secret list gives each secret's own creation and last-update times (closes #142)

secret list and secret list --json gave the time of the listing as every
secret's creation and last-update time, because Secret.LoadMetadata set
both to the current time. It now reads file modification times, so
listing still needs no passphrase: the last update is when the secret's
current file was written, and the creation is when its oldest version's
value.age was written. A move to another vault gives the copied files
the times of the originals.

GetSecretObject no longer loads the times, so secret get keeps its error
for a missing current file; secret list calls LoadMetadata itself.

Judgement call: the creation time comes from value.age, not from the
oldest version's directory, whose time changes when the next add
rewrites that version's metadata.age.

Model: opus-5-5

README.md

@@ -150,6 +150,13 @@ Retrieves and outputs a secret value to stdout.
 
 Lists all secrets in the current vault. Optional filter for substring matching.
 
+The `LAST UPDATED` column, and `updated_at` in the `--json` output, give the
+time the secret's `current` file was last written: every command that adds a
+version replaces it, and so does `secret version promote`. `created_at` gives
+the time the `value.age` of the secret's oldest version was written. Both are
+the files' modification times, so listing asks for no passphrase. Moving a
+secret to another vault keeps both times.
+
 #### `secret remove <secret-name> [--force]` / `secret rm` ⚠️ 🛑
 
 **DANGER**: Permanently removes a secret and ALL its versions. It first asks for
@@ -181,7 +188,9 @@ period.
 #### `secret version promote <secret-name> <version>`
 
 Promotes a specific version to current by rewriting the secret's `current` file
-to name it. Does not modify any timestamps, allowing for rollback scenarios.
+to name it. The versions' own times are left unchanged, allowing for rollback
+scenarios; `secret list` then gives the time of the promote as the secret's last
+update.
 
 #### `secret version remove <secret-name> <version> [--force]` / `secret version rm` ⚠️ 🛑
 
@@ -197,7 +206,8 @@ for confirmation, naming the version, the secret and its vault (see
 
 #### `secret generate mnemonic`
 
-Generates a cryptographically secure BIP39 mnemonic phrase.
+Generates a cryptographically secure BIP39 mnemonic phrase and prints it to
+stdout. The warning to keep it safe goes to stderr.
 
 #### `secret generate secret <name> [--length=16] [--type=base58] [--force]`
 
@@ -241,6 +251,14 @@ that the vault then opens only with its mnemonic (see
 [Confirmation Before Removal](#confirmation-before-removal)). An unlocker
 directory that `secret unlocker list` skips with a warning, because its metadata
 cannot be read or parsed, is removed by the directory name the warning gives.
+Removing the current unlocker makes the first of the vault's other unlockers
+that `secret unlocker select` accepts, in the order `secret unlocker list` shows
+them, the current one, and says which; when there is none, the vault is left
+without a current unlocker. `secret unlocker select` refuses an unlocker whose
+type is not `passphrase` or `pgp`. When `current-unlocker` names an unlocker
+that does not exist and the vault has another that `secret unlocker select`
+accepts, opening the vault fails with an error that says to select one with
+`secret unlocker select`.
 
 - `--force, -f`: Remove without asking, even the last unlocker
 - **CRITICAL WARNING**: Without unlockers and without your mnemonic phrase,

TODO.md

@@ -18,6 +18,38 @@ https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/secret/milestone/12
 
 # Completed Steps
 
+- 2026-10-14: `secret list` gives each secret's own creation and last-update
+  times (https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/secret/issues/142). It gave the time of the
+  listing for both, which `Secret.LoadMetadata` set to the current time.
+  `LoadMetadata` now reads file modification times, so listing still needs no
+  passphrase: the last update is when the secret's `current` file was written,
+  and the creation is when its oldest version's `value.age` was written. That
+  version's directory would be wrong, because the next add rewrites the
+  version's `metadata.age` in it. `GetSecretObject`, which `secret get` also
+  uses, no longer loads the times; `secret list` loads them itself. A move to
+  another vault gives each copied `value.age` and `current` the modification
+  time of the file it was copied from, so the moved secret keeps its times.
+- 2026-10-14: `secret generate mnemonic`, `secret vault list` and
+  `secret unlocker list` print their output to stdout, as `secret list` does, so
+  it can be piped or captured (https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/secret/issues/138).
+  They printed with cobra's `cmd.Println` and `cmd.Printf`, which write to
+  stderr when no output writer is set, so `secret vault list --json | jq`
+  received nothing. "No versions found" from `secret version list` moved to
+  stdout too. Messages such as "Created vault", and the warning after the
+  mnemonic, stay on stderr.
+- 2026-10-14: Removing the current unlocker no longer leaves the vault unable to
+  open through the unlockers it still has
+  (https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/secret/issues/137). `current-unlocker` went on
+  naming the removed unlocker, so every command that opened the vault failed,
+  with advice to use the mnemonic. `secret unlocker remove` of the current
+  unlocker now makes the first of the vault's other unlockers that
+  `secret unlocker select` accepts, in the order `secret unlocker list` shows,
+  current before removing it, and says so; when there is none, it also removes
+  `current-unlocker`. `vault.RemoveUnlocker` returns the ID of the unlocker it
+  made current. When `current-unlocker` names an unlocker that does not exist
+  and the vault has another that `secret unlocker select` accepts, the error
+  wraps `vault.ErrUnlockerNotFound` and says to run `secret unlocker select`,
+  without the advice to use the mnemonic.
 - 2026-10-14: A `secret add --force` that cannot unlock the vault, given a wrong
   passphrase or mnemonic, leaves the secret as it was
   (https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/secret/issues/136). The new version used to be

internal/cli/generate.go

@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func (cli *Instance) GenerateMnemonic(cmd *cobra.Command) error {
 	}
 
