# Sign in to Docker Desktop
Docker recommends signing in with the **Sign in** option in the top-right corner of the Docker Dashboard.
In large enterprises where admin access is restricted, administrators can [enforce sign-in](/enterprise/security/enforce-sign-in/).
> [!TIP]
>
> Explore [Docker's core subscriptions](https://www.docker.com/pricing/) to see what else Docker can offer you.
## Benefits of signing in
- Access your Docker Hub repositories directly from Docker Desktop.
- Increase your pull rate limit compared to anonymous users. See [Usage and limits](/docker-hub/usage/).
- Enhance your organization’s security posture for containerized development with [Hardened Desktop](/enterprise/security/hardened-desktop/).
> [!NOTE]
>
> Docker Desktop automatically signs you out after 90 days, or after 30 days of inactivity.
## Signing in with Docker Desktop for Linux
Docker Desktop for Linux relies on [`pass`](https://www.passwordstore.org/) to store credentials in GPG-encrypted files.
Before signing in to Docker Desktop with your [Docker ID](/accounts/create-account/), you must initialize `pass`.
Docker Desktop displays a warning if `pass` is not configured.
1. Generate a GPG key. You can initialize pass by using a gpg key. To generate a gpg key, run:
``` console
$ gpg --generate-key
```
2. Enter your name and email once prompted.
Once confirmed, GPG creates a key pair. Look for the `pub` line that contains your GPG ID, for example:
```text
...
pubrsa3072 2022-03-31 [SC] [expires: 2024-03-30]
3ABCD1234EF56G78
uid Molly
```
3. Copy the GPG ID and use it to initialize `pass`. For example
```console
$ pass init 3ABCD1234EF56G78
```
You should see output similar to:
```text
mkdir: created directory '/home/molly/.password-store/'
Password store initialized for
```
Once you initialize `pass`, you can sign in and pull your private images.
When Docker CLI or Docker Desktop use credentials, a user prompt may pop up for the password you set during the GPG key generation.
```console
$ docker pull molly/privateimage
Using default tag: latest
latest: Pulling from molly/privateimage
3b9cc81c3203: Pull complete
Digest: sha256:3c6b73ce467f04d4897d7a7439782721fd28ec9bf62ea2ad9e81a5fb7fb3ff96
Status: Downloaded newer image for molly/privateimage:latest
docker.io/molly/privateimage:latest
```
## What's next?
- [Explore Docker Desktop](/desktop/use-desktop/) and its features.
- Change your [Docker Desktop settings](/desktop/settings-and-maintenance/settings/).
- [Browse common FAQs](/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/general/).