feat: remove -o env from search command

- Remove OutputMode::Env from output.rs
- Remove env output branch and shell_quote from search.rs
- Update docs (AGENTS.md, README.md, main.rs help)

Bump version to 0.7.5

Made-with: Cursor

.vscode/tasks.json

@@ -104,9 +104,9 @@
       "dependsOn": "build"
     },
     {
-      "label": "test: search with secrets revealed",
+      "label": "test: inject service secrets",
       "type": "shell",
-      "command": "./target/debug/secrets search -n refining --kind service --show-secrets",
+      "command": "./target/debug/secrets inject -n refining --kind service --name gitea",
       "dependsOn": "build"
     },
     {
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
     {
       "label": "test: add + delete roundtrip",
       "type": "shell",
-      "command": "echo '--- add ---' && ./target/debug/secrets add -n test --kind demo --name roundtrip-test --tag test -m foo=bar -s password=secret123 && echo '--- search ---' && ./target/debug/secrets search -n test --show-secrets && echo '--- delete ---' && ./target/debug/secrets delete -n test --kind demo --name roundtrip-test && echo '--- verify deleted ---' && ./target/debug/secrets search -n test",
+      "command": "echo '--- add ---' && ./target/debug/secrets add -n test --kind demo --name roundtrip-test --tag test -m foo=bar -s password=secret123 && echo '--- search metadata ---' && ./target/debug/secrets search -n test && echo '--- inject secrets ---' && ./target/debug/secrets inject -n test --kind demo --name roundtrip-test && echo '--- delete ---' && ./target/debug/secrets delete -n test --kind demo --name roundtrip-test && echo '--- verify deleted ---' && ./target/debug/secrets search -n test",
       "dependsOn": "build"
     },
     {
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
     {
       "label": "test: add with file secret",
       "type": "shell",
-      "command": "echo '--- add key from file ---' && ./target/debug/secrets add -n test --kind key --name test-key --tag test -s content=@./refining/keys/Vultr && echo '--- verify ---' && ./target/debug/secrets search -n test --kind key --show-secrets && echo '--- cleanup ---' && ./target/debug/secrets delete -n test --kind key --name test-key",
+      "command": "echo '--- add key from file ---' && ./target/debug/secrets add -n test --kind key --name test-key --tag test -s content=@./refining/keys/Vultr && echo '--- verify metadata ---' && ./target/debug/secrets search -n test --kind key && echo '--- verify inject ---' && ./target/debug/secrets inject -n test --kind key --name test-key && echo '--- cleanup ---' && ./target/debug/secrets delete -n test --kind key --name test-key",
       "dependsOn": "build"
     }
   ]

AGENTS.md

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ secrets/
     audit.rs             # 审计写入：log_tx（事务内）/ log（池，保留备用）
     commands/
       init.rs            # init 命令：主密钥初始化（每台设备一次）
-      add.rs             # add 命令：upsert，事务化，含历史快照，支持 key:=json 类型化值
+      add.rs             # add 命令：upsert，事务化，含历史快照，支持 key:=json 类型化值与嵌套路径写入
       config.rs          # config 命令：set-db / show / path（持久化 database_url）
       search.rs          # search 命令：多条件查询，公开 fetch_rows / build_env_map
       delete.rs          # delete 命令：事务化，含历史快照
@@ -153,7 +153,6 @@ secrets init   # 提示输入主密码，Argon2id 派生主密钥后存入 OS
 - TTY（终端直接运行）→ 默认 `text`
 - 非 TTY（管道/重定向/AI 调用）→ 自动 `json-compact`
 - 显式 `-o json` → 美化 JSON
-- 显式 `-o env` → KEY=VALUE（可 source）
 
 ---
 
@@ -176,13 +175,13 @@ secrets init
 #   --name             gitea | i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc | mqtt
 #   --tag              aliyun | hongkong | production
 #   -q / --query       mqtt | grafana | gitea   （模糊匹配 name/namespace/kind/tags/metadata）
-#   --show-secrets     不带值的 flag，显示 encrypted 字段内容
+#   --show-secrets     已弃用；search 不再直接展示 secrets
-#   -f / --field       metadata.ip | metadata.url | secret.token | secret.ssh_key
+#   -f / --field       metadata.ip | metadata.url | metadata.default_org
 #   --summary          不带值的 flag，仅返回摘要（name/tags/desc/updated_at）
 #   --limit            20 | 50（默认 50）
 #   --offset           0 | 10 | 20（分页偏移）
 #   --sort             name（默认）| updated | created
-#   -o / --output      text | json | json-compact | env
+#   -o / --output      text | json | json-compact
 
 # 发现概览（起步推荐）
 secrets search --summary --limit 20
@@ -193,14 +192,17 @@ secrets search --sort updated --limit 10 --summary
 secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea
 secrets search -n refining --kind server --name i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc
 
-# 精确定位并获取完整内容（含 secrets）
+# 精确定位并获取完整内容（secrets 保持加密占位）
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json --show-secrets
+secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json
 
-# 直接提取字段值（最短路径，-f secret.* 自动解锁 secrets）
+# 直接提取 metadata 字段值（最短路径）
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f secret.token
 secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f metadata.url
 secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea \
-  -f metadata.url -f metadata.default_org -f secret.token
+  -f metadata.url -f metadata.default_org
+
+# 需要 secrets 时，改用 inject / run
+secrets inject -n refining --kind service --name gitea
+secrets run -n refining --kind service --name gitea -- printenv
 
