lets-encryptmanual-testingcertbot

Let's Encrypt: How to manually test the certbot renewal process?


I have a working setup where Let's Encrypt certificates are generated with certbot. I wonder how you effectively test whether the renewal will work in production.

The certificates last for 90 days. Is there a way to reduce the lifespan to, for instance, 10 minutes, to see if the renewal works? (Using the staging system for that is fine.)

If you have an alternative approach how to make sure that your renewal code works (without having to wait for 90 days), it would also be appreciated.


Solution

  • You can use "certbot renew --force-renewal"

    https://certbot.eff.org/docs/using.html#configuration-file

    --force-renewal, --renew-by-default

    If a certificate already exists for the requested domains, renew it now, regardless of whether it is near expiry. (Often --keep-until-expiring is more appropriate). Also implies --expand. (default: False)