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Notation

notaryproject.dev

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Spec score 7.8 #11 of 28 in Code Signing Software

What it is

Notation is a command-line tool for signing and verifying container images and other artifacts in OCI registries, including software bills of materials. It implements the Notary Project specifications, which are intended to help secure software supply chains. Its signatures can move between OCI registries and be validated in connected, intermittently connected, or disconnected environments without additional server infrastructure. The specifications define signature envelopes using COSE or JWS. Notation can integrate with existing key management systems through a plugin model, with instructions for Azure Key Vault and AWS Signer. Developers and CI/CD pipelines can create signatures and store them alongside signed artifacts. The project provides a quick start for signing and validating a container image. Notation runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and is free under the Apache 2.0 license. Cloud signing, trusted timestamping, and CI/CD signing are listed capabilities; a certificate is not provided. The specifications repository lists a 2023 security audit, and the project overview describes continuous fuzz testing across three repositories.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Notation is a command-line tool for signing and verifying artifacts in OCI registries.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The README describes Notation as usable by developers and CI/CD pipelines to produce portable signatures and store them with signed artifacts in OCI-compliant registries.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integrations
The project README links to signing workflows using Azure Key Vault and AWS Signer.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The README directs users to the Notation supported releases information for support details.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The Notation project is covered under the Apache 2.0 license.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Community
Users can ask questions in the Notary Project Slack channel and join community meetings.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Envelopes
The specifications define OCI signature envelopes using COSE or JWS.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Fuzz testing
The project overview says continuous fuzz testing is implemented for the notary, notation-go, and notation-core-go repositories.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Key management
The project supports integration with existing key management systems, including through a plugin model.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Key management integrations
The project links instructions for using Notation with Azure Key Vault and AWS Signer.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Portable signatures
Signatures produced under the specification can be copied between OCI registries and validated in connected, occasionally connected, and disconnected environments without extra server infrastructure.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Quick start
The project provides a quick start for signing and validating a container image.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security audits
The specifications repository lists a 2023 ADA Logics security audit covering Notation and related Go libraries.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Signature use
The project describes its signatures as providing security similar to checking Git commit signatures, while being generic enough for additional purposes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Standards
Notation implements the Notary Project specifications for signing and verification.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supply chain
The Notary Project aims to secure software supply chains using authentic container images and other OCI artifacts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Notary Project Notation Free Apache 2.0 licensed CLI project Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Notation plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Signs OCI images and other OCI artifacts
  • Portable signatures work without extra server infrastructure
  • Supports cloud signing and trusted timestamping

Limits

  • Does not provide a certificate
  • Requires command-line use

Who it suits

Notation suits developers and CI/CD teams that need to sign OCI images or other OCI artifacts and keep signatures portable across registries. It supports integration with existing key management systems.

Verdict

Notation covers signing and verification for OCI artifacts, with portability across registries and disconnected environments. Its free, Apache 2.0-licensed project includes workflows for developers and CI/CD pipelines.

Where Specifiction places it

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