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Creating a Keypair

Overview​

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create your Gno keypair using gnokey.

Keypairs are the foundation of how users interact with blockchains; and Gno is no exception. By using a 12-word or 24-word mnemonic phrase as a source of randomness, users can derive a private and a public key. These two keys can then be used further; a public key derives an address which is a unique identifier of a user on the blockchain, while a private key is used for signing messages and transactions for the aforementioned address, proving a user has ownership over it.

Let's see how we can use gnokey to generate a Gno keypair locally.

Generating a keypair​

The gnokey add command allows you to generate a new keypair locally. Simply run the command, while adding a name for your keypair:

gnokey add MyKey

gnokey-add-random

After running the command, gnokey will ask you to enter a password that will be used to encrypt your keypair to the disk. Then, it will show you the following information:

  • Your public key, as well as the Gno address derived from it, starting with g1...,
  • Your randomly generated 12-word mnemonic phrase which was used to derive the keypair.
Safeguard your mnemonic phrase!

A mnemonic phrase is like your master password; you can use it over and over to derive the same keypairs. This is why it is crucial to store it in a safe, offline place - writing the phrase on a piece of paper and hiding it is highly recommended. If it gets lost, it is unrecoverable.

gnokey will generate a keybase in which it will store information about your keypairs. The keybase directory path is stored under the -home flag in gnokey.

Gno addresses​

Your Gno address is like your unique identifier on the network; an address is visible in the caller stack of an application, it is included in each transaction you create with your keypair, and anyone who knows your address can send you coins, etc.

Conclusion​

That's it 🎉

You've successfully created your first Gno keypair. Check out Browsing gno.land and Interacting with gno.land to see how you can use it.

If you wish to learn more about gnokey specifically, check out the gnokey section.