---
layout: docs
page_title: token create - Command
description: |-
  The "token create" command creates a new token that can be used for
  authentication. This token will be created as a child of the currently
  authenticated token. The generated token will inherit all policies and
  permissions of the currently authenticated token unless you explicitly define
  a subset list policies to assign to the token.
---

# token create

The `token create` command creates a new token that can be used for
authentication. This token will be created as a child of the currently
authenticated token. The generated token will inherit all policies and
permissions of the currently authenticated token unless you explicitly define a
subset list policies to assign to the token.

A ttl can also be associated with the token. If a ttl is not associated with the
token, then it cannot be renewed. If a ttl is associated with the token, it will
expire after that amount of time unless it is renewed.

Metadata associated with the token (specified with `-metadata`) is written to
the audit log when the token is used.

If a role is specified, the role may override parameters specified here.

## Examples

Create a token attached to specific policies:

```shell-session
$ vault token create -policy=my-policy -policy=other-policy
Key                Value
---                -----
token              95eba8ed-f6fc-958a-f490-c7fd0eda5e9e
token_accessor     882d4a40-3796-d06e-c4f0-604e8503750b
token_duration     768h
token_renewable    true
token_policies     [default my-policy other-policy]
```

Create a periodic token:

```shell-session
$ vault token create -period=30m
Key                Value
---                -----
token              fdb90d58-af87-024f-fdcd-9f95039e353a
token_accessor     4cd9177c-034b-a004-c62d-54bc56c0e9bd
token_duration     30m
token_renewable    true
token_policies     [my-policy]
```

## Usage

The following flags are available in addition to the [standard set of
flags](/vault/docs/commands) included on all commands.

### Output Options

- `-field` `(string: "")` - Print only the field with the given name. Specifying
  this option will take precedence over other formatting directives. The result
  will not have a trailing newline making it ideal for piping to other processes.

- `-format` `(string: "table")` - Print the output in the given format. Valid
  formats are "table", "json", or "yaml". This can also be specified via the
  `VAULT_FORMAT` environment variable.

### Command Options

- `-display-name` `(string: "")` - Name to associate with this token. This is a
  non-sensitive value that can be used to help identify created secrets (e.g.
  prefixes).

- `-entity-alias`  `(string: "")` - Name of the entity alias to associate with
  during token creation. Only works in combination with -role argument and used
  entity alias must be listed in allowed_entity_aliases. If this has been
  specified, the entity will not be inherited from the parent.

- `-explicit-max-ttl` `(duration: "")` - Explicit maximum lifetime for the
  token. Unlike normal TTLs, the maximum TTL is a hard limit and cannot be
  exceeded. Uses [duration format strings](/vault/docs/concepts/duration-format).

- `-id` `(string: "")` - Value for the token. By default, this is an
  auto-generated value. Specifying this value requires sudo permissions.

- `-metadata` `(k=v: "")` - Arbitrary key=value metadata to associate with the
  token. This metadata will show in the audit log when the token is used. This
  can be specified multiple times to add multiple pieces of metadata.

- `-no-default-policy` `(bool: false)` - Detach the "default" policy from the
  policy set for this token.

- `-orphan` `(bool: false)` - Create the token with no parent. This prevents the
  token from being revoked when the token which created it expires. Setting this
  value requires sudo permissions.

- `-period` `(duration: "")` - If specified, every renewal will use the given
  period. Periodic tokens do not expire as long as they are actively being
  renewed (unless `-explicit-max-ttl` is also provided). Setting this value
  requires sudo permissions. Uses [duration format strings](/vault/docs/concepts/duration-format).

- `-policy` `(string: "")` - Name of a policy to associate with this token. This
  can be specified multiple times to attach multiple policies.

- `-renewable` `(bool: true)` - Allow the token to be renewed up to it's maximum
  TTL.

- `-role` `(string: "")` - Name of the role to create the token against.
  Specifying -role may override other arguments. The locally authenticated Vault
  token must have permission for `auth/token/create/<role>`.

- `-ttl` `(duration: "")` - Initial TTL to associate with the token. Token
  renewals may be able to extend beyond this value, depending on the configured
  maximumTTLs. Uses [duration format strings](/vault/docs/concepts/duration-format).

- `-type` `(string: "service")` - The type of token to create. Can be "service" or "batch".

- `-use-limit` `(int: 0)` - Number of times this token can be used. After the
  last use, the token is automatically revoked. By default, tokens can be used
  an unlimited number of times until their expiration.