 # 模糊关键词搜索
 secrets search -q mqtt
@@ -219,11 +221,6 @@ secrets search -n refining --summary --limit 10 --offset 10
 
 # 管道 / AI 调用（非 TTY 自动 json-compact）
 secrets search -n refining --kind service | jq '.[].name'
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea --show-secrets | jq '.secrets.token'
-
-# 导出为 env 文件（单条记录）
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o env --show-secrets \
-  > ~/.config/gitea/config.env
 ```
 
 ---
@@ -236,8 +233,8 @@ secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o env --show-secrets \
 #   --kind             server | service
 #   --name             gitea | i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc
 #   --tag              aliyun | hongkong（可重复）
-#   -m / --meta        ip=47.117.131.22 | desc="Aliyun ECS" | url=https://...（可重复）
+#   -m / --meta        ip=47.117.131.22 | desc="Aliyun ECS" | url=https://... | tls:cert@./cert.pem（可重复）
-#   -s / --secret      token=<value> | ssh_key=@./key.pem | password=secret123（可重复）
+#   -s / --secret      token=<value> | ssh_key=@./key.pem | password=secret123 | credentials:content@./key.pem（可重复）
 
 # 添加服务器
 secrets add -n refining --kind server --name i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc \
@@ -256,6 +253,10 @@ secrets add -n ricnsmart --kind service --name mqtt \
   -m host=mqtt.ricnsmart.com -m port=1883 \
   -s password=@./mqtt_password.txt
 
+# 多行文件直接写入嵌套 secret 字段
+secrets add -n refining --kind server --name i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc \
+  -s credentials:content@./keys/voson_shanghai_e.pem
+
 # 使用类型化值（key:=<json>）存储非字符串类型
 secrets add -n refining --kind service --name prometheus \
   -m scrape_interval:=15 \
@@ -277,10 +278,10 @@ secrets add -n refining --kind service --name prometheus \
 #   --name             gitea | i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc
 #   --add-tag          production | backup（不影响已有 tag，可重复）
 #   --remove-tag       staging | deprecated（可重复）
-#   -m / --meta        ip=10.0.0.1 | desc="新描述"（新增或覆盖，可重复）
+#   -m / --meta        ip=10.0.0.1 | desc="新描述" | credentials:username=root（新增或覆盖，可重复）
-#   --remove-meta      old_port | legacy_key（删除 metadata 字段，可重复）
+#   --remove-meta      old_port | legacy_key | credentials:content（删除 metadata 字段，可重复）
-#   -s / --secret      token=<new> | ssh_key=@./new.pem（新增或覆盖，可重复）
+#   -s / --secret      token=<new> | ssh_key=@./new.pem | credentials:content@./new.pem（新增或覆盖，可重复）
-#   --remove-secret    old_password | deprecated_key（删除 secret 字段，可重复）
+#   --remove-secret    old_password | deprecated_key | credentials:content（删除 secret 字段，可重复）
 
 # 更新单个 metadata 字段
 secrets update -n refining --kind server --name i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc \
@@ -299,6 +300,14 @@ secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea \
 secrets update -n refining --kind service --name mqtt \
   --remove-meta old_port --remove-secret old_password
 
+# 从文件更新嵌套 secret 字段
+secrets update -n refining --kind server --name i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc \
+  -s credentials:content@./keys/voson_shanghai_e.pem
+
+# 删除嵌套字段
+secrets update -n refining --kind server --name i-uf63f2uookgs5uxmrdyc \
+  --remove-secret credentials:content
+
 # 移除 tag
 secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea --remove-tag staging
 ```
@@ -466,7 +475,7 @@ secrets --db-url "postgres://..." search -n refining
 - 新增 `kind` 类型时：只需在 `add` 调用时传入，无需改代码
 - 字段命名：CLI 短标志 `-n`=namespace，`-m`=meta，`-s`=secret，`-q`=query，`-v`=verbose，`-f`=field，`-o`=output
 - 日志：用户可见输出用 `println!`；调试/运维信息用 `tracing::debug!`/`info!`/`warn!`/`error!`
-- 审计：`add`/`update`/`delete` 成功后调用 `audit::log()`，写入 `audit_log` 表；失败只 warn 不中断
+- 审计：`add`/`update`/`delete` 成功后调用 `audit::log_tx`，写入 `audit_log` 表；失败只 warn 不中断
 - 加密：`encrypted` 列存储 AES-256-GCM 密文；`add`/`update`/`search`/`delete` 需主密钥（`secrets init` 后从 OS 钥匙串加载）
 - 输出：读命令通过 `OutputMode` 支持 text/json/json-compact/env；写命令 `add` 同样支持 `-o json`
 

Cargo.lock

@@ -1836,7 +1836,7 @@ checksum = "94143f37725109f92c262ed2cf5e59bce7498c01bcc1502d7b9afe439a4e9f49"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "secrets"
-version = "0.7.1"
+version = "0.7.5"
 dependencies = [
  "aes-gcm",
  "anyhow",

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "secrets"
-version = "0.7.1"
+version = "0.7.5"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]

README.md

@@ -54,37 +54,41 @@ secrets search --sort updated --limit 10 --summary
 # 精确定位（namespace + kind + name 三元组）
 secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea
 
-# 获取完整记录含 secrets（JSON 格式，AI 最易解析）
+# 获取完整记录（secrets 保持加密占位）
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json --show-secrets
+secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json
 
-# 直接提取单个字段值（最短路径）
+# 直接提取单个 metadata 字段值（最短路径）
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f secret.token
 secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f metadata.url
 
-# 同时提取多个字段
+# 同时提取多个 metadata 字段
 secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea \
-  -f metadata.url -f metadata.default_org -f secret.token
+  -f metadata.url -f metadata.default_org
+
+# 需要 secrets 时，改用 inject / run
+secrets inject -n refining --kind service --name gitea
+secrets run -n refining --kind service --name gitea -- printenv
 ```
 
-`-f secret.*` 会自动解锁 secrets，无需额外加 `--show-secrets`。
+`search` 只负责发现、定位和读取 metadata，不直接展示 secrets。
 
 ### 输出格式
 
 | 场景 | 推荐命令 |
 |------|----------|
 | AI 解析 / 管道处理 | `-o json` 或 `-o json-compact` |
-| 写入 `.env` 文件 | `-o env --show-secrets` |
+| 注入 secrets 到环境变量 | `inject` / `run` |
 | 人类查看 | 默认 `text`（TTY 下自动启用） |
 | 非 TTY（管道/重定向） | 自动 `json-compact` |
 
+说明：`text` 输出中的时间会按当前机器本地时区显示；`json/json-compact` 继续使用 UTC（RFC3339 风格）以便脚本和 AI 稳定解析。
+
 ```bash
 # 管道直接 jq 解析（非 TTY 自动 json-compact）
 secrets search -n refining --kind service | jq '.[].name'
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea --show-secrets | jq '.secrets.token'
 