 	// Output mnemonic to stdout
-	cmd.Println(mnemonic)
+	_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(cmd.OutOrStdout(), mnemonic)
 
 	// Output helpful information to stderr
 	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "")

internal/cli/list_times_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+package cli_test
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/awnumar/memguard"
+	"github.com/spf13/afero"
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/secret/internal/cli"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/secret/internal/secret"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/secret/internal/vault"
+)
+
+const (
+	// listClockStep is how long TestListShowsWhenSecretWasWritten waits
+	// between its steps, so that a time read in one step cannot be the
+	// time read in the next.
+	listClockStep = 200 * time.Millisecond
+
+	// fileTimeSlack allows for the clock the kernel stamps files with,
+	// which advances only every few milliseconds: a file's modification
+	// time can be slightly earlier than a time.Now() read before the file
+	// was written.
+	fileTimeSlack = 100 * time.Millisecond
+)
+
+// TestListShowsWhenSecretWasWritten is a regression test for
+// https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/secret/issues/142, where `secret list` gave
+// the time of the listing as every secret's creation and last-update time.
+// Two listings with a clock step between must be the same, and give the
+// time of the add; after a forced add, the creation time is unchanged and
+// the last update is the time of that add. It runs on a real filesystem,
+// where writing a file into a directory also changes the directory's time.
+func TestListShowsWhenSecretWasWritten(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	fs := afero.NewOsFs()
+	stateDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	vlt, err := vault.CreateVault(fs, stateDir, "default", testMnemonicBuffer(t), nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	vlt.Mnemonic = testMnemonicBuffer(t)
+	c := cli.NewCLIInstanceWithStateDir(fs, stateDir)
+
+	beforeAdd := time.Now()
+	err = vlt.AddSecret("x", memguard.NewBufferFromBytes([]byte("one")), false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	afterAdd := time.Now()
+
+	firstListing := listSecrets(t, c, true)
+
+	time.Sleep(listClockStep)
+	require.Equal(t, firstListing, listSecrets(t, c, true))
+
+	added := listedTimes(t, firstListing)
+	assert.WithinRange(t, added.CreatedAt, beforeAdd.Add(-fileTimeSlack), afterAdd)
+	assert.WithinRange(t, added.UpdatedAt, beforeAdd.Add(-fileTimeSlack), afterAdd)
+
+	time.Sleep(listClockStep)
+
+	beforeUpdate := time.Now()
+	err = vlt.AddSecret("x", memguard.NewBufferFromBytes([]byte("two")), true)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	afterUpdate := time.Now()
+
+	updated := listedTimes(t, listSecrets(t, c, true))
+	assert.True(t, added.CreatedAt.Equal(updated.CreatedAt),
+		"created %s, then %s", added.CreatedAt, updated.CreatedAt)
+	assert.WithinRange(t, updated.UpdatedAt,
+		beforeUpdate.Add(-fileTimeSlack), afterUpdate)
+
+	// The table's LAST UPDATED column gives the same time, to the minute
+	assert.Contains(t, listSecrets(t, c, false),
+		updated.UpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"))
+}
+
+// TestMovedSecretKeepsItsTimes checks that a secret moved to another vault
+// is listed there with the times it was listed with before the move, and
+// not with the time of the move.
+func TestMovedSecretKeepsItsTimes(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	fs := afero.NewOsFs()
+	stateDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	_, err := vault.CreateVault(fs, stateDir, "other", testMnemonicBuffer(t), nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// "default" is created last, so it is the current vault
+	vlt, err := vault.CreateVault(fs, stateDir, "default", testMnemonicBuffer(t), nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	vlt.Mnemonic = testMnemonicBuffer(t)
+
+	// Two versions written apart, so that the creation and the last update
+	// are different times
+	err = vlt.AddSecret("x", memguard.NewBufferFromBytes([]byte("one")), false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	time.Sleep(listClockStep)
+
+	err = vlt.AddSecret("x", memguard.NewBufferFromBytes([]byte("two")), true)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	c := cli.NewCLIInstanceWithStateDir(fs, stateDir)
+	c.Mnemonic = testMnemonicBuffer(t)
+	beforeMove := listedTimes(t, listSecrets(t, c, true))
+
+	time.Sleep(listClockStep)
+	require.NoError(t, c.MoveSecret(&cobra.Command{}, "default:x", "other", false))
+	require.NoError(t, vault.SelectVault(fs, stateDir, "other"))
+
+	afterMove := listedTimes(t, listSecrets(t, c, true))
+	assert.True(t, beforeMove.CreatedAt.Equal(afterMove.CreatedAt),
+		"created %s, then %s", beforeMove.CreatedAt, afterMove.CreatedAt)
+	assert.True(t, beforeMove.UpdatedAt.Equal(afterMove.UpdatedAt),
+		"updated %s, then %s", beforeMove.UpdatedAt, afterMove.UpdatedAt)
+}
+
+// listSecrets returns the output of `secret list`, or of
+// `secret list --json` when jsonOutput is set.
+func listSecrets(t *testing.T, c *cli.Instance, jsonOutput bool) string {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+
+	cmd := &cobra.Command{}
+	cmd.SetOut(&out)
+	require.NoError(t, c.ListSecrets(cmd, jsonOutput, false, ""))
+
+	return out.String()
+}
+
+// listedTimes returns the times that the output of `secret list --json`
+// gives for the one secret in the vault.
+func listedTimes(t *testing.T, listing string) secret.Metadata {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	var parsed struct {
+		Secrets []map[string]string `json:"secrets"`
+	}
+
+	require.NoError(t, json.Unmarshal([]byte(listing), &parsed))
+	require.Len(t, parsed.Secrets, 1)
+
+	createdAt, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339Nano, parsed.Secrets[0]["created_at"])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	updatedAt, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339Nano, parsed.Secrets[0]["updated_at"])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	return secret.Metadata{CreatedAt: createdAt, UpdatedAt: updatedAt}
+}

