Memorable Aliases
Choose at least two words — like "quiet harbor light" — instead of memorizing or copy-pasting a Hat code every time someone wants to reach you.
HUMAN-FRIENDLY
Phrase ID
Say It.
Don't Spell It.
Register a memorable phrase as an alias for your Hat ID. Friends start a secure channel by typing your words — not a long code.
Easy to Remember
Use a phrase you'll never forget. No more long, random codes.
Secure by Design
Your Phrase ID keeps your conversations private.
Free includes 1 Phrase ID per hat; Premium unlocks up to 5.
Learn More
The Difference
Hat Codes Are Hard to Share
Phrase IDs turn a cryptic Hat code into something you can say out loud, write on a card, or remember after one meeting.
Without Phrase ID
HAT-A7K2M-9XQPL
With Phrase ID
"silver moon rising"
Same secure Hat underneath — your contacts just type the phrase in the app to connect.
Core Capabilities
Built for Real Conversations
Phrase IDs sit on top of your existing Hat identity. Pairing stays end-to-end encrypted; only the entry point gets friendlier.
Per-Hat Registration
Phrase IDs attach to a specific Resident Hat. Manage aliases from Settings → Phrase ID or inline on each hat card in the app.
PER HATGlobally Unique
Every phrase is unique after normalization. First claim wins. Reserved names and impersonation phrases are blocked server-side.
PROTECTEDPremium Scale
Free accounts register 1 Phrase ID per hat. Premium and Enterprise unlock up to 5 — separate phrases for work, friends, events, and public contact.
UP TO 5
Process
How Phrase IDs Work
Four steps from registration to encrypted pairing — no phone number required.
1
Open Phrase ID
In the app, go to Settings → Phrase ID or tap Phrase IDs on a Resident Hat card. Pick the hat you want an alias for.
2
Claim Your Phrase
Type at least two words (6–80 characters). Use Suggest for a random option, or craft your own. The server checks availability instantly.
3
Share It Naturally
Tell contacts your phrase in person, on a business card, or in a bio. No QR code required — they type it in the app to start a channel.
4
Secure Pairing
The app resolves your phrase to your Hat code and opens an end-to-end encrypted channel. Your underlying Hat ID stays private if you want it to.
Register
Claim a unique phrase
Share
Say it out loud
Connect
Encrypted channel opens
Plans
Free vs Premium
Every Resident Hat can have Phrase IDs. Premium gives you room for multiple aliases on the same hat.
Free
Included with every Hat
- 1 Phrase ID per Hat
- Minimum 2 words per phrase
- Globally unique registration
- End-to-end encrypted pairing
- Delete and re-register anytime
Premium
For power users and teams
- Up to 5 Phrase IDs per Hat
- Separate aliases for work & personal
- Suggest button for random phrases
- Same global uniqueness guarantees
- Manage all phrases from Settings
- All free features included
Applications
When to Use a Phrase ID
Anytime sharing a Hat code feels awkward — Phrase IDs make secure contact feel normal.
Meeting Someone New
Exchange a phrase at a conference instead of dictating a long code. They connect in the app before you leave the room.
Professional Contact
Print "reach me: quiet harbor light" on a card or email signature. Clients start a secure channel without a phone number.
Events & Talks
Put a Phrase ID on a slide or flyer so attendees can message you privately after a session — no social media required.
Small Business
Give customers a memorable phrase for support or orders. One hat, one phrase, encrypted from the first message.
International Contacts
Simple English words are easier to spell across languages than alphanumeric Hat codes — especially over a bad connection.
Operational Security
Rotate disposable public phrases while keeping your primary Hat code private. Premium lets you run multiple aliases on one hat.
Security Architecture
What We Enforce
Phrase IDs are a lookup layer — your messages stay end-to-end encrypted under your Hat keys.
Enforced by Architecture
- Minimum 2 words per phrase (blocks single-word impersonation)
- 6–80 character length limits
- Lowercase normalization before uniqueness check
- Global unique registry — first claim wins
- Reserved phrase blocklist (brands, admin terms)
- Per-Hat quota enforced server-side
- End-to-end encryption unchanged after phrase resolution
Never Allowed
- No claiming someone else's phrase
- No single-word phrases like "support" or "admin"
- No bypass of per-Hat quota without Premium
- No plaintext message storage on servers
- No public directory of all registered phrases
- No impersonation of City of Hats brand phrases
Claim Your Phrase ID
Open City of Hats, pick a Resident Hat, and register your first phrase in under a minute. Premium unlocks up to 5 per hat.