Setup

There are 2 ways to use Instacrypt. The graphical user interface (GUI) app or the command line (CLI) utility, icc. The GUI app is designed for the average user while the CLI utility is designed for advanced users and developers.

IC Instacrypt App
To · Alice
Drop a file
IC Encrypt
App · GUI Point-and-click — for everyone
icc — zsh
$ icc encrypt report.pdf --to alice ✓ sealed → report.pdf.icfx $
icc · CLI Scriptable — for power users & devs
Same identities, same crypto — pick whichever fits the moment, or use both.

Instacrypt App

On first launch you pick one of three doors:

  • Set up with cloud (recommended) — choose what syncs, create your identity (optionally listed in the cloud directory so contacts can find you), compare plans (everyone starts Free), create the account, and verify the emailed code. Paid plans start checkout right after verification.
  • I have an account — log in on a new device; your first sync pulls contacts, settings, and (if enabled) identities.
  • Local only — create an identity and go. No account, nothing leaves your device. You can add cloud later from Settings → Cloud.

Your identity's key (private) is protected by your device keychain — or a passphrase where no keychain exists — and can additionally require a hardware key (e.g. YubiKey) tap.

Instacrypt CLI (icc)

# create your identity (lock + key)
icc identity create

# optional: cloud account
icc cloud signup            # or: icc cloud login
icc cloud enable contacts settings identities
icc cloud sync

Identity backup

It's important to backup your identity even if you sync it to Instacrypt Cloud.

app: In Settings → Identities, click on the 3 dot menu next to the identity and select "Backup identity"

icc: You will be prompted to backup after creating the identity. However, if you skip that prompt, you can always backup by running the command icc identity export

and that's it! You are pretty much all set to go!

Cloud sync

On the Instacrypt app, sync happens automatically every 15 minutes by default. You can change the interval setting in Settings → Cloud → Interval (Under the Auto-sync toggle).

For icc, user must manually sync by executing the following command until the Instacrypt agent is available: icc cloud sync

Devices

Settings → Cloud → Devices lists every signed-in session; log any of them out remotely (icc cloud sessions). Accounts hold up to 10 devices — contact support if you legitimately need more.

Two-factor & hardware keys

Email codes are on by default once verified; add an authenticator app or FIDO2 hardware keys in Settings → Cloud → Two-Factor Sign-In. Identities themselves can require a hardware-key tap to unlock.

Full profile backups

Settings → Advanced exports a passphrase-encrypted profile (all identities + contacts); paid cloud plans also back it up encrypted (icc cloud backup / restore).

Next: Usage →