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Configuration File Location

The copr-cli configuration file is located at: 
~/.config/copr
You can override this location using the --config flag: 
copr-cli --config /path/to/config list

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Obtaining API Token

To use copr-cli, you need an API token from the Copr service.

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For Fedora Copr

  1. Visit https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/api/
  2. Log in with your Fedora Account
  3. Copy the configuration snippet provided on the page
  4. Save it to ~/.config/copr

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For Custom Copr Instance

  1. Visit https://YOUR.COPR.URL/api/
  2. Log in to your account
  3. Copy the configuration snippet
  4. Save it to ~/.config/copr or a custom location

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Configuration Format

The configuration file uses INI format:
~/.config/copr
[copr-cli]
username = msuchy
login = Y57wcg==##fkfaxbkjhuoiebfafadl
token = vbfseelqdebzedukgombekmuvbkqwo
copr_url = https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org
# expiration date: 2026-01-01
Be aware that API tokens have an expiration date! You’ll need to regenerate them periodically.

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Configuration Parameters

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username
string
required
Your Copr username
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login
string
required
Base64-encoded login credential from the API page
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token
string
required
API token for authentication
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copr_url
string
required
URL of the Copr instance (default: https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org)

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Setting Up Configuration

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Create Configuration Directory

# Create config directory if it doesn't exist
mkdir -p ~/.config

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Copy Configuration

# Visit the API page and copy the config
# Then save it to the config file
cat > ~/.config/copr << 'EOF'
[copr-cli]
username = your_username
login = your_login_token
token = your_api_token
copr_url = https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org
EOF

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Set File Permissions

# Protect your API token
chmod 600 ~/.config/copr

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Verifying Configuration

Test that your configuration is working: 
# Check your authenticated username
copr-cli whoami
Expected output: 
your_username
If you see your username, the configuration is correct!

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Authentication Methods

copr-cli supports two authentication methods:

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1. Token-Based Authentication (Default)

Uses the login and token values from the configuration file. Advantages:
  • Simple to set up
  • Works on all systems
  • Doesn’t require additional packages
Configuration: 
[copr-cli]
username = your_username
login = your_login_token
token = your_api_token
copr_url = https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org

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2. GSSAPI/Kerberos Authentication

Uses Kerberos tickets for authentication (enabled by default for Fedora Copr). Advantages:
  • No API token expiration
  • Single sign-on with Fedora Account
  • More secure for enterprise environments
Setup for Fedora Copr: 
# Install required packages
sudo dnf install krb5-workstation

# Obtain Kerberos ticket
fkinit
# Enter your password and OTP concatenated
Enter OTP Token Value: <your password + OTP token>
Minimal Configuration: 
[copr-cli]
copr_url = https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org
# GSSAPI is enabled by default
For Custom Kerberos Realms: 
kinit [email protected]

[copr-cli]
copr_url = https://copr.example.com/
gssapi = True

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Regenerating API Token

API tokens expire periodically. To generate a new token:

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Method 1: Using Web Interface

  1. Visit the API page: https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/api/
  2. Click “Regenerate token”
  3. Copy the new configuration to ~/.config/copr

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Method 2: Using CLI

# Regenerate and update token automatically
copr-cli new-api-token
Output: 
New API token was updated in /home/user/.config/copr.
The new-api-token command destroys your old token! Any other applications using the old token will stop working.

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Multiple Copr Instances

If you work with multiple Copr instances, create separate configuration files: 
# Fedora Copr (default)
~/.config/copr

# Custom instance
~/.config/copr-custom
Use shell aliases for convenience: 
# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
alias copr='copr-cli --config ~/.config/copr'
alias copr-custom='copr-cli --config ~/.config/copr-custom'
Or use the --config flag: 
copr-cli --config ~/.config/copr-custom list

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Advanced Configuration Options

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Disable GSSAPI

If you want to disable GSSAPI and force token authentication: 
[copr-cli]
username = your_username
login = your_login_token
token = your_api_token
copr_url = https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org
gssapi = False

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Connection Retries

The CLI automatically retries failed connections 3 times. This is hardcoded and cannot be changed via configuration.

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Debug Mode

Enable debug output without modifying the config: 
copr-cli --debug build myproject package.src.rpm

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Disable Colors

Disable colored output: 
copr-cli --no-color status 12345

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Troubleshooting

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Error: Configuration file not found

# Create the configuration file
mkdir -p ~/.config
cat > ~/.config/copr << 'EOF'
[copr-cli]
username = your_username
login = your_login_token
token = your_api_token
copr_url = https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org
EOF

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Error: Authentication failed

  1. Check that your token hasn’t expired
  2. Regenerate your token: copr-cli new-api-token
  3. Or visit https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/api/ and copy new credentials

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Error: Permission denied

# Fix file permissions
chmod 600 ~/.config/copr

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Error: Can’t detect who you are

This means authentication is not configured properly:
  1. Ensure username is set in config, OR
  2. Enable GSSAPI and obtain Kerberos ticket, OR
  3. Use full project names with owner/project format

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Exit Status Codes

copr-cli returns different exit codes based on the result:
CodeMeaning
0Success
1Bad request (wrong project name, insufficient rights, etc.)
2Wrong arguments
3General error
4Build failed or was canceled
5Communication error with server
6Configuration error
7Authentication failed

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Next Steps

Now that you’ve configured copr-cli:

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