-# 导出为可 source 的 env 文件（单条记录）
+# 需要 secrets 时，使用 inject / run
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o env --show-secrets \
+secrets inject -n refining --kind service --name gitea > ~/.config/gitea/secrets.env
-  > ~/.config/gitea/config.env
+secrets run -n refining --kind service --name gitea -- ./deploy.sh
 ```
 
 ## 完整命令参考
@@ -106,8 +110,8 @@ secrets search -n refining --kind service                  # 按 namespace + kin
 secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea     # 精确查找
 secrets search -q mqtt                                     # 关键词模糊搜索
 secrets search --tag hongkong                              # 按 tag 过滤
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f secret.token   # 提取字段
+secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f metadata.url   # 提取 metadata 字段
-secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json --show-secrets  # 完整 JSON
+secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json            # 完整记录（secrets 保持占位）
 secrets search --sort updated --limit 10 --summary         # 最近改动
 secrets search -n refining --summary --limit 10 --offset 10  # 翻页
 
@@ -117,6 +121,17 @@ secrets add -n refining --kind server --name my-server \
   -m ip=47.117.131.22 -m desc="Aliyun Shanghai ECS" \
   -s username=root -s ssh_key=@./keys/server.pem
 
+# 多行文件直接写入嵌套 secret 字段
+secrets add -n refining --kind server --name my-server \
+  -s credentials:content@./keys/server.pem
+
+# 使用 typed JSON 写入 secret（布尔、数字、数组、对象）
+secrets add -n refining --kind service --name deploy-bot \
+  -s enabled:=true \
+  -s retry_count:=3 \
+  -s scopes:='["repo","workflow"]' \
+  -s extra:='{"region":"ap-east-1","verify_tls":true}'
+
 secrets add -n refining --kind service --name gitea \
   --tag gitea \
   -m url=https://gitea.refining.dev -m default_org=refining \
@@ -126,6 +141,7 @@ secrets add -n refining --kind service --name gitea \
 secrets update -n refining --kind server --name my-server -m ip=10.0.0.1
 secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea --add-tag production -s token=<new>
 secrets update -n refining --kind service --name mqtt --remove-meta old_port --remove-secret old_key
+secrets update -n refining --kind server --name my-server --remove-secret credentials:content
 
 # ── delete ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 secrets delete -n refining --kind service --name legacy-mqtt
@@ -160,7 +176,90 @@ RUST_LOG=secrets=trace secrets search
 | `metadata` | 明文描述信息（ip、desc、domains 等） |
 | `encrypted` | 敏感凭据（ssh_key、password、token 等），AES-256-GCM 加密存储 |
 
-`-m` / `--meta` 写入 `metadata`，`-s` / `--secret` 写入 `encrypted`，`value=@file` 从文件读取内容。加解密使用主密钥（由 `secrets init` 设置）。
+`-m` / `--meta` 写入 `metadata`，`-s` / `--secret` 写入 `encrypted`。支持 `key=value`、`key=@file`、`key:=<json>`，也支持 `credentials:content@./key.pem` 这种嵌套字段文件写入语法，避免手动转义多行文本；删除时也支持 `--remove-secret credentials:content` 和 `--remove-meta credentials:content`。加解密使用主密钥（由 `secrets init` 设置）。
+
+### `-m` / `--meta` JSON 语法速查
+
+`-m` 和 `-s` 走的是同一套解析规则，只是写入位置不同：`-m` 写到明文 `metadata`，适合端口、开关、标签、描述性配置等非敏感信息。
+
+| 目标值 | 写法示例 | 实际存入 |
+|------|------|------|
+| 普通字符串 | `-m url=https://gitea.refining.dev` | `"https://gitea.refining.dev"` |
+| 文件内容字符串 | `-m notes=@./service-notes.txt` | `"..."` |
+| 布尔值 | `-m enabled:=true` | `true` |
+| 数字 | `-m port:=3000` | `3000` |
+| `null` | `-m deprecated_at:=null` | `null` |
+| 数组 | `-m domains:='["gitea.refining.dev","git.refining.dev"]'` | `["gitea.refining.dev","git.refining.dev"]` |
+| 对象 | `-m tls:='{"enabled":true,"redirect_http":true}'` | `{"enabled":true,"redirect_http":true}` |
+| 嵌套路径 + JSON | `-m deploy:strategy:='{"type":"rolling","batch":2}'` | `{"deploy":{"strategy":{"type":"rolling","batch":2}}}` |
+
+常见规则：
+
+- `=` 表示按字符串存储。
+- `:=` 表示按 JSON 解析。
+- shell 中数组和对象建议整体用单引号包住。
+- 嵌套字段继续用冒号分隔：`-m runtime:max_open_conns:=20`。
+
+示例：新增一条带 typed metadata 的记录
+
+```bash
+secrets add -n refining --kind service --name gitea \
+  -m url=https://gitea.refining.dev \
+  -m port:=3000 \
+  -m enabled:=true \
+  -m domains:='["gitea.refining.dev","git.refining.dev"]' \
+  -m tls:='{"enabled":true,"redirect_http":true}'
+```
+
+示例：更新已有记录中的嵌套 metadata
+
+```bash
+secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea \
+  -m deploy:strategy:='{"type":"rolling","batch":2}' \
+  -m runtime:max_open_conns:=20
+```
+
+### `-s` / `--secret` JSON 语法速查
+
+当你希望写入的不是普通字符串，而是 `true`、`123`、`null`、数组或对象时，用 `:=`，右侧按 JSON 解析。
+
+| 目标值 | 写法示例 | 实际存入 |
+|------|------|------|
+| 普通字符串 | `-s token=abc123` | `"abc123"` |
+| 文件内容字符串 | `-s ssh_key=@./id_ed25519` | `"-----BEGIN ..."` |
+| 布尔值 | `-s enabled:=true` | `true` |
+| 数字 | `-s retry_count:=3` | `3` |
+| `null` | `-s deprecated_at:=null` | `null` |
+| 数组 | `-s scopes:='["repo","workflow"]'` | `["repo","workflow"]` |
+| 对象 | `-s extra:='{"region":"ap-east-1","verify_tls":true}'` | `{"region":"ap-east-1","verify_tls":true}` |
+| 嵌套路径 + JSON | `-s auth:policy:='{"mfa":true,"ttl":3600}'` | `{"auth":{"policy":{"mfa":true,"ttl":3600}}}` |
+
+常见规则：
+
+- `=` 表示按字符串存储，不做 JSON 解析。
+- `:=` 表示按 JSON 解析，适合布尔、数字、数组、对象、`null`。
+- shell 里对象和数组通常要整体加引号，推荐单引号：`-s flags:='["a","b"]'`。
+- 嵌套字段继续用冒号分隔：`-s credentials:enabled:=true`。
+- 如果你就是想存一个“JSON 字符串字面量”，可以写成 `-s note:='"hello"'`，但大多数字符串场景直接用 `=` 更直观。
+
+示例：新增一条同时包含字符串、文件、布尔、数组、对象的记录
+
+```bash
+secrets add -n refining --kind service --name deploy-bot \
+  -s token=abc123 \
+  -s ssh_key=@./keys/deploy-bot.pem \
+  -s enabled:=true \
+  -s scopes:='["repo","workflow"]' \
+  -s policy:='{"ttl":3600,"mfa":true}'
+```
+
+示例：更新已有记录中的嵌套 JSON 字段
+
+```bash
+secrets update -n refining --kind service --name deploy-bot \
+  -s auth:config:='{"issuer":"gitea","rotate":true}' \
+  -s auth:retry:=5
+```
 
 ## 审计日志
 

src/audit.rs

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use serde_json::Value;
-use sqlx::{PgPool, Postgres, Transaction};
+use sqlx::{Postgres, Transaction};
 
 /// Write an audit entry within an existing transaction.
 pub async fn log_tx(
@@ -30,35 +30,3 @@ pub async fn log_tx(
         tracing::debug!(action, namespace, kind, name, actor, "audit logged");
     }
 }
-
-/// Write an audit entry using the pool (fire-and-forget, non-fatal).
-/// Kept for future use or scenarios without an active transaction.
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-pub async fn log(
-    pool: &PgPool,
-    action: &str,
-    namespace: &str,
-    kind: &str,
-    name: &str,
-    detail: Value,
-) {
-    let actor = std::env::var("USER").unwrap_or_default();
-    let result: Result<_, sqlx::Error> = sqlx::query(
-        "INSERT INTO audit_log (action, namespace, kind, name, detail, actor) \
-         VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6)",
-    )
-    .bind(action)
-    .bind(namespace)
-    .bind(kind)
-    .bind(name)
-    .bind(&detail)
-    .bind(&actor)
-    .execute(pool)
-    .await;
-
-    if let Err(e) = result {
-        tracing::warn!(error = %e, "failed to write audit log");
-    } else {
-        tracing::debug!(action, namespace, kind, name, actor, "audit logged");
-    }
-}

src/commands/add.rs

@@ -7,11 +7,13 @@ use crate::crypto;
 use crate::db;
 use crate::output::OutputMode;
 
-/// Parse "key=value" or "key:=<json>" entries.
+/// Parse secret / metadata entries into a nested key path and JSON value.
-/// - `key=value`   → stores the literal string `value`
+/// - `key=value`        → stores the literal string `value`
-/// - `key:=<json>` → parses `<json>` as a typed JSON value (number, bool, null, array, object)
+/// - `key:=<json>`      → parses `<json>` as a typed JSON value
-/// - `value=@file` → reads the file content as a string (only for `=` form)
+/// - `key=@file`        → reads the file content as a string
-pub(crate) fn parse_kv(entry: &str) -> Result<(String, Value)> {
+/// - `a:b=value`        → writes nested fields: `{ "a": { "b": "value" } }`
+/// - `a:b@./file.txt`   → shorthand for nested file reads without manual JSON escaping
+pub(crate) fn parse_kv(entry: &str) -> Result<(Vec<String>, Value)> {
     // Typed JSON form: key:=<json>
     if let Some((key, json_str)) = entry.split_once(":=") {
