Deadcert: A zero-dependency Go CLI to check TLS cert expiry

Description and use

**Brief Summary (2‑3 sentences)**
Deadcert is a lightweight, zero‑dependency Go command‑line tool that quickly checks the expiration dates of TLS certificates. It is designed for developers who need an instant, script‑friendly way to surface cert‑expiry information during local testing, CI pipelines, or routine maintenance. The project is actively maintained (last update 2026‑06‑23) but provides only minimal integration metadata, so a quick manual review is recommended before wider adoption.

**Value**

• **Time‑saving:** Eliminates the need to manually query certificates with openssl or browser tools, letting engineers embed a single command into their daily workflow or CI jobs.
• **Zero‑dependency:** Because it’s a single‑binary Go program, there’s no runtime overhead or external library footprint, which simplifies deployment on build agents, containers, or developer laptops.
• **Automation‑ready:** The CLI’s simple output can be parsed by scripts to generate alerts, enforce policy, or gate deployments based on upcoming expirations.

**Practical Adoption Path**

1. **Trial:** Clone the repo, build the binary (go build ./cmd/deadcert), and run it against a few known hosts to verify output format and correctness.
2. **Integration:** Wrap the binary in a shell script or Makefile target and add it to local development checks or CI pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI).
3. **Validation:** Review the license, open issues, and release cadence; confirm that the maintainers respond to bugs and that the project aligns with your organization’s security policies.
4. **Roll‑out:** Once vetted, publish the binary to an internal artifact repository or container image and standardize its use across teams.

**Production Readiness**

• **Readiness Level:** *Medium* – suitable for prototypes, internal tooling, or CI feedback loops, but not yet a turnkey production service.
• **Considerations:** Verify the project’s licensing, check the issue backlog for unresolved bugs, and ensure a process for updating the binary as new Go releases or security patches appear.
• **Next Steps for Production:** If the tool passes the manual inspection, establish a version‑pinning strategy and integrate automated health checks (e.g., a nightly run that alerts on failing cert checks) before promoting it to critical production pipelines.

Use in a workflow

Deadcert: A zero-dependency Go CLI to check TLS cert expiry helps engineers save time in daily development and review loops.

• speed up developer workflows
• automate local engineering tasks
• improve CI feedback

Limitations and review notes

Medium: useful for prototypes or internal workflows, with dependency and maintenance checks before production.