Create, unlock & recovery

The first time QiRing runs, it shows only the Create Ring screen. After a Ring exists, it shows only the Unlock screen. The authenticated Ring workspace appears solely after a successful unlock.

Master password (create): Sets the password that unlocks this Ring going forward. Must be at least 12 characters. Choose something you can remember but nobody else could guess.
Confirm master password: Must exactly match the master password above before the Ring can be created.
Master password tab (unlock): The normal way to unlock: enter the master password you created the Ring with.
Recovery key tab (unlock): Use only if you have forgotten the master password. Requires the recovery key plus a brand-new master password, and immediately retires the old recovery key.
Recovery key (recovery unlock): The offline key you saved during the recovery ceremony. It is single-use: a successful recovery unlock issues a new recovery key and invalidates this one.
New master password (recovery unlock): The replacement master password to set while recovering Ring access.
Confirm new master password: Must exactly match the new master password above.

QiRing cannot retrieve either secret if both are lost — there is no back door. Store the recovery key somewhere separate from this computer (printed, or on another device), and use Lock whenever you step away.

The recovery ceremony

Creating a Ring, migrating an older Ring, recovering with the recovery key, or replacing the recovery key in Settings all trigger a mandatory recovery ceremony before you can continue:

Copy: Copies the new recovery key to the clipboard so you can paste it into a password manager entry or secure note elsewhere.
Save private text file: Writes the recovery key to a plain-text file you choose the location for — ideally on removable media, not this device's normal backup folder.
Print key: Sends the recovery key to a printer so a paper copy can be stored offline.
Show QR code: Generates a scannable version of the recovery key locally in the recovery dialog. Reveal it only when needed and scan it only into a trusted offline destination; the QR is cleared when the ceremony ends.
Fingerprint: A short check value derived from the key. Compare it against another copy to confirm you recorded the key correctly.
Type the final six characters: Proves you actually recorded the key (not just clicked through) before QiRing will accept it as stored.
“I stored this recovery key somewhere safe”: A required acknowledgment. The Continue button stays disabled until the verification text and this box both check out.