Basics

Create, import, export and delete keys using the CLI keyring.

Create a new key

You can create a new key with the name demo-user as in the following example:

marsd keys add demo-user --coin-type 118

--coin-type is a parameter used when generating private keys from seed phrases, as defined in SLIP-0044. Most Cosmos chains use 118. For the sake of a better interchain UX, we recommend everyone use 118.

The following is an example response:

- name: demo-user

type: local

address: mars1quw5r22pxy8znjtdkgqc65atrm3x5hg6vycm5n

pubkey: marspub1addwnpepqdct05khsxvtaaj0stuvayrpw0j8t6styr7vu05k3y63d5540ftuz8x6tsq

mnemonic: ""

threshold: 0

pubkeys: []

**Important** write this mnemonic phrase in a safe place.

It is the only way to recover your account if you ever forget your password.

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WARNING

It is important that you keep the mnemonic for address secure, as there is no way to recover it. You would not be able to recover and access the funds in the wallet if you forget the mnemonic phrase.

Restore existing key by seed phrase

You can restore an existing key with the mnemonic.

$ marsd keys add demo-user_restore --recover

> Enter your bip39 mnemonic

## Enter your 24-word mnemonic here ##

List your keys

Multiple keys can be created when needed. You can list all keys saved under the storage path.

marsd keys list

The following is an example response:

- name: demo-user

type: local

address: ## Address of "Default" ##

pubkey: ## Pubkey of "Default" ##

mnemonic: ""

threshold: 0

pubkeys: []

- name: Default_restore

type: local

address: ## Address of "Default_restore" ##

pubkey: ## Pubkey of "Default_restore" ##

mnemonic: ""

threshold: 0

pubkeys: []

Retrieving key information

You can retrieve key information by its name:

# Account Address and its public key

$ marsd keys show demo-user --bech acc

# Validator Address and its public key

$ marsd keys show demo-user --bech val

# Consensus nodes Address and its public key

$ marsd keys show demo-user --bech cons

The following is an example response:

- name: demo-user

type: local

address: marscncl1zdlttjrqh9jsgk2l8tgn6f0kxlfy98s3prz35z

pubkey: marscnclpub1addwnpepq0ua07k8p3vrv5dap4pl77n4gjyyqsqrndzu0tdrr60ddhfg6ah0ck5ad5l

mnemonic: ""

threshold: 0

pubkeys: []

Delete a key

You can delete a key in your storage path.

WARNING

Make sure you have backed up the key mnemonic before removing any of your keys, as there will be no way to recover your key without the mnemonic.

$ marsd keys delete demo-user_restore1

Key reference will be deleted. Continue? [y/N]: y

Key deleted forever (uh oh!)

Export private keys

You can export and backup your key by using the export subcommand:

$ marsd keys export demo-user

Enter passphrase to encrypt the exported key: ## Insert passphrase (must be at least 8 characters)##

-----BEGIN TENDERMINT PRIVATE KEY-----

kdf: bcrypt

salt: ## Salt of the key ##

type: secp256k1

## Tendermint private key ##

-----END TENDERMINT PRIVATE KEY-----