TrueCrypt CLI

Use this skill when the user explicitly wants to work with installed TrueCrypt on Windows, especially version 7.1a, instead of being redirected to VeraCrypt.

Workflow

1. Confirm that TrueCrypt.exe exists before giving machine-specific commands.
2. Prefer the full executable path in examples to avoid PATH issues.
3. Ask only for the minimum needed details:
   • volume path or device path
   • target drive letter
   • whether a keyfile is used
   • whether the operation must be non-interactive
4. Prefer non-destructive operations first: detect install path, dismount, or prepare a command without running it.
5. Warn before using /p because command-line passwords may be exposed to process listings, logs, or shell history.
6. If built-in help does not print to the console, rely on known command patterns and cautious validation instead of pretending the CLI is self-documenting.

Quick checks

First, locate the binary. Common paths:

C:\Program Files\TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.exe

PowerShell check:

$tc = @(
  'C:\Program Files\TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.exe',
  'C:\Program Files (x86)\TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.exe'
) | Where-Object { Test-Path $_ } | Select-Object -First 1

If nothing is found there, fall back to Get-Command TrueCrypt.exe.

Safe command patterns

Use the cookbook in references/commands.md for exact examples.

High-confidence operations:

• mount a volume with /v and /l
• dismount one letter with /d X
• dismount all with /d
• use /q for quiet mode
• use /k for keyfiles when needed
• use /m for mount options when explicitly required

Prefer examples like:

"C:\Program Files\TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.exe" /v "C:\path\container.tc" /l X /q

"C:\Program Files\TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.exe" /d X /q

"C:\Program Files\TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.exe" /d /q

Safety and communication rules

• Do not casually recommend migrating to VeraCrypt if the user explicitly asked for TrueCrypt help; answer the TrueCrypt question first.
• Do mention that TrueCrypt is discontinued when security or long-term maintenance is relevant.
• Do not put a real password into saved scripts unless the user explicitly requests that tradeoff.
• For destructive or risky actions, prepare the command and ask before executing it.
• If uncertain about a rare switch, say so plainly and stick to the known-safe command surface.

Outputs to provide

Depending on the request, provide one of these:

• exact one-line mount or dismount command
• PowerShell or batch wrapper
• install-detection command
• short explanation of each switch used
• a cautious test plan for validating a container without exposing secrets