pdfcpu
Open-source Go library and command-line tool for PDF processing and validation.
Open the official app on pdfcpu.io
This tool is hosted by its maintainers. Click below to open pdfcpu.io in a new tab — it's their official demo.
Browse pdf & tools tools →What's next with pdfcpu?
Choose how you want to get started.
Use it free
Open the official tool or demo — no account needed.
Self-host it
Run the open-source version on your own infrastructure.
What is pdfcpu?
pdfcpu is an open-source PDF processing library and command-line tool written in Go, designed for developers and organizations needing to manipulate PDF documents programmatically. Its primary purpose is to handle tasks such as validation, optimization, encryption, and signing of PDF files, ensuring they meet technical standards or security requirements. The tool is particularly useful for developers integrating PDF functionality into applications or for teams managing large volumes of PDFs requiring automation. It addresses challenges like ensuring PDF compliance, reducing file sizes, securing sensitive content, and verifying document integrity. By providing a, extensible framework, pdfcpu streamlines workflows that would otherwise require multiple specialized tools or manual intervention.
How it works
pdfcpu is a Go-based library and CLI tool that enables programmatic manipulation of PDF documents. It provides a suite of functions for tasks such as validating PDF structure, optimizing file size, and applying cryptographic protections. The tool is ideal for developers building applications that require PDF processing capabilities, as well as for system administrators managing document workflows. Its modular design allows integration into existing systems or use as a standalone utility. pdfcpu supports PDF validation to ensure compliance with ISO 32000 standards, optimization to reduce file size through stream compression, and encryption with AES-128 or AES-256 algorithms. It also enables digital signing for non-repudiation and supports certificate-based authentication.
How to use it
- 1Install Go and clone the pdfcpu repository from GitHub. 2. Build the tool using 'go build' or use precompiled binaries. 3. Run commands like 'pdfcpu validate file.pdf' to check compliance. 4. Use 'pdfcpu encrypt -pwd=secret file.pdf' to secure a document. 5. Combine multiple files with 'pdfcpu merge -o output.pdf file1.pdf file2.pdf'. Practical tips: Use the '-v' flag for verbose output during troubleshooting. Refer to the 'pdfcpu --help' command for available subcommands. For enterprise use, consider deploying via Docker or integrating with Go projects via the library API.
What it can do
- pdf processing library
Use cases
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- source: https://github.com/pdfcpu/pdfcpu
- license: Apache-2.0 — free to use
- privacy: Self-hosted — you control your data
Limitations
- Lacks a graphical user interface (GUI) for non-technical users
- Limited support for advanced PDF features like form fields or annotations
- Requires Go installation, which may be a barrier for some users
- No built-in cloud integration for direct file processing
- May struggle with heavily customized or malformed PDFs
Understanding the result
Open-source Go library and command-line tool for PDF processing and validation.
Tool details
- Clearly flagged when a network request is needed.
- No account, no sign-up, and no tracking of your content.
- Powered by (Apache-2.0).
- Built with
- (pdfcpu/pdfcpu)
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Runs locally
- No — requires a network request
- Verification
- Not yet verified
- Input
- Query
- Output
- Text
Built with pdfcpu/pdfcpu. OpenToolVault provides the discovery and browser interface while crediting the original project maintainers.
- Built with
- License
- Apache-2.0
Open-source project
OpenToolVault is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this project.
References
- / — GitHub Repository
Upstream project · GitHub
- Apache-2.0 License
Upstream project
Frequently asked
How do I install pdfcpu?
Install Go from https://golang.org/dl/ and clone the repository with 'git clone https://github.com/pdfcpu/pdfcpu'. Build the tool using 'go build' or download precompiled binaries from the releases page. Alternatively, use Docker via 'docker run pdfcpu/pdfcpu' for containerized deployment.
How does pdfcpu handle PDF encryption?
pdfcpu implements AES-128 and AES-256 encryption using PDF 1.5+ standards. When encrypting, it applies permissions controls (e.g., printing, editing) and stores the encryption key in the PDF trailer. The tool supports both RC4 and AES algorithms, with AES being the default for stronger security.
How do I sign a PDF with pdfcpu?
Use the 'sign' subcommand with a certificate file: 'pdfcpu sign -cert=certificate.pem -pwd=secret file.pdf'. The tool generates a digital signature using the certificate's private key, embeds it in the PDF metadata, and verifies the signature's validity against the certificate chain.
How does pdfcpu compare to pdftk or Adobe Acrobat?
Unlike pdftk (which is scriptable but lacks modern encryption), pdfcpu offers full compliance with PDF 1.7 standards and AES-256 encryption. Compared to Adobe Acrobat, it provides a lightweight, open-source alternative with no GUI overhead, though it lacks advanced layout editing features.
What should I do if pdfcpu reports a validation error?
Check the error message for specific issues like missing cross-reference tables or invalid object streams. Use the 'validate -v' flag for detailed diagnostics. If the PDF is corrupted, try repairing it with 'pdfcpu repair' or re-exporting it from the original source application.