         let val: Value = serde_json::from_str(json_str).map_err(|e| {
@@ -21,36 +23,141 @@ pub(crate) fn parse_kv(entry: &str) -> Result<(String, Value)> {
                 e
             )
         })?;
-        return Ok((key.to_string(), val));
+        return Ok((parse_key_path(key)?, val));
     }
 
     // Plain string form: key=value or key=@file
-    let (key, raw_val) = entry.split_once('=').ok_or_else(|| {
+    if let Some((key, raw_val)) = entry.split_once('=') {
-        anyhow::anyhow!(
+        let value = if let Some(path) = raw_val.strip_prefix('@') {
-            "Invalid format '{}'. Expected: key=value, key=@file, or key:=<json>",
+            fs::read_to_string(path)
-            entry
+                .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("Failed to read file '{}': {}", path, e))?
-        )
+        } else {
-    })?;
+            raw_val.to_string()
+        };
 
-    let value = if let Some(path) = raw_val.strip_prefix('@') {
+        return Ok((parse_key_path(key)?, Value::String(value)));
-        fs::read_to_string(path)
+    }
-            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("Failed to read file '{}': {}", path, e))?
-    } else {
-        raw_val.to_string()
-    };
 
-    Ok((key.to_string(), Value::String(value)))
+    // Shorthand file form: nested:key@file
+    if let Some((key, path)) = entry.split_once('@') {
+        let value = fs::read_to_string(path)
+            .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("Failed to read file '{}': {}", path, e))?;
+        return Ok((parse_key_path(key)?, Value::String(value)));
+    }
+
+    anyhow::bail!(
+        "Invalid format '{}'. Expected: key=value, key=@file, nested:key@file, or key:=<json>",
+        entry
+    )
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn build_json(entries: &[String]) -> Result<Value> {
     let mut map = Map::new();
     for entry in entries {
-        let (key, value) = parse_kv(entry)?;
+        let (path, value) = parse_kv(entry)?;
-        map.insert(key, value);
+        insert_path(&mut map, &path, value)?;
     }
     Ok(Value::Object(map))
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn key_path_to_string(path: &[String]) -> String {
+    path.join(":")
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn collect_key_paths(entries: &[String]) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    entries
+        .iter()
+        .map(|entry| parse_kv(entry).map(|(path, _)| key_path_to_string(&path)))
+        .collect()
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn collect_field_paths(entries: &[String]) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    entries
+        .iter()
+        .map(|entry| parse_key_path(entry).map(|path| key_path_to_string(&path)))
+        .collect()
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn parse_key_path(key: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    let path: Vec<String> = key
+        .split(':')
+        .map(str::trim)
+        .map(ToOwned::to_owned)
+        .collect();
+
+    if path.is_empty() || path.iter().any(|part| part.is_empty()) {
+        anyhow::bail!(
+            "Invalid key path '{}'. Use non-empty segments like 'credentials:content'.",
+            key
+        );
+    }
+
+    Ok(path)
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn insert_path(
+    map: &mut Map<String, Value>,
+    path: &[String],
+    value: Value,
+) -> Result<()> {
+    if path.is_empty() {
+        anyhow::bail!("Key path cannot be empty");
+    }
+
+    if path.len() == 1 {
+        map.insert(path[0].clone(), value);
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    let head = path[0].clone();
+    let tail = &path[1..];
+
+    match map.entry(head.clone()) {
+        serde_json::map::Entry::Vacant(entry) => {
+            let mut child = Map::new();
+            insert_path(&mut child, tail, value)?;
+            entry.insert(Value::Object(child));
+        }
+        serde_json::map::Entry::Occupied(mut entry) => match entry.get_mut() {
+            Value::Object(child) => insert_path(child, tail, value)?,
+            _ => {
+                anyhow::bail!(
+                    "Cannot set nested key '{}' because '{}' is already a non-object value",
+                    key_path_to_string(path),
+                    head
+                );
+            }
+        },
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn remove_path(map: &mut Map<String, Value>, path: &[String]) -> Result<bool> {
+    if path.is_empty() {
+        anyhow::bail!("Key path cannot be empty");
+    }
+
+    if path.len() == 1 {
+        return Ok(map.remove(&path[0]).is_some());
+    }
+
+    let Some(value) = map.get_mut(&path[0]) else {
+        return Ok(false);
+    };
+
+    let Value::Object(child) = value else {
+        return Ok(false);
+    };
+
+    let removed = remove_path(child, &path[1..])?;
+    if child.is_empty() {
+        map.remove(&path[0]);
+    }
+
+    Ok(removed)
+}
+
 pub struct AddArgs<'a> {
     pub namespace: &'a str,
     pub kind: &'a str,
@@ -68,16 +175,8 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: AddArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) -> Res
 
     tracing::debug!(args.namespace, args.kind, args.name, "upserting record");
 
-    let meta_keys: Vec<&str> = args
+    let meta_keys = collect_key_paths(args.meta_entries)?;
-        .meta_entries
+    let secret_keys = collect_key_paths(args.secret_entries)?;
-        .iter()
-        .filter_map(|s| s.split_once(['=', ':']).map(|(k, _)| k))
-        .collect();
-    let secret_keys: Vec<&str> = args
-        .secret_entries
-        .iter()
-        .filter_map(|s| s.split_once(['=', ':']).map(|(k, _)| k))
-        .collect();
 
     let mut tx = pool.begin().await?;
 
@@ -191,3 +290,77 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: AddArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) -> Res
 
     Ok(())
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::{build_json, key_path_to_string, parse_kv, remove_path};
+    use serde_json::Value;
+    use std::fs;
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
+    use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+
+    fn temp_file_path(name: &str) -> PathBuf {
+        let nanos = SystemTime::now()
+            .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .expect("clock should be after unix epoch")
+            .as_nanos();
+        std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("secrets-{name}-{nanos}.txt"))
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_nested_file_shorthand() {
+        let path = temp_file_path("ssh-key");
+        fs::write(&path, "line1\nline2\n").expect("should write temp file");
+
+        let entry = format!("credentials:content@{}", path.display());
+        let (path_parts, value) = parse_kv(&entry).expect("should parse nested file shorthand");
+
+        assert_eq!(key_path_to_string(&path_parts), "credentials:content");
+        assert_eq!(value, serde_json::Value::String("line1\nline2\n".into()));
+
+        fs::remove_file(path).expect("should remove temp file");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn build_nested_json_from_mixed_entries() {
+        let payload = vec![
+            "credentials:type=ssh".to_string(),
+            "credentials:enabled:=true".to_string(),
+            "username=root".to_string(),
+        ];
+
+        let value = build_json(&payload).expect("should build nested json");
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            value,
+            serde_json::json!({
+                "credentials": {
+                    "type": "ssh",
+                    "enabled": true
+                },
+                "username": "root"
+            })
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn remove_nested_path_prunes_empty_parents() {
+        let mut value = serde_json::json!({
+            "credentials": {
+                "content": "pem-data"
+            },
+            "username": "root"
+        });
+
+        let map = match &mut value {
+            Value::Object(map) => map,