internal/cli/secrets.go

@@ -541,8 +541,12 @@ func printSecretsJSON(
 			"name": secretName,
 		}
 
-		// Try to get metadata using GetSecretObject
+		// A secret whose times cannot be read is listed without them
 		secretObj, err := vlt.GetSecretObject(secretName)
+		if err == nil {
+			err = secretObj.LoadMetadata()
+		}
+
 		if err == nil {
 			metadata := secretObj.GetMetadata()
 			secretInfo["created_at"] = metadata.CreatedAt
@@ -618,6 +622,10 @@ func printSecretsTable(
 		lastUpdated := "unknown"
 
 		secretObj, err := vlt.GetSecretObject(secretName)
+		if err == nil {
+			err = secretObj.LoadMetadata()
+		}
+
 		if err == nil {
 			metadata := secretObj.GetMetadata()
 			lastUpdated = metadata.UpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04")

internal/cli/stdout_stderr_test.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package cli_test
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/secret/internal/bip39"
 	"sneak.berlin/go/secret/internal/secret"
 )
 
@@ -90,3 +92,66 @@ func TestGetCommandOutputsToStdout(t *testing.T) {
 	// Nothing should be in stderr
 	assert.Empty(t, stderr.String(), "stderr should be empty")
 }
+
+// TestMnemonicAndListingsOutputToStdout tests that 'secret generate
+// mnemonic', 'secret vault list' and 'secret unlocker list' print their
+// output to stdout, so that it can be piped
+func TestMnemonicAndListingsOutputToStdout(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	secretPath := secretBinaryPath(t)
+
+	// run runs the secret binary and returns what it wrote to stdout and to
+	// stderr
+	run := func(args ...string) (string, string) {
+		//nolint:gosec // G204: test executes the freshly built secret binary
+		cmd := exec.CommandContext(t.Context(), secretPath, args...)
+		cmd.Env = []string{
+			secret.EnvStateDir + "=" + tempDir,
+			secret.EnvMnemonic + "=" + testMnemonic,
+			secret.EnvUnlockPassphrase + "=test-passphrase",
+			"PATH=/usr/bin:/bin",
+		}
+
+		var stdout, stderr bytes.Buffer
+
+		cmd.Stdout = &stdout
+		cmd.Stderr = &stderr
+
+		err := cmd.Run()
+		require.NoError(t, err, "%v should succeed: %s", args, stderr.String())
+
+		return stdout.String(), stderr.String()
+	}
+
+	stdout, stderr := run("generate", "mnemonic")
+	assert.True(t, bip39.IsMnemonicValid(strings.TrimSpace(stdout)),
+		"stdout should hold the mnemonic, not %q", stdout)
+	assert.Contains(t, stderr, "Save this mnemonic phrase securely",
+		"the warning should be on stderr")
+
+	run("init")
+
+	stdout, _ = run("vault", "list", "--json")
+
+	var vaults map[string]any
+
+	require.NoError(t, json.Unmarshal([]byte(stdout), &vaults),
+		"stdout should hold the vaults as JSON, not %q", stdout)
+	assert.Equal(t, "default", vaults["currentVault"])
+
+	stdout, _ = run("unlocker", "list", "--json")
+
+	var unlockers map[string]any
+
+	require.NoError(t, json.Unmarshal([]byte(stdout), &unlockers),
+		"stdout should hold the unlockers as JSON, not %q", stdout)
+	assert.Len(t, unlockers["unlockers"], 1)
+
+	stdout, _ = run("vault", "list")
+	assert.Contains(t, stdout, "default (current)")
+
+	stdout, _ = run("unlocker", "list")
+	assert.Contains(t, stdout, "Total: 1 unlocker(s)")
+}

internal/cli/unlock_failure_test.go

@@ -4,9 +4,11 @@
 // file the unlocker needs is missing or the passphrase is wrong, the error
 // keeps its cause and ends by saying that the mnemonic still opens that
 // vault, but only for a vault that the mnemonic does open, and not when the
-// passphrase could not be read at all. When a secret's current file is
-// missing, the error says how to make a version current again. Each test
-// that pins such advice also follows it.
+// passphrase could not be read at all. When the current unlocker does not
+// exist and the vault has another that `secret unlocker select` accepts, the
+// error says to select one instead.
+// When a secret's current file is missing, the error says how to make a
+// version current again. Each test that pins such advice also follows it.
 
 package cli_test
 
@@ -222,6 +224,69 @@ func TestMoveUnlockFailureNamesVault(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "value", getSecret(t, c, "y"))
 }
 
