How to use java keytool for managing SSL certifications in keystores

Java Keytool Commands for Creating and Importing

These commands allow you to generate a new Java Keytool keystore file, create a CSR, and import certificates. Any root or intermediate certificates will need to be imported before importing the primary certificate for your domain.

Generate a Java keystore and key pair

keytool -genkey -alias mydomain -keyalg RSA -keystore keystore.jks -keysize 2048

Generate a certificate signing request (CSR) for an existing Java keystore

keytool -certreq -alias mydomain -keystore keystore.jks -file mydomain.csr

Import a root or intermediate CA certificate to an existing Java keystore

keytool -import -trustcacerts -alias root -file Thawte.crt -keystore keystore.jks

Import a signed primary certificate to an existing Java keystore

keytool -import -trustcacerts -alias mydomain -file mydomain.crt -keystore keystore.jks

Generate a keystore and self-signed certificate (see How to Create a Self Signed Certificate using Java Keytool for more info)

keytool -genkey -keyalg RSA -alias selfsigned -keystore keystore.jks -storepass password -validity 360 -keysize 2048

Java Keytool Commands for Checking

If you need to check the information within a certificate, or Java keystore, use these commands.

Check a stand-alone certificate

keytool -printcert -v -file mydomain.crt

Check which certificates are in a Java keystore

keytool -list -v -keystore keystore.jks

Check a particular keystore entry using an alias

keytool -list -v -keystore keystore.jks -alias mydomain

Other Java Keytool Commands

Delete a certificate from a Java Keytool keystore

keytool -delete -alias mydomain -keystore keystore.jks

Change a Java keystore password

keytool -storepasswd -new new_storepass -keystore keystore.jks

Export a certificate from a keystore

keytool -export -alias mydomain -file mydomain.crt -keystore keystore.jks

List Trusted CA Certs

keytool -list -v -keystore $JAVA_HOME/jre/lib/security/cacerts

Import New CA into Trusted Certs

keytool -import -trustcacerts -file /path/to/ca/ca.pem -alias CA_ALIAS -keystore $JAVA_HOME/jre/lib/security/cacerts