+            _ => panic!("expected object"),
+        };
+
+        let removed = remove_path(map, &["credentials".to_string(), "content".to_string()])
+            .expect("should remove nested field");
+
+        assert!(removed);
+        assert_eq!(value, serde_json::json!({ "username": "root" }));
+    }
+}

src/commands/rollback.rs

@@ -3,17 +3,11 @@ use serde_json::{Value, json};
 use sqlx::{FromRow, PgPool};
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
-use crate::output::OutputMode;
+use crate::output::{OutputMode, format_local_time};
 
 #[derive(FromRow)]
 struct HistoryRow {
     secret_id: Uuid,
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
-    namespace: String,
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
-    kind: String,
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
-    name: String,
     version: i64,
     action: String,
     tags: Vec<String>,
@@ -33,7 +27,7 @@ pub struct RollbackArgs<'a> {
 pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: RollbackArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) -> Result<()> {
     let snap: Option<HistoryRow> = if let Some(ver) = args.to_version {
         sqlx::query_as(
-            "SELECT secret_id, namespace, kind, name, version, action, tags, metadata, encrypted \
+            "SELECT secret_id, version, action, tags, metadata, encrypted \
              FROM secrets_history \
              WHERE namespace = $1 AND kind = $2 AND name = $3 AND version = $4 \
              ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1",
@@ -46,7 +40,7 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: RollbackArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) -
         .await?
     } else {
         sqlx::query_as(
-            "SELECT secret_id, namespace, kind, name, version, action, tags, metadata, encrypted \
+            "SELECT secret_id, version, action, tags, metadata, encrypted \
              FROM secrets_history \
              WHERE namespace = $1 AND kind = $2 AND name = $3 \
              ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1",
@@ -234,7 +228,7 @@ pub async fn list_history(
                     r.version,
                     r.action,
                     r.actor,
-                    r.created_at.format("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S UTC")
+                    format_local_time(r.created_at)
                 );
             }
             println!("  (use `secrets rollback --to-version <N>` to restore)");

src/commands/run.rs

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use serde_json::Value;
 use sqlx::PgPool;
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 
-use crate::commands::search::build_env_map;
+use crate::commands::search::build_injected_env_map;
 use crate::output::OutputMode;
 
 pub struct InjectArgs<'a> {
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ pub async fn collect_env_map(
     }
     let mut map = HashMap::new();
     for row in &rows {
-        let row_map = build_env_map(row, prefix, Some(master_key))?;
+        let row_map = build_injected_env_map(row, prefix, master_key)?;
         for (k, v) in row_map {
             map.insert(k, v);
         }

src/commands/search.rs

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 use crate::crypto;
 use crate::models::Secret;
-use crate::output::OutputMode;
+use crate::output::{OutputMode, format_local_time};
 
 pub struct SearchArgs<'a> {
     pub namespace: Option<&'a str>,
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ pub struct SearchArgs<'a> {
     pub output: OutputMode,
 }
 
-pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: SearchArgs<'_>, master_key: Option<&[u8; 32]>) -> Result<()> {
+pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: SearchArgs<'_>) -> Result<()> {
+    validate_safe_search_args(args.show_secrets, args.fields)?;
+
     let rows = fetch_rows_paged(
         pool,
         PagedFetchArgs {
@@ -40,15 +42,12 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: SearchArgs<'_>, master_key: Option<&[u8; 3
 
     // -f/--field: extract specific field values directly
     if !args.fields.is_empty() {
-        return print_fields(&rows, args.fields, master_key);
+        return print_fields(&rows, args.fields);
     }
 
     match args.output {
         OutputMode::Json | OutputMode::JsonCompact => {
-            let arr: Vec<Value> = rows
+            let arr: Vec<Value> = rows.iter().map(|r| to_json(r, args.summary)).collect();
-                .iter()
-                .map(|r| to_json(r, args.show_secrets, args.summary, master_key))
-                .collect();
             let out = if args.output == OutputMode::Json {
                 serde_json::to_string_pretty(&arr)?
             } else {
@@ -56,31 +55,13 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: SearchArgs<'_>, master_key: Option<&[u8; 3
             };
             println!("{}", out);
         }
-        OutputMode::Env => {
-            if rows.len() > 1 {
-                anyhow::bail!(
-                    "env output requires exactly one record; got {}. Add more filters.",
-                    rows.len()
-                );
-            }
-            if let Some(row) = rows.first() {
-                let map = build_env_map(row, "", master_key)?;
-                let mut pairs: Vec<(String, String)> = map.into_iter().collect();
-                pairs.sort_by(|a, b| a.0.cmp(&b.0));
-                for (k, v) in pairs {
-                    println!("{}={}", k, shell_quote(&v));
-                }
-            } else {
-                eprintln!("No records found.");
-            }
-        }
         OutputMode::Text => {
             if rows.is_empty() {
                 println!("No records found.");
                 return Ok(());
             }
             for row in &rows {
-                print_text(row, args.show_secrets, args.summary, master_key)?;
+                print_text(row, args.summary)?;
             }
             println!("{} record(s) found.", rows.len());
             if rows.len() == args.limit as usize {
@@ -96,6 +77,30 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: SearchArgs<'_>, master_key: Option<&[u8; 3
     Ok(())
 }
 
+fn validate_safe_search_args(show_secrets: bool, fields: &[String]) -> Result<()> {
+    if show_secrets {
+        anyhow::bail!(
+            "`search` no longer reveals secrets. Use `secrets inject` or `secrets run` instead."
+        );
+    }
+
+    if let Some(field) = fields.iter().find(|field| is_secret_field(field)) {
+        anyhow::bail!(
+            "Field '{}' is sensitive. `search -f` only supports metadata.* fields; use `secrets inject` or `secrets run` for secrets.",
+            field
+        );
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn is_secret_field(field: &str) -> bool {
+    matches!(
+        field.split_once('.').map(|(section, _)| section),
+        Some("secret" | "secrets" | "encrypted")
+    )
+}
+
 /// Fetch rows with simple equality/tag filters (no pagination). Used by inject/run.
 pub async fn fetch_rows(
     pool: &PgPool,
@@ -218,16 +223,9 @@ async fn fetch_rows_paged(pool: &PgPool, a: PagedFetchArgs<'_>) -> Result<Vec<Se
     Ok(rows)
 }
 
-/// Build a flat `KEY=VALUE` map from a record's metadata and decrypted secrets.
+fn env_prefix(row: &Secret, prefix: &str) -> String {
-/// Variable names: `<PREFIX><NAME>_<FIELD>` (all uppercased, hyphens/dots → underscores).
-/// If `prefix` is empty, the name segment alone is used as the prefix.
-pub fn build_env_map(
-    row: &Secret,
-    prefix: &str,
-    master_key: Option<&[u8; 32]>,
-) -> Result<HashMap<String, String>> {
     let name_part = row.name.to_uppercase().replace(['-', '.', ' '], "_");
-    let effective_prefix = if prefix.is_empty() {
+    if prefix.is_empty() {
         name_part
     } else {
         format!(
@@ -235,7 +233,14 @@ pub fn build_env_map(
             prefix.to_uppercase().replace(['-', '.', ' '], "_"),
             name_part
         )
-    };
+    }
+}
+
+/// Build a flat `KEY=VALUE` map from metadata only.
+/// Variable names: `<PREFIX><NAME>_<FIELD>` (all uppercased, hyphens/dots → underscores).
