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+# Image Signature Specification
+
+**Version 0.1**
+
+## Introduction
+
+This document defines a detached container image signature object and signing methods.
+
+## Signature Format
+
+```js
+{
+    "critical": {/* required fields */
+        "identity": {/* identity reference */},
+        "image": {/* signed object reference */ },
+        "type": "..."
+    },
+    "optional": {/* optional metadata fields */}
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Fields
+
+There are two top-level fields, **critical** (required) and **optional** (optional).
+
+#### `critical`
+
+**identity** (string):
+
+```js
+{
+    "docker-reference": imageName
+}
+```
+
+`imageName` per [V2 API](https://docs.docker.com/registry/spec/api/#/overview) Required.
+
+**image** (string):
+
+```js
+{
+    "docker-manifest-digest": manifestDigest
+}
+```
+
+`manifestDigest` in the form of `<algorithm>:<hashValue>`
+
+**type** (string): Only supported value is "atomic container signature"
+
+#### `optional`
+
+**creator** (string): Creator ID. This refers to the tooling used to generate the signature.
+
+**timestamp** (int64): timestamp epoch
+
+### Example
+
+```js
+{
+    "critical": {
+        "identity": {
+            "docker-reference": "busybox"
+        },
+        "image": {
+            "docker-manifest-digest": "sha256:a59906e33509d14c036c8678d687bd4eec81ed7c4b8ce907b888c607f6a1e0e6"
+        },
+        "type": "atomic container signature"
+    },
+    "optional": {
+        "creator": "atomic 0.1.0-dev",
+        "timestamp": 1471035347
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Encryption and Decryption
+
+The signature data is written to a file that is encrypted and signed with a private key. The file may be decrypted (verified) using the corresponding public key.
+
+**Example GPG Sign command**
+
+Given signature file busybox.sig formatted per above:
+
+```
+$ gpg2 -r KEYID --encrypt --sign busybox.sig
+```
+
+**Example GPG Verify command**
+
+```
+$ gpg2 --decrypt busybox.sig.gpg
+```