+// TestMissingCurrentUnlockerNamesSelect checks the error of `secret get`
+// when current-unlocker names an unlocker that does not exist and the vault
+// has another: it names the missing unlocker and says to select another
+// one, without the advice to use the mnemonic. The test then follows that
+// advice.
+func TestMissingCurrentUnlockerNamesSelect(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	fs := newTwoVaultFs(t)
+	unlockerDir, c := newUnlockTestCLI(t, fs)
+
+	require.NoError(t, afero.WriteFile(fs,
+		filepath.Join(unlockTestVaultDir, "current-unlocker"),
+		[]byte("missing"), secret.FilePerms))
+
+	err := c.GetSecret(discardCmd(), "x")
+
+	require.ErrorIs(t, err, vault.ErrUnlockerNotFound)
+	require.EqualError(t, err, "failed to unlock vault: "+
+		"failed to get long-term key: failed to get current unlocker: "+
+		"unlocker with ID missing not found; the vault 'default' has other "+
+		"unlockers: run 'secret unlocker select' with the ID of one of them "+
+		"to make it the current unlocker")
+
+	require.NoError(t, c.UnlockerSelect(filepath.Base(unlockerDir)))
+	assert.Equal(t, "value", getSecret(t, c, "x"))
+}
+
+// TestMissingCurrentUnlockerNamesMnemonic checks the error of `secret get`
+// when the unlocker that current-unlocker names does not exist and the
+// vault's only other unlocker is the directory "odd", whose metadata names a
+// type that `secret unlocker select` refuses: the error ends with the advice
+// that the mnemonic still opens the vault, not with advice to select another
+// unlocker. The test then follows that advice.
+func TestMissingCurrentUnlockerNamesMnemonic(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	fs := newTwoVaultFs(t)
+	unlockerDir, c := newUnlockTestCLI(t, fs)
+
+	require.NoError(t, fs.RemoveAll(unlockerDir))
+	require.NoError(t, afero.WriteFile(fs,
+		filepath.Join(unlockTestVaultDir, "unlockers.d", "odd",
+			"unlocker-metadata.json"),
+		[]byte(`{"type": "odd"}`), secret.FilePerms))
+
+	err := c.GetSecret(discardCmd(), "x")
+
+	var cause *os.PathError
+
+	require.ErrorAs(t, err, &cause)
+	require.NotErrorIs(t, err, vault.ErrUnlockerNotFound)
+	require.EqualError(t, err, "failed to unlock vault: "+
+		"failed to get long-term key: failed to get current unlocker: "+
+		"failed to read unlocker metadata: "+cause.Error()+mnemonicAdvice)
+
+	c.Mnemonic = testMnemonicBuffer(t)
+	require.NoError(t, c.UnlockersAdd("passphrase", discardCmd()))
+
+	c.Mnemonic = nil
+	assert.Equal(t, "value", getSecret(t, c, "x"))
+}
+
 // TestPassphraseNotReadNamesNoMnemonic runs `secret get x` on the built
 // binary without SB_UNLOCK_PASSPHRASE and with a stdin that is not a
 // terminal, so the passphrase cannot be read. The unlocker was not tried,

internal/cli/unlockers.go

@@ -222,8 +222,11 @@ func newUnlockerRemoveCmd() *cobra.Command {
 		Long: `Remove an unlocker from the current vault. Asks for ` +
 			`confirmation first, saying whether it is the vault's last ` +
 			`unlocker; when stdin is not a terminal, fails unless --force ` +
-			`is given. Warning: Without unlockers and without your ` +
-			`mnemonic, vault data will be permanently inaccessible.`,
+			`is given. Removing the current unlocker makes another of the ` +
+			`vault's unlockers current, if it has one that ` +
+			`'secret unlocker select' accepts. Warning: Without ` +
+			`unlockers and without your mnemonic, vault data will be ` +
+			`permanently inaccessible.`,
 		Args:              cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 		ValidArgsFunction: getUnlockerIDsCompletionFunc(cli.fs, cli.stateDir),
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
@@ -323,22 +326,25 @@ func (cli *Instance) printUnlockersJSON(
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal JSON: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	cli.cmd.Println(string(jsonBytes))
+	_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(cli.cmd.OutOrStdout(), string(jsonBytes))
 
 	return nil
 }
 
 // printUnlockersTable prints unlockers in a formatted table
 func (cli *Instance) printUnlockersTable(unlockers []UnlockerInfo) error {
+	out := cli.cmd.OutOrStdout()
+
 	if len(unlockers) == 0 {
-		cli.cmd.Println("No unlockers found in current vault.")
-		cli.cmd.Println("Run 'secret unlocker add passphrase' to create one.")
+		_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(out, "No unlockers found in current vault.")
+		_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(out, "Run 'secret unlocker add passphrase' to create one.")
 
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	cli.cmd.Printf("  %-40s %-12s %-20s %s\n", "UNLOCKER ID", "TYPE", "CREATED", "FLAGS")
-	cli.cmd.Printf("  %-40s %-12s %-20s %s\n",
+	_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(out, "  %-40s %-12s %-20s %s\n",
+		"UNLOCKER ID", "TYPE", "CREATED", "FLAGS")
+	_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(out, "  %-40s %-12s %-20s %s\n",
 		strings.Repeat("-", unlockerIDWidth), strings.Repeat("-", unlockerTypeWidth),
 		strings.Repeat("-", unlockerDateWidth), strings.Repeat("-", unlockerFlagsWidth))
 
@@ -353,7 +359,7 @@ func (cli *Instance) printUnlockersTable(unlockers []UnlockerInfo) error {
 			prefix = "* "
 		}
 
