This document discusses passwordless login using the unix_socket authentication plugin in MariaDB. It describes how unix_socket eliminates the need for root passwords by authenticating users via the Unix socket file. The unix_socket plugin is now enabled by default for new MariaDB installations in Debian unstable and will be in Ubuntu 15.10. While helpful for new installations, it will not be enabled by default for upgrades to avoid breaking existing password authentication. Contributions to further develop and integrate unix_socket are welcome.