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---
layout: docs
page_title: KV - Secrets Engines
description: The KV secrets engine can store arbitrary secrets.
---
# KV Secrets Engine - Version 1
The `kv` secrets engine is used to store arbitrary secrets within the
configured physical storage for Vault.
Writing to a key in the `kv` backend will replace the old value; sub-fields are
not merged together.
Key names must always be strings. If you write non-string values directly via
the CLI, they will be converted into strings. However, you can preserve
non-string values by writing the key/value pairs to Vault from a JSON file or
using the HTTP API.
This secrets engine honors the distinction between the `create` and `update`
capabilities inside ACL policies.
~> **Note**: Path and key names are _not_ obfuscated or encrypted; only the
values set on keys are. You should not store sensitive information as part of a
secret's path.
## Setup
To enable a version 1 kv store:
```
vault secrets enable -version=1 kv
```
## Usage
After the secrets engine is configured and a user/machine has a Vault token with
the proper permission, it can generate credentials. The `kv` secrets engine
allows for writing keys with arbitrary values.
1. Write arbitrary data:
```text
$ vault kv put kv/my-secret my-value=s3cr3t
Success! Data written to: kv/my-secret
```
1. Read arbitrary data:
```text
$ vault kv get kv/my-secret
Key Value
--- -----
my-value s3cr3t
```
1. List the keys:
```text
$ vault kv list kv/
Keys
----
my-secret
```
1. Delete a key:
```
$ vault kv delete kv/my-secret
Success! Data deleted (if it existed) at: kv/my-secret
```
## TTLs
Unlike other secrets engines, the KV secrets engine does not enforce TTLs
for expiration. Instead, the `lease_duration` is a hint for how often consumers
should check back for a new value.
If provided a key of `ttl`, the KV secrets engine will utilize this value
as the lease duration:
```shell-session
$ vault kv put kv/my-secret ttl=30m my-value=s3cr3t
Success! Data written to: kv/my-secret
```
Even with a `ttl` set, the secrets engine _never_ removes data on its own. The
`ttl` key is merely advisory.
When reading a value with a `ttl`, both the `ttl` key _and_ the refresh interval
will reflect the value:
```shell-session
$ vault kv get kv/my-secret
Key Value
--- -----
my-value s3cr3t
ttl 30m
```
## Learn
Refer to the [Static Secrets: Key/Value Secrets
Engine](https://learn.hashicorp.com/vault/secrets-management/sm-static-secrets)
guide for a step-by-step tutorial.
## API
The KV secrets engine has a full HTTP API. Please see the
[KV secrets engine API](/api/secret/kv/kv-v1) for more
details.