+/// If `prefix` is empty, the name segment alone is used as the prefix.
+pub fn build_metadata_env_map(row: &Secret, prefix: &str) -> HashMap<String, String> {
+    let effective_prefix = env_prefix(row, prefix);
 
     let mut map = HashMap::new();
 
@@ -250,9 +255,19 @@ pub fn build_env_map(
         }
     }
 
-    if let Some(master_key) = master_key
+    map
-        && !row.encrypted.is_empty()
+}
-    {
+
+/// Build a flat `KEY=VALUE` map from metadata and decrypted secrets.
+pub fn build_injected_env_map(
+    row: &Secret,
+    prefix: &str,
+    master_key: &[u8; 32],
+) -> Result<HashMap<String, String>> {
+    let effective_prefix = env_prefix(row, prefix);
+    let mut map = build_metadata_env_map(row, prefix);
+
+    if !row.encrypted.is_empty() {
         let decrypted = crypto::decrypt_json(master_key, &row.encrypted)?;
         if let Some(enc) = decrypted.as_object() {
             for (k, v) in enc {
@@ -269,12 +284,6 @@ pub fn build_env_map(
     Ok(map)
 }
 
-/// Quote a value for safe shell / env output. Wraps in single quotes,
-/// escaping any single quotes within the value.
-fn shell_quote(s: &str) -> String {
-    format!("'{}'", s.replace('\'', "'\\''"))
-}
-
 /// Convert a JSON value to its string representation suitable for env vars.
 fn json_value_to_env_string(v: &Value) -> String {
     match v {
@@ -284,23 +293,7 @@ fn json_value_to_env_string(v: &Value) -> String {
     }
 }
 
-/// Decrypt the encrypted blob for a row. Returns an empty object on empty blobs.
+fn to_json(row: &Secret, summary: bool) -> Value {
-fn try_decrypt(row: &Secret, master_key: Option<&[u8; 32]>) -> Result<Value> {
-    if row.encrypted.is_empty() {
-        return Ok(Value::Object(Default::default()));
-    }
-    let key = master_key.ok_or_else(|| {
-        anyhow::anyhow!("master key required to decrypt secrets (run `secrets init`)")
-    })?;
-    crypto::decrypt_json(key, &row.encrypted)
-}
-
-fn to_json(
-    row: &Secret,
-    show_secrets: bool,
-    summary: bool,
-    master_key: Option<&[u8; 32]>,
-) -> Value {
     if summary {
         let desc = row
             .metadata
@@ -319,11 +312,8 @@ fn to_json(
         });
     }
 
-    let secrets_val = if show_secrets {
+    let secrets_val = if row.encrypted.is_empty() {
-        match try_decrypt(row, master_key) {
+        Value::Object(Default::default())
-            Ok(v) => v,
-            Err(e) => json!({"_error": e.to_string()}),
-        }
     } else {
         json!({"_encrypted": true})
     };
@@ -342,12 +332,7 @@ fn to_json(
     })
 }
 
-fn print_text(
+fn print_text(row: &Secret, summary: bool) -> Result<()> {
-    row: &Secret,
-    show_secrets: bool,
-    summary: bool,
-    master_key: Option<&[u8; 32]>,
-) -> Result<()> {
     println!("[{}/{}] {}", row.namespace, row.kind, row.name);
     if summary {
         let desc = row
@@ -360,10 +345,7 @@ fn print_text(
             println!("  tags:    [{}]", row.tags.join(", "));
         }
         println!("  desc:    {}", desc);
-        println!(
+        println!("  updated: {}", format_local_time(row.updated_at));
-            "  updated: {}",
-            row.updated_at.format("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S UTC")
-        );
     } else {
         println!("  id:       {}", row.id);
         if !row.tags.is_empty() {
@@ -376,61 +358,33 @@ fn print_text(
             );
         }
         if !row.encrypted.is_empty() {
-            if show_secrets {
+            println!("  secrets:  [encrypted]  (use `secrets inject` or `secrets run`)");
-                match try_decrypt(row, master_key) {
-                    Ok(v) => println!("  secrets:  {}", serde_json::to_string_pretty(&v)?),
-                    Err(e) => println!("  secrets:  [decrypt error: {}]", e),
-                }
-            } else {
-                println!("  secrets:  [encrypted]  (--show-secrets to reveal)");
-            }
         }
-        println!(
+        println!("  created:  {}", format_local_time(row.created_at));
-            "  created:  {}",
-            row.created_at.format("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S UTC")
-        );
     }
     println!();
     Ok(())
 }
 
-/// Extract one or more field paths like `metadata.url` or `secret.token`.
+/// Extract one or more field paths like `metadata.url`.
-fn print_fields(rows: &[Secret], fields: &[String], master_key: Option<&[u8; 32]>) -> Result<()> {
+fn print_fields(rows: &[Secret], fields: &[String]) -> Result<()> {
     for row in rows {
-        let decrypted: Option<Value> = if fields
-            .iter()
-            .any(|f| f.starts_with("secret") || f.starts_with("encrypted"))
-        {
-            Some(try_decrypt(row, master_key)?)
-        } else {
-            None
-        };
-
         for field in fields {
-            let val = extract_field(row, field, decrypted.as_ref())?;
+            let val = extract_field(row, field)?;
             println!("{}", val);
         }
     }
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn extract_field(row: &Secret, field: &str, decrypted: Option<&Value>) -> Result<String> {
+fn extract_field(row: &Secret, field: &str) -> Result<String> {
-    let (section, key) = field.split_once('.').ok_or_else(|| {
+    let (section, key) = field
-        anyhow::anyhow!(
+        .split_once('.')
-            "Invalid field path '{}'. Use metadata.<key> or secret.<key>",
+        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("Invalid field path '{}'. Use metadata.<key>.", field))?;
-            field
-        )
-    })?;
 
     let obj = match section {
         "metadata" | "meta" => &row.metadata,
-        "secret" | "secrets" | "encrypted" => {
+        other => anyhow::bail!("Unknown field section '{}'. Use 'metadata'.", other),
-            decrypted.ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("secret field requires master key"))?
-        }
-        other => anyhow::bail!(
-            "Unknown field section '{}'. Use 'metadata' or 'secret'",
-            other
-        ),
     };
 
     obj.get(key)
@@ -449,3 +403,70 @@ fn extract_field(row: &Secret, field: &str, decrypted: Option<&Value>) -> Result
             )
         })
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use chrono::Utc;
+    use serde_json::json;
+    use uuid::Uuid;
+
+    fn sample_secret() -> Secret {
+        let key = [0x42u8; 32];
+        let encrypted = crypto::encrypt_json(&key, &json!({"token": "abc123"})).unwrap();
+
+        Secret {
+            id: Uuid::nil(),
+            namespace: "refining".to_string(),
+            kind: "service".to_string(),
+            name: "gitea.main".to_string(),
+            tags: vec!["prod".to_string()],
+            metadata: json!({"url": "https://gitea.refining.dev", "enabled": true}),
+            encrypted,
+            version: 1,
+            created_at: Utc::now(),
+            updated_at: Utc::now(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rejects_show_secrets_flag() {
+        let err = validate_safe_search_args(true, &[]).unwrap_err();
+        assert!(err.to_string().contains("no longer reveals secrets"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rejects_secret_field_extraction() {
+        let fields = vec!["secret.token".to_string()];
+        let err = validate_safe_search_args(false, &fields).unwrap_err();
+        assert!(err.to_string().contains("sensitive"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn metadata_env_map_excludes_secret_values() {
+        let row = sample_secret();
+        let map = build_metadata_env_map(&row, "");
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            map.get("GITEA_MAIN_URL").map(String::as_str),
+            Some("https://gitea.refining.dev")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            map.get("GITEA_MAIN_ENABLED").map(String::as_str),
+            Some("true")
+        );
+        assert!(!map.contains_key("GITEA_MAIN_TOKEN"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn injected_env_map_includes_secret_values() {
+        let row = sample_secret();
