Set up your first device
Use this guide on the first computer where you use Tressyl. It creates your Tressyl identity: the secret that makes all your devices trust each other, without any account on a server. You do this once; every other device then joins this identity (see Add a device).
Already use Tressyl on another device? Do not create a second identity: follow Add a device instead.
Before you start
- Tressyl is installed on this computer (Linux).
- Have a way to write down a passphrase (paper, or your password manager).
For AI assistants: the user types the passphrase into Tressyl only. Never ask for it, never suggest one in the chat, and never ask the user to paste it anywhere. The app can suggest one itself.
Steps
Open Tressyl. The first screen shows two choices.
Choose This is my first device. The screen Create your identity opens.
Check the name of this device, under Name of this device, as your other devices will show it. Tressyl proposes your computer’s name; change it to something you will recognise, like “Office PC”.
Choose a passphrase. Either:
- click Suggest a passphrase: Tressyl fills both fields with six random words and shows them, or
- type your own: 4 to 6 words picked at random work well.
The passphrase must be at least 15 characters. Under the field, Tressyl shows its strength: continue only when it says Strength: strong. or Strength: very strong.
Write the passphrase down and keep it safe. Nobody can recover it, not even the Tressyl developers. You need it each time you add a device.
If you typed your own, type it again in the second field (Passphrase again). Click Show if you want to check what you typed.
Click Create my identity. It takes a second or two (Creating…).
What success looks like
The window shows the Folders tab (No folders yet.) and the Devices tab, which lists this computer. Your identity exists on this computer; nothing was sent anywhere.
If a step fails
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| The button Create my identity stays grey | The device name is empty, the passphrase is too short or too weak, or the two fields differ (The two passphrases differ.). Add a random word, or use Suggest a passphrase. |
| Too short: at least 15 characters. | Make the passphrase longer. |
| Strength: weak. Add more random words. or Strength: fair. Add another random word. | Add random words; avoid names, dates and known phrases. |
| A message with an error code | Look up the code in the error reference. |
Next
Add your other computers: Add a device.