Create a One-Off Django Secret Key

I have to create one-off Django secret keys all the time. To do this, I use any of the following methods built-in Django methods for doing so. This is not the only way to create a valid and secure secret key for Django but it is what Django uses specifically.

This entire post assumes you have Django installed into a Python virtual environment. Bookmark this page as it will become more and more useful for you over time.

From the Command Line

bash

python -c 'from django.core.management.utils import get_random_secret_key; print(get_random_secret_key())'

This will print out a new Django secret key every time you call it.

Using the Django Managed Shell

In a virtual environment that has a Django project run:

bash

python manage.py shell

In a virtual enviroment that does not have a Django project run:

django-admin shell

Now run the following:

python


from django.core.management.utils import get_random_secret_key

print(get_random_secret_key())

Base-64 Encoded Django Secret Key

If you need a Base64 encoded version like for Kubernetes or Knative, use the following commands:

bash

export SECRET_KEY=$(python -c "from django.core.management.utils import get_random_secret_key;print(get_random_secret_key())")
echo "Secret key is: $SECRET_KEY"
export SECRET_KEY_ENCODED=$(echo "$SECRET_KEY" | base64)
echo "Base64 Encoded Secret key is: $SECRET_KEY_ENCODED"