Base64 Tools Skill

Encode and decode data using Base64 encoding.

When to Use

✅ USE this skill when:

• "Encode this to base64"

• "Decode this base64"

• "Convert file to base64"

• "Decode base64 to file"

• "URL-safe base64 encoding"

When NOT to Use

❌ DON'T use this skill when:

• Cryptographic operations ΓåÆ use encryption tools

• Hash/generate signature ΓåÆ use hash-tools

• Compress data ΓåÆ use compression tools

Commands

Encode String

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode "Hello World" {baseDir}/base64.sh encode "Hello World" --url-safe {baseDir}/base64.sh encode --string "Hello World"

Decode String

{baseDir}/base64.sh decode "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ=" {baseDir}/base64.sh decode "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ" --url-safe {baseDir}/base64.sh decode --string "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ="

Encode File

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode --file image.png {baseDir}/base64.sh encode --file document.pdf --output encoded.txt

Decode to File

{baseDir}/base64.sh decode --string "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ=" --output output.txt {baseDir}/base64.sh decode --file encoded.txt --output original.png

From Stdin

echo "Hello World" | {baseDir}/base64.sh encode cat file.txt | {baseDir}/base64.sh encode --output encoded.txt

Check if Valid Base64

{baseDir}/base64.sh validate "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ=" {baseDir}/base64.sh validate "not-valid-base64!"

Options

Option Description Default

--url-safe

Use URL-safe variant (-_ instead of +/) false

--file FILE

Read from/write to file stdin/stdout

--string STR

Direct string input None

--output FILE

Output to file stdout

--wrap COLS

Wrap encoded output at N columns 76

--no-wrap

Don't wrap encoded output false

--ignore-garbage

Ignore non-base64 characters false

--validate

Just validate, don't decode false

--json

Output as JSON false

URL-Safe Base64

Standard Base64 uses + and / which aren't URL-safe. The URL-safe variant replaces:

→ -

• / ΓåÆ _

• Removes padding =

Standard: SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ/==

URL-safe: SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ_

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode "Hello?" --url-safe

Examples

Encode a string:

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode "Hello World"

SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ=

Decode a string:

{baseDir}/base64.sh decode "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ="

Hello World

Encode a file:

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode --file image.png

iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAA...

Decode to file:

{baseDir}/base64.sh decode --file encoded.txt --output image.png

URL-safe encoding:

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode "user@example.com" --url-safe

dXNlckBleGFtcGxlLmNvbQ

Validate base64:

{baseDir}/base64.sh validate "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ="

Valid base64

JSON output:

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode "Hello" --json

{"input": "Hello", "encoded": "SGVsbG8="}

Encode from stdin:

echo "secret data" | {baseDir}/base64.sh encode

c2VjcmV0IGRhdGE=

Use Cases

Embed images in HTML/CSS:

ENCODED=$({baseDir}/base64.sh encode --file logo.png --no-wrap) echo "background: url('data:image/png;base64,$ENCODED');"

Store binary in JSON:

Encode binary file to base64, store in JSON field

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode --file binary.dat --json

API authentication:

Create Basic Auth header

CREDS="user:pass" ENCODED=$({baseDir}/base64.sh encode "$CREDS") echo "Authorization: Basic $ENCODED"

Data URLs:

Create data URL for image

{baseDir}/base64.sh encode --file icon.svg --output - |
sed 's/^/data:image/svg+xml;base64,/'

Exit Codes

• 0: Success

• 1: Invalid base64 input (decode mode)

• 2: File not found

• 3: Permission denied

Notes

• Uses built-in base64 command (available on most systems)

• Wraps at 76 columns by default (MIME standard)

• Use --no-wrap for single-line output

• Binary files are handled correctly

• URL-safe encoding follows RFC 4648