Link Your CTF Handle to Your Linux Handbook Account

Your CTF handle is tied to the computer you play on, through a key saved in ~/.ctf_user. Link it to your Linux Handbook account and it goes wherever you go. A free account is enough.

Why link your handle

You can play as the same handle, with the same progress, on any computer. You also don't lose it if you delete ~/.ctf_user or reinstall your system.

Some future games will be for Linux Handbook members. A linked handle is how you get into those.

How to link

In your terminal, run:

python3 play.py link

You can also type link in the game menu. The game shows a short code and opens this page with it.

Sign in to Linux Handbook if you aren't already, check that the code on this page matches the one in your terminal, and confirm. The game picks it up in a couple of seconds.

Only confirm a code your own terminal is showing right now. If someone sent you a link to this page with a code in it, close the page.

Playing on another computer

Run play.py on the new computer. On the first run, choose "I've played before: sign in with my Linux Handbook account" instead of picking a new handle. Confirm the code here, and you're back to your handle and progress.

What gets stored

The CTF server stores your Linux Handbook member ID and whether your membership is paid. That's how it finds your handle again.

Your email address and password never reach the CTF server. When you confirm, Linux Handbook hands this page a short-lived signed token, and the CTF server checks the signature.

Want your handle unlinked? Contact us.