-		cli.cmd.Printf("%s%-40s %-12s %-20s %s\n",
+		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s%-40s %-12s %-20s %s\n",
 			prefix,
 			unlocker.ID,
 			unlocker.Type,
@@ -361,7 +367,7 @@ func (cli *Instance) printUnlockersTable(unlockers []UnlockerInfo) error {
 			flags)
 	}
 
-	cli.cmd.Printf("\nTotal: %d unlocker(s)\n", len(unlockers))
+	_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(out, "\nTotal: %d unlocker(s)\n", len(unlockers))
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -612,13 +618,17 @@ func (cli *Instance) removeUnlocker(
 			"have your mnemonic phrase to access this vault again!")
 	}
 
-	err := found.vlt.RemoveUnlocker(unlockerID)
+	newCurrentID, err := found.vlt.RemoveUnlocker(unlockerID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	cmd.Printf("Removed unlocker '%s'\n", unlockerID)
 
+	if newCurrentID != "" {
+		cmd.Printf("Switched current unlocker to '%s'\n", newCurrentID)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 

internal/cli/unlockers_remove_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+//nolint:testpackage // white-box test of unexported internals
+package cli
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/awnumar/memguard"
+	"github.com/spf13/afero"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/secret/internal/secret"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/secret/internal/vault"
+)
+
+// TestUnlockerRemoveCurrent is a regression test for
+// https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/secret/issues/137. A vault has a passphrase
+// unlocker and a PGP unlocker, the current one. Removing the PGP unlocker
+// makes the passphrase unlocker current and says so, and the vault then
+// opens through it. Removing the passphrase unlocker too removes
+// current-unlocker.
+//
+// The second case also gives the vault the unlocker directory "odd", whose
+// metadata names a type that `secret unlocker select` refuses, and which
+// sorts before the passphrase unlocker: neither removal makes it current.
+//
+//nolint:paralleltest // t.Setenv (GNUPGHOME) forbids parallel tests
+func TestUnlockerRemoveCurrent(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		withOdd bool
+	}{
+		{name: "two unlockers", withOdd: false},
+		{name: "and the directory odd", withOdd: true},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			newTestGPGKey(t)
+
+			passphrase := memguard.NewBufferFromBytes([]byte(testPassphrase))
+			t.Cleanup(passphrase.Destroy)
+
+			fs := afero.NewMemMapFs()
+			vlt, err := vault.CreateVault(fs, listTestStateDir,
+				listTestVaultName, testMnemonicBuffer(t), nil)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			passphraseUnlocker, err := vlt.CreatePassphraseUnlocker(passphrase)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			if tt.withOdd {
+				require.NoError(t, afero.WriteFile(fs,
+					filepath.Join(testVaultDir(listTestVaultName), "unlockers.d",
+						"odd", "unlocker-metadata.json"),
+					[]byte(`{"type": "odd"}`), secret.FilePerms))
+			}
+
+			instance, cmd := newTestInstance(fs)
+			instance.UnlockPassphrase = passphrase
+
+			cmd.Flags().String("keyid", unreadableTestGPGUserID, "")
+			require.NoError(t, instance.UnlockersAdd(unlockerTypePGP, cmd))
+
+			pgpUnlocker, err := vlt.GetCurrentUnlocker()
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			require.Equal(t, unlockerTypePGP, pgpUnlocker.GetType())
+
+			var output bytes.Buffer
+
+			cmd.SetOut(&output)
+			require.NoError(t,
+				instance.UnlockersRemove(pgpUnlocker.GetID(), true, cmd))
+			assert.Contains(t, output.String(),
+				"Switched current unlocker to '"+passphraseUnlocker.GetID()+"'")
+
+			reopened := vault.NewVault(fs, listTestStateDir, listTestVaultName)
+			reopened.UnlockPassphrase = passphrase
+
+			_, err = reopened.GetOrDeriveLongTermKey()
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			require.NoError(t,
+				instance.UnlockersRemove(passphraseUnlocker.GetID(), true, cmd))
+
+			exists, err := afero.Exists(fs, filepath.Join(
+				testVaultDir(listTestVaultName), "current-unlocker"))
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			assert.False(t, exists,
+				"current-unlocker is left after the passphrase unlocker")
+		})
+	}
+}

internal/cli/vault.go

@@ -186,6 +186,8 @@ func (cli *Instance) ListVaults(cmd *cobra.Command, jsonOutput bool) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	out := cmd.OutOrStdout()
+
 	if jsonOutput { //nolint:nestif // Separate JSON and text output formatting logic
 		// Get current vault name for context
 		currentVault := ""
@@ -205,13 +207,13 @@ func (cli *Instance) ListVaults(cmd *cobra.Command, jsonOutput bool) error {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		cmd.Println(string(jsonBytes))
+		_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(out, string(jsonBytes))
 	} else {
 		// Text output
-		cmd.Println("Available vaults:")
+		_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(out, "Available vaults:")
 
 		if len(vaults) == 0 {
-			cmd.Println("  (none)")
+			_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(out, "  (none)")
 		} else {
 			// Try to get current vault for marking
 			currentVault := ""
@@ -223,9 +225,9 @@ func (cli *Instance) ListVaults(cmd *cobra.Command, jsonOutput bool) error {
 
 			for _, vaultName := range vaults {
 				if vaultName == currentVault {
-					cmd.Printf("  %s (current)\n", vaultName)
+					_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(out, "  %s (current)\n", vaultName)
 				} else {
-					cmd.Printf("  %s\n", vaultName)
+					_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(out, "  %s\n", vaultName)
 				}
 			}
 		}

