@@ -24,7 +24,15 @@ A metaphor might help illustrate the relationship between these two systems: the
25Owners of Urbit identities need safeguards that allow for the use of Urbit without jeopardizing cryptographic ownership of their assets. Toward this end, we created the **Urbit Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) Wallet** for the storage of identities. The Urbit HD Wallet is not one key-pair, but a system of related key-pairs that each have distinct powers, from setting networking keys for communicating in the Arvo network to transferring ownership of identities.
25Owners of Urbit identities need safeguards that allow for the use of Urbit without jeopardizing cryptographic ownership of their assets. Toward this end, we created the **Urbit Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) Wallet** for the storage of identities. The Urbit HD Wallet is not one key-pair, but a system of related key-pairs that each have distinct powers, from setting networking keys for communicating in the Arvo network to transferring ownership of identities.
27−The Urbit HD Wallet's derivation paths have a hierarchical structure, so that keys with different powers can be physically separated. A \"master ticket" can re-derive the entire wallet in case of loss. The encryption and authentication keys that identities ships use to sign messages within the network are also derived from the wallet.
27+The Urbit HD Wallet's derivation paths have a hierarchical structure, so that
28+keys with different powers can be physically separated. A "master ticket" can
29+[re-derive the entire wallet](#hd-wallet-generation) in case of loss. The
30+encryption and authentication keys that identities ships use to sign messages
31+within the network are also derived from the wallet.
33+Another HD wallet option you may wish to utilize to store your Urbit are hardware
34+wallets such as Trezor or Ledger. We compare this method to the Urbit HD wallet
35+[below](#hardware-hd-wallet).
29Urbit HD wallets are composed of the following items, which are each assigned to their own individual Ethereum key-pairs.
37Urbit HD wallets are composed of the following items, which are each assigned to their own individual Ethereum key-pairs.
@@ -54,8 +62,28 @@ Proxy addresses allow you to execute non-ownership related actions like spawning
55 For stars and galaxies only. Can create new child identities.
63 For stars and galaxies only. Can create new child identities.
65+### HD wallet generation
67+Your Urbit HD wallet is generated from a `@q` seed called `T`, which looks
68+something like `~sampel-ticket-bucbel-sipnem`. This is the string known as your
69+"Master Ticket" that you input into Bridge to sign in. This is put through a
70+series of algorithms that ultimately generate your keys and the Ethereum addresses at which they are stored.
57
72
74+First, your `@q` is converted into a numeric value `E` as an intermediary step
75+by adding [salt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_(cryptography)). Then by
76+adding additional salts, `E` is converted into a set of BIP39 seed phrases -
77+these are 24 word mnemonic sequences used to generate Ethereum wallets. You end up
78+with one seed phrase for each proxy associated with your ship, and these seed
79+phrases are then used to generate Ethereum wallets.
81+One of the wallets will store your Azimuth point, an [ERC-721](#erc-721) token,
82+which will be known as your ownership address. Bridge then automatically uses
83+your ownership address to assign the other proxies to the other wallets
60Most Ethereum tokens use the ERC-20 standard for smart contracts. Urbit identities
88Most Ethereum tokens use the ERC-20 standard for smart contracts. Urbit identities
61are, however, essentially different from most Ethereum tokens, due to identities not
89are, however, essentially different from most Ethereum tokens, due to identities not
@@ -67,7 +95,7 @@ The ERC-721 standard, having been made specifically to provide a smart-contract
67interface for non-fungible assets, serves our needs well. This is the standard
95interface for non-fungible assets, serves our needs well. This is the standard
68that we use for deeding Urbit identities.
96that we use for deeding Urbit identities.
70−identities, and all of their blockchain operations, are governed by the Ecliptic.
98+Identities, and all of their blockchain operations, are governed by the Ecliptic.
71The Ecliptic is an Ethereum smart-contract that governs identity state and the
99The Ecliptic is an Ethereum smart-contract that governs identity state and the
72ownership, spawn, management, and voting rights affiliated with your identities.
100ownership, spawn, management, and voting rights affiliated with your identities.