>

Encode Text With ROT13

Apply the classic 13-letter rotation used to hide spoilers and puzzle answers.

LinuxTerminalscriptingsecurityLow risk
Run echo "hello world" | rot13 to print the ROT13-encoded text.

01Command

Command
$ echo "hello world" | rot13

02What it does

ROT13 shifts each letter by thirteen places, and because the alphabet is 26 letters, applying it twice restores the original text. It is not encryption and offers no security, but it remains a standard way to hide puzzle answers and joke punchlines. The binary is part of bsdgames.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementssudo apt install bsdgames
!Warning: ROT13 is trivially reversible and must never be used to protect real secrets.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • Debian package: bsdgames
    Debian · vendor-doc · 2026-09-20
    Evidence: Installs bsdgames, which includes the rot13 Caesar-cipher filter.
  • rot13(6) — Debian manpage
    Debian · technical · 2026-09-20
    Evidence: rot13 is the Caesar cipher alias that applies a fixed 13-letter rotation.

Last verified: 2026-09-20 · Category: Developer

06Related solutions

Create an SSH key pair with ssh-keygen (Ed25519)
LinuxTerminaldevelopersecurity

Generate a modern Ed25519 public/private key pair in ~/.ssh for authenticating to servers and Git platforms without passwords.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17
Change file permissions with chmod
LinuxFilesTerminalsecurity

Add or remove read, write, and execute permission for the owner, group, or others using symbolic or octal modes.

Medium risk ✓ 2026-09-17
Update and upgrade packages on Debian/Ubuntu with apt
LinuxsystemTerminal

Refresh the package index from all configured repositories, then install newer versions of every upgradable package.

Medium risk ✓ 2026-09-17