# go-acme/lego

> Let's Encrypt/ACME client and library written in Go

## Fast Facts & Telemetry
- **Canonical URL**: https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/go-acme/lego
- **GitHub Source**: https://github.com/go-acme/lego
- **Global Rank**: #1,359 on GitHubRepo
- **Stars**: 9,949
- **Forks**: 1,181
- **Open Issues**: 106
- **Primary Language**: Go
- **Software License**: MIT
- **Last Commit / Push**: Oct 17, 2026
- **Topics**: acme, acme-client, certificate, dns, letsencrypt, rfc8555, rfc8737, rfc8738, security, tls

## Project Overview
lego is an open-source project written in Go: Let's Encrypt/ACME client and library written in Go.

Engineered for speed, consistency, and developer ease, it solves common hurdles in acme, acme-client, certificate. It provides clear interfaces, comprehensive configuration options, and seamless integration with existing tools across the modern development stack.

## Key Features
- Optimized execution pipeline written in Go for predictable speed.
- Zero-friction configuration with comprehensive sensible defaults out of the box.
- Cross-platform runtime support across Linux, macOS, and Windows environments.
- Strong typing and modular architecture designed for easy extension and maintainability.
- Standardized CLI and API interfaces for smooth integration into CI/CD workflows.
- Active community maintenance with regular dependency updates and security patches.

## Installation & Quick Start
### Linux
```bash
go install github.com/go-acme/lego@latest
```

### macOS
```bash
go install github.com/go-acme/lego@latest
```

### Windows
```bash
go install github.com/go-acme/lego@latest
```

## System Requirements & Architecture
- **Supported Platforms**: macOS, Linux, Windows
- **Runtime Dependencies**: Go >= 1.21 runtime environment
- **Architecture**: x86_64, ARM64 (Apple Silicon & Graviton)

## How It Works
lego coordinates its core functionality through a modular Go pipeline. It parses configuration parameters, validates inputs, and resolves dependencies asynchronously. By minimizing runtime overhead and keeping allocations localized, it delivers predictable performance in both local development environments and automated production workloads.

## Production Use Cases
### Command-Line Automation
Execute automated build, deployment, and maintenance tasks directly from the terminal.

### CI/CD Workflow Integration
Run non-interactive validation checks in GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or local pre-commit hooks.

### Developer Environment Setup
Standardize local engineering workstations with single-binary utility commands.

### Scripting & Pipeline Orchestration
Chain complex multi-stage scripts with reliable error reporting and exits.

## Target Audience
Developers and engineering teams building with Go, seeking reliable, tested, and actively maintained tooling for production workloads.

## Strengths
- Active community backing with 9,949 GitHub stars and verified adoption.
- Permissive open-source distribution under the MIT license.
- Built in Go for high execution speed and developer familiarity.
- Cross-platform compatibility across modern Linux, macOS, and Windows environments.
- Clean modular design allowing flexible configuration and pipeline integration.

## Considerations
- Requires familiarity with Go and modern CLI workflows.
- Ecosystem extensions may require manual configuration depending on environment constraints.
- Active development roadmap means breaking API changes may occur across major versions.

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