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.
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.
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.
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.
Globally Unique
Every phrase is unique after normalization. First claim wins. Reserved names and impersonation phrases are blocked server-side.
Premium 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.
Process
How Phrase IDs Work
Four steps from registration to encrypted pairing — no phone number required.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
🛡 Threat Model
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
No system is invulnerable. Stating what we defend against — and where our boundaries are — is more credible than claiming absolute security. Learn More →
Platform
Learn More
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.