internal/cli/version.go

@@ -65,7 +65,9 @@ func VersionCommands(cli *Instance) *cobra.Command {
 		Use:   "promote <secret-name> <version>",
 		Short: "Promote a specific version to current",
 		Long: "Updates the current symlink to point to the specified " +
-			"version without modifying timestamps",
+			"version. The versions' own times are left unchanged; secret " +
+			"list then gives the time of the promote as the secret's last " +
+			"update.",
 		Args: cobra.ExactArgs(2), //nolint:mnd // secret-name and version args
 		ValidArgsFunction: func(
 			cmd *cobra.Command, args []string, toComplete string,
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ func (cli *Instance) ListVersions(cmd *cobra.Command, secretName string) error {
 	}
 
 	if len(versions) == 0 {
-		cmd.Println("No versions found")
+		_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(cmd.OutOrStdout(), "No versions found")
 
 		return nil
 	}

internal/secret/secret.go

@@ -2,10 +2,11 @@ package secret
 
 import (
 	"errors"
+	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
-	"time"
 
 	"filippo.io/age"
 	"github.com/awnumar/memguard"
@@ -66,31 +67,53 @@ func NewSecret(vault VaultInterface, name string) *Secret {
 		Name:      name,
 		Directory: secretDir,
 		vault:     vault,
-		Metadata: Metadata{
-			CreatedAt: time.Now(),
-			UpdatedAt: time.Now(),
-		},
 	}
 }
 
-// LoadMetadata is deprecated - metadata is now per-version and encrypted
+// LoadMetadata sets the secret's times from the modification times of its
+// files, which can be read without unlocking the vault. UpdatedAt is when
+// the secret's current file was last written, by an add or a promote.
+// CreatedAt is when its oldest version's value.age was written. That file
+// is never rewritten; the version's directory is no use, as its time
+// changes when the next add rewrites the version's metadata.age.
 func (s *Secret) LoadMetadata() error {
-	Debug("LoadMetadata called but is deprecated in versioned model",
-		"secret_name", s.Name)
-	// For backward compatibility, we'll populate with basic info
-	now := time.Now()
+	fs := s.vault.GetFilesystem()
+
+	current, err := fs.Stat(filepath.Join(s.Directory, "current"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read when secret %s was updated: %w",
+			s.Name, err)
+	}
+
+	versions, err := ListVersions(fs, s.Directory)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if len(versions) == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("secret %s has no versions: %w", s.Name, os.ErrNotExist)
+	}
+
+	// ListVersions lists the newest version first
+	oldest := versions[len(versions)-1]
+
+	value, err := fs.Stat(
+		filepath.Join(s.Directory, "versions", oldest, "value.age"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read when secret %s was created: %w",
+			s.Name, err)
+	}
+
 	s.Metadata = Metadata{
-		CreatedAt: now,
-		UpdatedAt: now,
+		CreatedAt: value.ModTime(),
+		UpdatedAt: current.ModTime(),
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
-// GetMetadata returns the secret metadata (deprecated)
+// GetMetadata returns the times LoadMetadata read
 func (s *Secret) GetMetadata() Metadata {
-	Debug("GetMetadata called but is deprecated in versioned model", "secret_name", s.Name)
-
 	return s.Metadata
 }
 

internal/vault/errors_test.go

@@ -81,7 +81,9 @@ func TestVaultErrors(t *testing.T) {
 			return vlt.CopySecretAllVersions(vlt, versionless, "copy", false)
 		}, vault.ErrNoVersions},
 		{"remove a missing unlocker", func(vlt *vault.Vault) error {
-			return vlt.RemoveUnlocker(missingName)
+			_, err := vlt.RemoveUnlocker(missingName)
+
+			return err
 		}, vault.ErrUnlockerNotFound},
 		{"select a missing unlocker", func(vlt *vault.Vault) error {
 			return vlt.SelectUnlocker(missingName)

internal/vault/secrets.go

@@ -427,7 +427,8 @@ func (v *Vault) UnlockVault() (*age.X25519Identity, error) {
 	return longTermIdentity, nil
 }
 
-// GetSecretObject retrieves a Secret object with metadata loaded from this vault
+// GetSecretObject retrieves a Secret object from this vault. Its times are
+// zero until its LoadMetadata reads them.
 func (v *Vault) GetSecretObject(name string) (*secret.Secret, error) {
 	err := ValidateSecretName(name)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -454,16 +455,7 @@ func (v *Vault) GetSecretObject(name string) (*secret.Secret, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("secret %s %w", name, ErrSecretNotFound)
 	}
 
-	// Create a Secret object
-	secretObj := secret.NewSecret(v, name)
-
-	// Load the metadata from disk
-	err = secretObj.LoadMetadata()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return secretObj, nil
+	return secret.NewSecret(v, name), nil
 }
 
 // CopySecretVersion copies a single version from source into destSecretDir
@@ -581,8 +573,8 @@ func (v *Vault) CopySecretAllVersions(
 	}
 
