Initial Tutorial

Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zerokeyusb.com/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

The first time you plug your ZeroKeyUSB into a USB-C port, a 9-page setup wizard starts automatically (in Spanish by default — the localized strings appear below). This guide walks you from the welcome screen to a device ready to store credentials.

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Step 1 — Welcome splash

When you plug the cable in, the OLED lights up showing the bootloader logo for a couple of seconds. This confirms that the firmware booted correctly and the ECDSA signature of the binary has been validated by the ATECC608A secure element. Wait about 2 seconds. The wizard appears automatically — you don’t have to press anything.

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Step 2 — Page 1: Welcome

First page of the wizard. The inverted top bar shows the title and a page indicator <1/9>. The body briefly describes what the device is and what to do. Press Right to advance. If the body has more text than fits on screen, use Up/Down to scroll before continuing.

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Step 3 — Page 2: Navigation

Explains what each of the 5 pads does. This is the only page that describes the controls explicitly. Read the page and press Right to move to the next one.

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Step 4 — Page 3: Rotate screen

If the golden dots end up on your left instead of on the right, flip the device physically — or rotate the screen in software with Center. The orientation is saved in EEPROM and persists across power cycles. Press Center to toggle the orientation (you will see NORMAL ↔ ROTADA on screen). When the controls feel right, press Right to continue.

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Step 5 — Page 4: Keyboard layout

ZeroKeyUSB emulates a USB keyboard. So that passwords with special characters (@, !, #, etc.) type correctly on your computer, the device needs to know your keyboard layout. Press Center to cycle through EN-US, ES-ES, FR-FR, DE-DE, IT-IT, PT-PT, DA-DK, SV-SE, HU-HU. When yours appears, press Right.

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Step 6 — Page 5: Master PIN (introduction)

This page explains the PIN rules before asking for one. Pick between 4 and 16 digits (0–9). It is the only thing standing between an attacker and your credentials. Press Center to move on to the PIN entry screen.

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Step 7 — Enter the PIN

The numpad screen. Each digit is entered with Up/Down (to choose 0–9) and Right (to confirm and advance to the next digit). The small arrows on the sides of the active digit remind you of the available moves. For each digit of your PIN: Up/Down to the correct number, then Right to confirm it. When you finish the last digit, the cursor jumps to the tick (✓) symbol. Press Center on the tick to save the PIN.

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Step 8 — Page 6: PIN saved

After entering the PIN, the wizard shows it back to you once so you can memorize it. This is your last chance to see it in cleartext. Write the PIN down or memorize it. When you have it, press Right.

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Step 9 — Page 7: Unlocking

Explains that from now on, every time you plug the USB in, you will have to enter the PIN. And that repeated failures trigger an exponential wait. Read the page and press Right to continue.

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Step 10 — Page 8: Accounts

A preview of the main screen — how credentials are navigated once you are unlocked. Press Right.

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Step 11 — Page 9: All set

Last page. Reminds you that you can reach the main menu by pressing Left on the first credential (or Right on the last, going through “Add New” first). Press Center to exit the wizard and reach the PIN screen. That’s it — the device is set up.

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Step 12 — Ready to use

After pressing Center, the device takes you to the PIN numpad to enter the PIN you just created (the same one you will see every time you plug the device in from now on). When you enter the PIN correctly, you will reach the main screen — but since there are no credentials yet, the Add New screen appears directly. Press Center to create your first credential — or follow the dedicated guide at Create your first credential.

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Next steps