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1st chunk of `content/manuals/desktop/setup/sign-in.md`
54066bcd4264b3c01e4e2f2607e1e1fa7fad795a9b41bed00000000100000dae
---
description: Explore the Learning center and understand the benefits of signing in
  to Docker Desktop
keywords: Docker Dashboard, manage, containers, gui, dashboard, images, user manual,
  learning center, guide, sign in
title: Sign in to Docker Desktop
linkTitle: Sign in
weight: 40
aliases:
- /desktop/linux/
- /desktop/linux/index/
- /desktop/mac/
- /desktop/mac/index/
- /desktop/windows/
- /desktop/windows/index/
- /docker-for-mac/
- /docker-for-mac/index/
- /docker-for-mac/osx/
- /docker-for-mac/started/
- /docker-for-windows/
- /docker-for-windows/index/
- /docker-for-windows/started/
- /mac/
- /mackit/
- /mackit/getting-started/
- /win/
- /windows/
- /winkit/
- /winkit/getting-started/
- /desktop/get-started/
---

Docker recommends signing in with the **Sign in** option in the top-right corner of the Docker Dashboard. 

In large enterprises where admin access is restricted, administrators can [enforce sign-in](/manuals/security/for-admins/enforce-sign-in/_index.md). 

> [!TIP]
>
> Explore [Docker's core subscriptions](https://www.docker.com/pricing/) to see what else Docker can offer you. 

## Benefits of signing in

- Access your Docker Hub repositories directly from Docker Desktop.

- Increase your pull rate limit compared to anonymous users. See [Usage and limits](/manuals/docker-hub/usage/_index.md).

- Enhance your organization’s security posture for containerized development with [Hardened Desktop](/manuals/security/for-admins/hardened-desktop/_index.md).

> [!NOTE]
>
> Docker Desktop automatically signs you out after 90 days, or after 30 days of inactivity. 

## Signing in with Docker Desktop for Linux

Docker Desktop for Linux relies on [`pass`](https://www.passwordstore.org/) to store credentials in GPG-encrypted files.
Before signing in to Docker Desktop with your [Docker ID](/accounts/create-account/), you must initialize `pass`.
Docker Desktop displays a warning if `pass` is not configured.

1. Generate a GPG key. You can initialize pass by using a gpg key. To generate a gpg key, run:

   ``` console
   $ gpg --generate-key
   ``` 
2. Enter your name and email once prompted. 

   Once confirmed, GPG creates a key pair. Look for the `pub` line that contains your GPG ID, for example:

   ```text
   ...
   pubrsa3072 2022-03-31 [SC] [expires: 2024-03-30]
    3ABCD1234EF56G78
   uid          Molly <molly@example.com>
   ```
3. Copy the GPG ID and use it to initialize `pass`

   ```console
   $ pass init <your_generated_gpg-id_public_key>
   ``` 

   You should see output similar to: 

   ```text
   mkdir: created directory '/home/molly/.password-store/'
   Password store initialized for <generated_gpg-id_public_key>
   ```

Once you initialize `pass`, you can sign in and pull your private images.
When Docker CLI or Docker Desktop use credentials, a user prompt may pop up for the password you set during the GPG key generation.

```console
$ docker pull molly/privateimage
Using default tag: latest
latest: Pulling from molly/privateimage
3b9cc81c3203: Pull complete 
Digest: sha256:3c6b73ce467f04d4897d7a7439782721fd28ec9bf62ea2ad9e81a5fb7fb3ff96
Status: Downloaded newer image for molly/privateimage:latest
docker.io/molly/privateimage:latest
```

## What's next?

- [Explore Docker Desktop](/manuals/desktop/use-desktop/_index.md) and its features. 
- Change your [Docker Desktop settings](/manuals/desktop/settings-and-maintenance/settings.md).
- [Browse common FAQs](/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/general.md).
Title: Signing In to Docker Desktop
Summary
Docker recommends signing in to Docker Desktop for benefits like accessing Docker Hub repositories, increasing pull rate limits, and enhancing security. The document outlines the process for signing in, including specific instructions for Linux users who need to initialize `pass` for credential storage.