 	// Copy each version and the current pointer, then move the copy into place
-	err = v.copyVersions(srcVault, srcIdentity,
-		srcSecretName, destSecretName, destSecretDir, versions, currentVersion)
+	err = v.copyVersions(srcVault, srcIdentity, srcSecretName, srcSecretDir,
+		destSecretName, destSecretDir, versions, currentVersion)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -801,10 +793,13 @@ func (v *Vault) createAndSaveVersion(
 // pointer into a temporary directory, then moves that directory to
 // destSecretDir, replacing a secret already there. Nothing in this vault
 // changes until the copy is complete, so an interrupted copy leaves only a
-// temporary directory behind.
+// temporary directory behind. Each copied value.age and current file gets
+// the modification time of the file it was copied from, so `secret list`,
+// which reads a secret's times from them, lists the copy with the times of
+// the source.
 func (v *Vault) copyVersions(
 	srcVault *Vault, srcIdentity *age.X25519Identity,
-	srcSecretName, destSecretName, destSecretDir string,
+	srcSecretName, srcSecretDir, destSecretName, destSecretDir string,
 	versions []string, currentVersion string,
 ) error {
 	buildDir, err := secret.TempDirFor(v.fs, destSecretDir)
@@ -823,6 +818,14 @@ func (v *Vault) copyVersions(
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to copy version %s: %w", versionName, err)
 		}
+
+		valuePath := filepath.Join("versions", versionName, "value.age")
+
+		err = copyModTime(srcVault.fs, filepath.Join(srcSecretDir, valuePath),
+			v.fs, filepath.Join(buildDir, valuePath))
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 	}
 
 	err = secret.SetCurrentVersion(v.fs, buildDir, currentVersion)
@@ -830,6 +833,12 @@ func (v *Vault) copyVersions(
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to set current version: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	err = copyModTime(srcVault.fs, filepath.Join(srcSecretDir, "current"),
+		v.fs, filepath.Join(buildDir, "current"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// With --force, the secret being replaced goes only now that its
 	// replacement is complete
 	exists, err := afero.DirExists(v.fs, destSecretDir)
@@ -854,6 +863,26 @@ func (v *Vault) copyVersions(
 	return nil
 }
 
+// copyModTime gives destPath in destFs the modification time of srcPath in
+// srcFs.
+func copyModTime(
+	srcFs afero.Fs, srcPath string, destFs afero.Fs, destPath string,
+) error {
+	info, err := srcFs.Stat(srcPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read modification time of %s: %w",
+			srcPath, err)
+	}
+
+	err = destFs.Chtimes(destPath, info.ModTime(), info.ModTime())
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to set modification time of %s: %w",
+			destPath, err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // checkCopyDestination refuses to copy over an existing secret unless force
 // is set. A secret being replaced is removed by copyVersions, once its
 // replacement is complete.

internal/vault/unlockers.go

@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
+	"maps"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 // Unlocker metadata type strings.
 const (
 	unlockerTypePassphrase = "passphrase"
+	unlockerTypePGP        = "pgp"
 )
 
 // GetCurrentUnlocker returns the current unlocker for this vault
@@ -52,6 +55,11 @@ func (v *Vault) GetCurrentUnlocker() (secret.Unlocker, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	err = v.checkCurrentUnlockerExists(unlockerDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
 	secret.DebugWith("Resolved unlocker directory",
 		slog.String("unlocker_dir", unlockerDir),
 		slog.String("vault_name", v.Name),
@@ -74,7 +82,7 @@ func (v *Vault) GetCurrentUnlocker() (secret.Unlocker, error) {
 		passphraseUnlocker := secret.NewPassphraseUnlocker(v.fs, unlockerDir, metadata)
 		passphraseUnlocker.Passphrase = v.UnlockPassphrase
 		unlocker = passphraseUnlocker
-	case "pgp":
+	case unlockerTypePGP:
 		secret.Debug("Creating PGP unlocker instance", "unlocker_type", metadata.Type)
 
 		unlocker = secret.NewPGPUnlocker(v.fs, unlockerDir, metadata)
@@ -119,6 +127,37 @@ func (v *Vault) resolveUnlockerDirectory(currentUnlockerPath string) (string, er
 	return absolutePath, nil
 }
 
+// checkCurrentUnlockerExists fails with ErrUnlockerNotFound, saying to
+// select another unlocker, when unlockerDir, the unlocker directory that
+// current-unlocker names, does not exist and the vault has another unlocker
+// that SelectUnlocker accepts. When it has none, it returns nil: reading the
+// missing unlocker then fails, with the advice that the mnemonic still opens
+// the vault.
+func (v *Vault) checkCurrentUnlockerExists(unlockerDir string) error {
+	exists, err := afero.DirExists(v.fs, unlockerDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check for the current unlocker: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if exists {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	otherID, err := v.firstOtherUnlockerID(filepath.Base(unlockerDir))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if otherID == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return fmt.Errorf("unlocker with ID %s %w; the vault '%s' has other "+
+		"unlockers: run %s with the ID of one of them to make it the current "+
+		"unlocker", filepath.Base(unlockerDir), ErrUnlockerNotFound, v.Name,
+		v.withVaultSelect("'secret unlocker select'"))
+}
+
 // findUnlockerByID finds an unlocker by its ID and returns the unlocker
 // instance and its directory path. A directory that ListUnlockers skips is
 // skipped here too, with the same warning. Such a directory has no ID: if
@@ -159,7 +198,7 @@ func (v *Vault) findUnlockerByID(
 		switch metadata.Type {
 		case unlockerTypePassphrase:
 			tempUnlocker = secret.NewPassphraseUnlocker(v.fs, unlockerDirPath, metadata)
-		case "pgp":
+		case unlockerTypePGP:
 			tempUnlocker = secret.NewPGPUnlocker(v.fs, unlockerDirPath, metadata)
 		default:
 			continue
@@ -282,10 +321,15 @@ func (v *Vault) HasUnlocker(unlockerID string) (bool, error) {
 // RemoveUnlocker removes an unlocker from this vault. An unlocker
 // directory that ListUnlockers skips is removed by its directory name; its
 // type is unknown, so only the directory is removed.
-func (v *Vault) RemoveUnlocker(unlockerID string) error {
+//
+// It returns the ID of the unlocker it made current, or "" when it made none
+// current. If the removed unlocker is the current one, the unlocker
+// firstOtherUnlockerID returns is made current before the removal; with
+// none, current-unlocker is removed after it.
+func (v *Vault) RemoveUnlocker(unlockerID string) (string, error) {
 	vaultDir, err := v.GetDirectory()
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return "", err
 	}
 
