built 3 min verified 503cd17 (2026-09-13)

Create your identity

An IdentiKey is a name plus a cryptographic key that you hold, not an account on someone's server. It lets people on the mesh recognize you, and lets mesh apps know it's you. It works with the internet unplugged.

Status: built. Deployed on the fleet.

Before you start: what kind of key this is

hello.mesh shows this notice, and it's worth reading:

Soft custody. A browser-created identity's key lives in this browser and can be read by whichever node is currently serving this page. It is not equivalent to an app or hardware key you alone hold. Fine for a disposable, low-value identity — never for anything you'd regret someone else touching.

Use it to be known on the mesh and to sign in to mesh apps. Don't use it to guard anything valuable.

Step 1: Introduce yourself

Do:

1. Open http://hello.mesh in your normal browser.
2. Tap Set up your identity.
3. Under Introduce yourself, type a name in Your name (up to 48 characters).
4. Tap Join.

Expect: the status changes to "Introducing you to the mesh — this takes up to about 20 seconds.", then "Syncing your name across the mesh…", then "You're <name> here".

If not:

• "Couldn't reach this node to announce you. Try again.": tap Join again.
• "Still introducing you — retrying." after a minute: the mesh is busy. Leave the page open; it keeps trying.
• A warning that you're "here by IP address": open http://hello.mesh instead of the numeric address, then start again.

Step 2: Save your recovery phrase now

The recovery phrase is your identity. If you clear your browser data, use private browsing, or lose the phone, the phrase is the only way back.

Do:

1. In the identity panel, tap Show recovery phrase.
2. Write the 24 words down on paper, in order.

Expect: 24 numbered words and the warning "Anyone with these words is you. Write them down offline. Never paste them into anything you don't trust."

Keep the phrase offline. Anyone who has it can act as you.

Step 3: Check that others can see you

Do: look at the People section, or ask someone nearby to look at theirs.

Expect: your name with a you badge on your screen, and your name with "here now" on theirs. It usually shows up everywhere in under a minute.

What gets shared

Your name and public key are visible to anyone on the mesh. Any web page on the mesh can read the directory. Pick a name you're happy to show.

Change or replace it later

You can't delete an identity from the mesh yet. Your name stays in the People list (folded under "Not seen recently" after 24 hours). If you stop using a key, that entry simply goes quiet.

Next: Sign in to mesh apps.