system randomness source.')
    parser.add_argument('--bytes',type=int,default=32)
    parser.add_argument('--count',type=int,default=1)
    args = parser.parse_args()
    if not 16<=args.bytes<=128 or not 1<=args.count<=20:raise ValueError('--bytes must be 16..128 and --count 1..20')
    for _ in range(args.count):print(secrets.token_urlsafe(args.bytes))

if __name__ == '__main__':
    try:
        main()
    except (OSError, ValueError, RuntimeError) as exc:
        print(f'Error: {exc}', file=sys.stderr)
        sys.exit(1)

Open source as plain text · Download source and sample files

How it works

1. Generate a bounded set of URL-safe random tokens using the operating-system randomness source.
2. Arguments are explicit and expected input errors produce a message with a nonzero exit code.
3. Results reflect your selected local data or the specific endpoint you choose; the example illustrates the result shape.

Make it your own

Adapt the task

Use --bytes 48 for more random input or --count 5 for five distinct tokens. Store generated secrets in an appropriate secret store.

Adjust presentation

Edit final print statements or json.dumps indentation to adjust the report layout. Keep input validation and exclusive-create file modes intact.

Change one setting at a time, run it again on sample data, and compare the output. The customization guide walks through this process.

If something goes wrong

Reference & next steps

• Python standard library documentation ↗

These official references explain the underlying tools. The Scriptage example and guide are original instructional content. See verification notes for what has been checked and the limits of those checks.

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