 	// Find the unlocker directory and create the unlocker instance
@@ -294,19 +338,92 @@ func (v *Vault) RemoveUnlocker(unlockerID string) error {
 	// Find the unlocker by ID
 	unlocker, unlockerDir, err := v.findUnlockerByID(unlockersDir, unlockerID)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return "", err
 	}
 
 	if unlockerDir == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unlocker with ID %s %w", unlockerID, ErrUnlockerNotFound)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("unlocker with ID %s %w", unlockerID, ErrUnlockerNotFound)
+	}
+
+	currentUnlockerPath := filepath.Join(vaultDir, "current-unlocker")
+
+	currentDir, err := v.resolveUnlockerDirectory(currentUnlockerPath)
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	isCurrent := currentDir == unlockerDir
+	newCurrentID := ""
+
+	if isCurrent {
+		newCurrentID, err = v.selectOtherUnlocker(unlockerID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
 	}
 
 	if unlocker == nil {
-		return secret.RemoveDirAtomic(v.fs, unlockerDir)
+		err = secret.RemoveDirAtomic(v.fs, unlockerDir)
+	} else {
+		err = unlocker.Remove()
 	}
 
-	// Use the unlocker's Remove method
-	return unlocker.Remove()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	if isCurrent && newCurrentID == "" {
+		err = v.fs.Remove(currentUnlockerPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to remove current-unlocker file: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return newCurrentID, nil
+}
+
+// selectOtherUnlocker makes the unlocker firstOtherUnlockerID returns for
+// unlockerID the current unlocker and returns its ID. It returns "" when
+// there is no such unlocker.
+func (v *Vault) selectOtherUnlocker(unlockerID string) (string, error) {
+	otherID, err := v.firstOtherUnlockerID(unlockerID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	if otherID == "" {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+
+	err = v.SelectUnlocker(otherID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return otherID, nil
+}
+
+// firstOtherUnlockerID returns the ID of the vault's first unlocker other
+// than unlockerID, in ID order, the order `secret unlocker list` shows, that
+// SelectUnlocker accepts, or "" when there is none. SelectUnlocker refuses
+// an unlocker whose metadata names a type other than passphrase or pgp,
+// which ListUnlockers still returns.
+func (v *Vault) firstOtherUnlockerID(unlockerID string) (string, error) {
+	unlockers, err := v.ListUnlockers()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	for _, id := range slices.Sorted(maps.Keys(unlockers)) {
+		unlockerType := unlockers[id].Type
+
+		if id != unlockerID && (unlockerType == unlockerTypePassphrase ||
+			unlockerType == unlockerTypePGP) {
+			return id, nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	return "", nil
 }
 
 // SelectUnlocker selects an unlocker as current for this vault

internal/vault/vault.go

@@ -291,9 +291,11 @@ func (v *Vault) unlockLongTermKey(
 // without a mnemonic records none, and without its metadata the key cannot
 // be derived. It is not added when the passphrase could not be read: the
 // unlocker was not tried, and adding one would need a passphrase read the
-// same way.
+// same way. Nor is it added when the current unlocker does not exist and the
+// vault has others: the error already says to select one of them.
 func (v *Vault) withMnemonicAdvice(err error) error {
-	if errors.Is(err, secret.ErrPassphraseNotRead) {
+	if errors.Is(err, secret.ErrPassphraseNotRead) ||
+		errors.Is(err, ErrUnlockerNotFound) {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -304,15 +306,21 @@ func (v *Vault) withMnemonicAdvice(err error) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// 'secret unlocker add' acts on the current vault only.
-	steps := "'secret unlocker add passphrase'"
-
-	current, currentErr := GetCurrentVault(v.fs, v.stateDir)
-	if currentErr != nil || current.Name != v.Name {
-		steps = fmt.Sprintf("'secret vault select %s', then %s", v.Name, steps)
-	}
-
 	return fmt.Errorf("%w; the vault '%s' still opens with its mnemonic: run "+
 		"%s with %s set to the mnemonic to give it a new unlocker",
-		err, v.Name, steps, secret.EnvMnemonic)
+		err, v.Name, v.withVaultSelect("'secret unlocker add passphrase'"),
+		secret.EnvMnemonic)
+}
+
+// withVaultSelect returns command, a quoted 'secret unlocker' command, for
+// advice about this vault. Such a command acts on the current vault only,
+// so when this vault is not the current one, the command that selects it
+// comes first.
+func (v *Vault) withVaultSelect(command string) string {
+	current, err := GetCurrentVault(v.fs, v.stateDir)
+	if err != nil || current.Name != v.Name {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("'secret vault select %s', then %s", v.Name, command)
+	}
+
+	return command
 }