+        let key = [0x42u8; 32];
+        let map = build_injected_env_map(&row, "", &key).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            map.get("GITEA_MAIN_TOKEN").map(String::as_str),
+            Some("abc123")
+        );
+    }
+}

src/commands/update.rs

@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@ use serde_json::{Map, Value, json};
 use sqlx::{FromRow, PgPool};
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
-use super::add::parse_kv;
+use super::add::{
+    collect_field_paths, collect_key_paths, insert_path, parse_key_path, parse_kv, remove_path,
+};
 use crate::crypto;
 use crate::db;
 use crate::output::OutputMode;
@@ -89,11 +91,12 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: UpdateArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) ->
         _ => Map::new(),
     };
     for entry in args.meta_entries {
-        let (key, value) = parse_kv(entry)?;
+        let (path, value) = parse_kv(entry)?;
-        meta_map.insert(key, value);
+        insert_path(&mut meta_map, &path, value)?;
     }
     for key in args.remove_meta {
-        meta_map.remove(key);
+        let path = parse_key_path(key)?;
+        remove_path(&mut meta_map, &path)?;
     }
     let metadata = Value::Object(meta_map);
 
@@ -108,11 +111,12 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: UpdateArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) ->
         _ => Map::new(),
     };
     for entry in args.secret_entries {
-        let (key, value) = parse_kv(entry)?;
+        let (path, value) = parse_kv(entry)?;
-        enc_map.insert(key, value);
+        insert_path(&mut enc_map, &path, value)?;
     }
     for key in args.remove_secrets {
-        enc_map.remove(key);
+        let path = parse_key_path(key)?;
+        remove_path(&mut enc_map, &path)?;
     }
     let secret_json = Value::Object(enc_map);
     let encrypted_bytes = crypto::encrypt_json(master_key, &secret_json)?;
@@ -148,16 +152,10 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: UpdateArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) ->
         );
     }
 
-    let meta_keys: Vec<&str> = args
+    let meta_keys = collect_key_paths(args.meta_entries)?;
-        .meta_entries
+    let remove_meta_keys = collect_field_paths(args.remove_meta)?;
-        .iter()
+    let secret_keys = collect_key_paths(args.secret_entries)?;
-        .filter_map(|s| s.split_once(['=', ':']).map(|(k, _)| k))
+    let remove_secret_keys = collect_field_paths(args.remove_secrets)?;
-        .collect();
-    let secret_keys: Vec<&str> = args
-        .secret_entries
-        .iter()
-        .filter_map(|s| s.split_once(['=', ':']).map(|(k, _)| k))
-        .collect();
 
     crate::audit::log_tx(
         &mut tx,
@@ -169,9 +167,9 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: UpdateArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) ->
             "add_tags": args.add_tags,
             "remove_tags": args.remove_tags,
             "meta_keys": meta_keys,
-            "remove_meta": args.remove_meta,
+            "remove_meta": remove_meta_keys,
             "secret_keys": secret_keys,
-            "remove_secrets": args.remove_secrets,
+            "remove_secrets": remove_secret_keys,
         }),
     )
     .await;
@@ -186,9 +184,9 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: UpdateArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) ->
         "add_tags": args.add_tags,
         "remove_tags": args.remove_tags,
         "meta_keys": meta_keys,
-        "remove_meta": args.remove_meta,
+        "remove_meta": remove_meta_keys,
         "secret_keys": secret_keys,
-        "remove_secrets": args.remove_secrets,
+        "remove_secrets": remove_secret_keys,
     });
 
     match args.output {
@@ -210,13 +208,13 @@ pub async fn run(pool: &PgPool, args: UpdateArgs<'_>, master_key: &[u8; 32]) ->
                 println!("  +metadata: {}", meta_keys.join(", "));
             }
             if !args.remove_meta.is_empty() {
-                println!("  -metadata: {}", args.remove_meta.join(", "));
+                println!("  -metadata: {}", remove_meta_keys.join(", "));
             }
             if !args.secret_entries.is_empty() {
                 println!("  +secrets:  {}", secret_keys.join(", "));
             }
             if !args.remove_secrets.is_empty() {
-                println!("  -secrets:  {}", args.remove_secrets.join(", "));
+                println!("  -secrets:  {}", remove_secret_keys.join(", "));
             }
         }
     }

src/crypto.rs

@@ -105,15 +105,6 @@ pub fn store_master_key(key: &[u8; 32]) -> Result<()> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-/// Delete the Master Key from the OS Keychain (used by tests / reset).
-#[cfg(test)]
-pub fn delete_master_key() -> Result<()> {
-    let entry =
-        keyring::Entry::new(KEYRING_SERVICE, KEYRING_USER).context("create keychain entry")?;
-    let _ = entry.delete_credential();
-    Ok(())
-}
-
 // ─── Minimal hex helpers (avoid extra dep) ────────────────────────────────────
 
 mod hex {

src/main.rs

@@ -28,13 +28,16 @@ use output::resolve_output_mode;
   secrets search --summary --limit 20
 
   # Precise lookup (JSON output for easy parsing)
-  secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json --show-secrets
+  secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json
 
-  # Extract a single field value directly
+  # Extract a single metadata field directly
-  secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f secret.token
+  secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f metadata.url
 
   # Pipe-friendly (non-TTY defaults to json-compact automatically)
-  secrets search -n refining --kind service | jq '.[].name'"
+  secrets search -n refining --kind service | jq '.[].name'
+
+  # Inject secrets into environment variables when you really need them
+  secrets inject -n refining --kind service --name gitea"
 )]
 struct Cli {
     /// Database URL, overrides saved config (one-time override)
@@ -82,10 +85,28 @@ EXAMPLES:
     -m url=https://gitea.refining.dev -m default_org=refining \\
     -s token=<token>
 
+  # Add typed JSON metadata
+  secrets add -n refining --kind service --name gitea \\
+    -m port:=3000 \\
+    -m enabled:=true \\
+    -m domains:='[\"gitea.refining.dev\",\"git.refining.dev\"]' \\
+    -m tls:='{\"enabled\":true,\"redirect_http\":true}'
+
   # Add with token read from a file
   secrets add -n ricnsmart --kind service --name mqtt \\
     -m host=mqtt.ricnsmart.com -m port=1883 \\
-    -s password=@./mqtt_password.txt")]
+    -s password=@./mqtt_password.txt
+
+  # Add typed JSON secrets
+  secrets add -n refining --kind service --name deploy-bot \\
+    -s enabled:=true \\
+    -s retry_count:=3 \\
+    -s scopes:='[\"repo\",\"workflow\"]' \\
+    -s extra:='{\"region\":\"ap-east-1\",\"verify_tls\":true}'
+
+  # Write a multiline file into a nested secret field
+  secrets add -n refining --kind server --name my-server \\
+    -s credentials:content@./keys/server.pem")]
     Add {
         /// Namespace, e.g. refining, ricnsmart
         #[arg(short, long)]
@@ -99,13 +120,13 @@ EXAMPLES:
         /// Tag for categorization (repeatable), e.g. --tag aliyun --tag hongkong
         #[arg(long = "tag")]
         tags: Vec<String>,
-        /// Plaintext metadata: key=value (repeatable; value=@file reads from file)
+        /// Plaintext metadata: key=value, key:=<json>, key=@file, or nested:path@file
         #[arg(long = "meta", short = 'm')]
         meta: Vec<String>,
-        /// Secret entry: key=value (repeatable; value=@file reads from file)
+        /// Secret entry: key=value, key:=<json>, key=@file, or nested:path@file
         #[arg(long = "secret", short = 's')]
         secrets: Vec<String>,
-        /// Output format: text (default on TTY), json, json-compact, env
+        /// Output format: text (default on TTY), json, json-compact
         #[arg(short, long = "output")]
         output: Option<String>,
     },
@@ -114,7 +135,7 @@ EXAMPLES:
     ///
     /// Supports fuzzy search (-q), exact lookup (--name), field extraction (-f),
