When automating document processing pipelines or verifying 2FA setup QR code payload strings without a mobile phone, command-line utilities in Linux like zbarimg can decode QR codes and barcodes directly from PNG, JPG, or PDF image files.

Installing zbar-tools & Decoding QR Codes

Terminal Installation & Executionbash
# Install zbar CLI utilities on Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y zbar-tools
 
# Decode QR code image file
zbarimg --raw sample_qr.png
 
# Extract URL payload string from QR image
DECODED_URL=$(zbarimg --raw qr_code.jpg | tr -d '\n')
echo "Extracted Payload: ${DECODED_URL}"