     /// summary view (--summary), pagination (--limit / --offset), and structured
-    /// output (-o json / json-compact / env). When stdout is not a TTY, output
+    /// output (-o json / json-compact). When stdout is not a TTY, output
     /// defaults to json-compact automatically.
     #[command(after_help = "EXAMPLES:
   # Discover all records (summary, safe default limit)
@@ -129,19 +150,16 @@ EXAMPLES:
   # Fuzzy keyword search (matches name, namespace, kind, tags, metadata)
   secrets search -q mqtt
 
-  # Extract a single field value (implies --show-secrets for secret.*)
+  # Extract a single metadata field value
-  secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f secret.token
   secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -f metadata.url
 
   # Multiple fields at once
   secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea \\
-    -f metadata.url -f metadata.default_org -f secret.token
+    -f metadata.url -f metadata.default_org
 
-  # Full JSON output with secrets revealed (ideal for AI parsing)
+  # Inject decrypted secrets only when needed
-  secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o json --show-secrets
+  secrets inject -n refining --kind service --name gitea
-
+  secrets run -n refining --kind service --name gitea -- printenv
-  # Export as env vars (source-able; single record only)
-  secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea -o env --show-secrets
 
   # Paginate large result sets
   secrets search -n refining --summary --limit 10 --offset 0
@@ -151,8 +169,7 @@ EXAMPLES:
   secrets search --sort updated --limit 5 --summary
 
   # Non-TTY / pipe: output is json-compact by default
-  secrets search -n refining --kind service | jq '.[].name'
+  secrets search -n refining --kind service | jq '.[].name'")]
-  secrets search -n refining --kind service --name gitea --show-secrets | jq '.secrets.token'")]
     Search {
         /// Filter by namespace, e.g. refining, ricnsmart
         #[arg(short, long)]
@@ -169,10 +186,10 @@ EXAMPLES:
         /// Fuzzy keyword (matches name, namespace, kind, tags, metadata text)
         #[arg(short, long)]
         query: Option<String>,
-        /// Reveal encrypted secret values in output
+        /// Deprecated: search never reveals secrets; use inject/run instead
         #[arg(long)]
         show_secrets: bool,
-        /// Extract field value(s) directly: metadata.<key> or secret.<key> (repeatable)
+        /// Extract metadata field value(s) directly: metadata.<key> (repeatable)
         #[arg(short = 'f', long = "field")]
         fields: Vec<String>,
         /// Return lightweight summary only (namespace, kind, name, tags, desc, updated_at)
@@ -187,7 +204,7 @@ EXAMPLES:
         /// Sort order: name (default), updated, created
         #[arg(long, default_value = "name")]
         sort: String,
-        /// Output format: text (default on TTY), json, json-compact, env
+        /// Output format: text (default on TTY), json, json-compact
         #[arg(short, long = "output")]
         output: Option<String>,
     },
@@ -225,6 +242,11 @@ EXAMPLES:
   # Rotate a secret token
   secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea -s token=<new-token>
 
+  # Update typed JSON metadata
+  secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea \\
+    -m deploy:strategy:='{\"type\":\"rolling\",\"batch\":2}' \\
+    -m runtime:max_open_conns:=20
+
   # Add a tag and rotate password at the same time
   secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea \\
     --add-tag production -s token=<new-token>
@@ -233,8 +255,21 @@ EXAMPLES:
   secrets update -n refining --kind service --name mqtt \\
     --remove-meta old_port --remove-secret old_password
 
+  # Remove a nested field
+  secrets update -n refining --kind server --name my-server \\
+    --remove-secret credentials:content
+
   # Remove a tag
-  secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea --remove-tag staging")]
+  secrets update -n refining --kind service --name gitea --remove-tag staging
+
+  # Update a nested secret field from a file
+  secrets update -n refining --kind server --name my-server \\
+    -s credentials:content@./keys/server.pem
+
+  # Update nested typed JSON fields
+  secrets update -n refining --kind service --name deploy-bot \\
+    -s auth:config:='{\"issuer\":\"gitea\",\"rotate\":true}' \\
+    -s auth:retry:=5")]
     Update {
         /// Namespace, e.g. refining, ricnsmart
         #[arg(short, long)]
@@ -251,16 +286,16 @@ EXAMPLES:
         /// Remove a tag (repeatable)
         #[arg(long = "remove-tag")]
         remove_tags: Vec<String>,
-        /// Set or overwrite a metadata field: key=value (repeatable, @file supported)
+        /// Set or overwrite a metadata field: key=value, key:=<json>, key=@file, or nested:path@file
         #[arg(long = "meta", short = 'm')]
         meta: Vec<String>,
-        /// Delete a metadata field by key (repeatable)
+        /// Delete a metadata field by key or nested path, e.g. old_port or credentials:content
         #[arg(long = "remove-meta")]
         remove_meta: Vec<String>,
-        /// Set or overwrite a secret field: key=value (repeatable, @file supported)
+        /// Set or overwrite a secret field: key=value, key:=<json>, key=@file, or nested:path@file
         #[arg(long = "secret", short = 's')]
         secrets: Vec<String>,
-        /// Delete a secret field by key (repeatable)
+        /// Delete a secret field by key or nested path, e.g. old_password or credentials:content
         #[arg(long = "remove-secret")]
         remove_secrets: Vec<String>,
         /// Output format: text (default on TTY), json, json-compact
@@ -501,9 +536,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             sort,
             output,
         } => {
-            let master_key = crypto::load_master_key()?;
             let _span = tracing::info_span!("cmd", command = "search").entered();
-            let show = show_secrets || fields.iter().any(|f| f.starts_with("secret"));
             let out = resolve_output_mode(output.as_deref())?;
             commands::search::run(
                 &pool,
@@ -513,7 +546,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
                     name: name.as_deref(),
                     tags: &tag,
                     query: query.as_deref(),
-                    show_secrets: show,
+                    show_secrets,
                     fields: &fields,
                     summary,
                     limit,
@@ -521,7 +554,6 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
                     sort: &sort,
                     output: out,
                 },
-                Some(&master_key),
             )
             .await?;
         }

src/output.rs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use chrono::{DateTime, Local, Utc};
 use std::io::IsTerminal;
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
@@ -11,8 +12,6 @@ pub enum OutputMode {
     Json,
     /// Single-line JSON (default when stdout is NOT a TTY, e.g. piped to jq)
     JsonCompact,
-    /// KEY=VALUE pairs suitable for `source` or `.env` files
-    Env,
 }
 
 impl FromStr for OutputMode {
@@ -23,9 +22,8 @@ impl FromStr for OutputMode {
             "text" => Ok(Self::Text),
             "json" => Ok(Self::Json),
             "json-compact" => Ok(Self::JsonCompact),
-            "env" => Ok(Self::Env),
             other => Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
-                "Unknown output format '{}'. Valid: text, json, json-compact, env",
+                "Unknown output format '{}'. Valid: text, json, json-compact",
                 other
             )),
         }
@@ -45,3 +43,10 @@ pub fn resolve_output_mode(explicit: Option<&str>) -> anyhow::Result<OutputMode>
         Ok(OutputMode::JsonCompact)
     }
 }
+
+/// Format a UTC timestamp for local human-readable output.
+pub fn format_local_time(dt: DateTime<Utc>) -> String {
+    dt.with_timezone(&Local)
+        .format("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S %:z")
+        .to_string()
+}