# 🆘 SeedPGP Offline Recovery Playbook

**EMERGENCY SEED RECOVERY WITHOUT THE SEEDPGP WEB APP**

---

## 📋 What This Document Is For

You created an encrypted backup of your cryptocurrency seed phrase using SeedPGP. This document explains **how to decrypt that backup if the SeedPGP web app is no longer available** (website down, GitHub deleted, domain expired, etc.).

**Print this document and store it with your encrypted QR backup.**

---

## 🎯 Quick Reference: What You Need

Depending on how you encrypted your backup, you need:

| Encryption Method | What You Need to Decrypt |
|-------------------|--------------------------|
| **Password-only** | Password + this playbook + any computer with GPG |
| **PGP Public Key** | Private key + private key passphrase + this playbook + any computer with GPG |
| **Krux KEF format** | Passphrase + Python 3 + this playbook |

---

## 🔍 Step 1: Identify Your Backup Format

Look at your encrypted backup. The format determines which recovery method to use:

### **Format A: SeedPGP Standard (PGP)**

Your QR code or text starts with:
```
SEEDPGP1:0:A1B2:CDEFG...
```

**OR** your backup is a PGP armored message:
```
-----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----

hQEMA...
-----END PGP MESSAGE-----
```

➜ **Use Method 1: GPG Command-Line Recovery** (see below)

---

### **Format B: Krux KEF**

Your QR code or text starts with:
```
KEF:1234+ABCD...
```

**OR** it's a Base43-encoded string using only these characters:
```
0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ$%*+-./:
```

➜ **Use Method 2: Python Krux Decryption** (see below)

---

### **Format C: Plain SeedQR** (NOT ENCRYPTED)

Your QR is all digits (48 or 96 digits for 12/24 words):
```
0216007100420461...
```

**OR** all hex (32 or 64 hex characters):
```
1a2b3c4d5e6f...
```

➜ **Use Method 3: SeedQR Decoder** (see below)

---

## 📖 Method 1: GPG Command-Line Recovery (PGP Format)

### **What You Need:**
- ✅ Your encrypted backup (QR scan result or PGP armored text)
- ✅ Your password (if password-encrypted)
- ✅ Your PGP private key + passphrase (if key-encrypted)
- ✅ A computer with GPG installed (Linux/Mac: pre-installed, Windows: download Gpg4win)

---

### **Step 1A: Extract the PGP Message**

If your backup is a `SEEDPGP1:...` QR string, you need to decode it first:

```bash
# Your QR scan result looks like:
# SEEDPGP1:0:A1B2:BASE45_ENCODED_DATA_HERE

# Extract just the Base45 part (everything after the third colon)
echo "SEEDPGP1:0:A1B2:BASE45DATA" | cut -d: -f4- > base45.txt

# Decode Base45 to binary PGP (requires Python script - see Appendix A)
python3 decode_base45.py base45.txt > encrypted.pgp
```

If your backup is already a PGP armored message (`-----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----`), save it to a file:

```bash
cat > encrypted.asc << 'EOF'
-----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----

hQEMA...
-----END PGP MESSAGE-----
EOF
```

---

### **Step 1B: Decrypt with GPG**

**If encrypted with PASSWORD only:**

```bash
# Decrypt using password
gpg --decrypt encrypted.pgp

# OR if you have the armored version:
gpg --decrypt encrypted.asc

# GPG will prompt: "Enter passphrase:"
# Type your password exactly as you created it
# Output will be JSON like: {"v":1,"t":"bip39","w":"word1 word2 word3...","l":"en","pp":0}
```

**If encrypted with PGP PUBLIC KEY:**

```bash
# First, import your private key (if not already in your GPG keyring)
gpg --import my-private-key.asc

# Decrypt
gpg --decrypt encrypted.pgp

# GPG will prompt for your PRIVATE KEY PASSPHRASE (not the backup password)
# Output will be JSON like: {"v":1,"t":"bip39","w":"word1 word2 word3...","l":"en","pp":0}
```

---

### **Step 1C: Extract Your Seed Phrase**

The decrypted output is JSON format:
```json
{"v":1,"t":"bip39","w":"abandon ability able about above...","l":"en","pp":0}
```

**Your seed phrase is the value of the `"w"` field.**

Extract it:
```bash
# If output is in a file:
cat decrypted.json | grep -o '"w":"[^"]*"' | cut -d'"' -f4

# Or use Python:
python3 -c 'import json; print(json.load(open("decrypted.json"))["w"])'
```

**Write down your seed phrase immediately on paper.**

---

### **JSON Field Meanings:**

| Field | Meaning | Example Value |
|-------|---------|---------------|
| `v` | Format version | `1` |
| `t` | Mnemonic type | `"bip39"` |
| `w` | **Your seed phrase (words)** | `"abandon ability able..."` |
| `l` | Language | `"en"` (English) |
| `pp` | BIP39 passphrase used? | `0` (no) or `1` (yes) |
| `fpr` | Recipient PGP fingerprints | `["ABC123..."]` (optional) |

**If `pp` is `1`:** You used a BIP39 passphrase in addition to your seed words. You need BOTH to restore your wallet.

---

## 🐍 Method 2: Python Krux Decryption (KEF Format)

### **What You Need:**
- ✅ Your Krux KEF backup (QR scan result starting with `KEF:` or Base43 string)
- ✅ Your passphrase
- ✅ A computer with Python 3

---

### **Step 2A: Prepare the Decryption Script**

Save this Python script as `decrypt_krux.py`:

```python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Krux KEF (Krux Encryption Format) Offline Decryption Tool
For emergency recovery when SeedPGP is unavailable
"""

import hashlib
import hmac
from getpass import getpass

# Base43 alphabet (Krux standard)
B43_CHARS = "0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ$%*+-./:"

def base43_decode(s):
    """Decode Base43 string to bytes"""
    n = 0
    for c in s:
        n = n * 43 + B43_CHARS.index(c)
    
    byte_len = (n.bit_length() + 7) // 8
    return n.to_bytes(byte_len, 'big')

def unwrap_kef(kef_bytes):
    """Extract label, version, iterations, and payload from KEF envelope"""
    if len(kef_bytes) < 5:
        raise ValueError("Invalid KEF: too short")
    
    label_len = kef_bytes[0]
    if label_len > 252 or len(kef_bytes) < 1 + label_len + 4:
        raise ValueError("Invalid KEF: malformed header")
    
    label = kef_bytes[1:1+label_len].decode('utf-8')
    version = kef_bytes[1+label_len]
    
    iter_bytes = kef_bytes[2+label_len:5+label_len]
    iterations = int.from_bytes(iter_bytes, 'big')
    if iterations <= 10000:
        iterations *= 10000
    
    payload = kef_bytes[5+label_len:]
    return label, version, iterations, payload

def pbkdf2_hmac_sha256(password, salt, iterations, dklen=32):
    """PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 key derivation"""
    return hashlib.pbkdf2_hmac('sha256', password.encode(), salt, iterations, dklen)

def aes_gcm_decrypt(key, iv, ciphertext, tag):
    """AES-GCM decryption using cryptography library"""
    try:
        from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.ciphers.aead import AESGCM
        aesgcm = AESGCM(key)
        return aesgcm.decrypt(iv, ciphertext + tag, None)
    except ImportError:
        print("ERROR: 'cryptography' library not found.")
        print("Install with: pip3 install cryptography")
        raise

def entropy_to_mnemonic(entropy_bytes):
    """Convert entropy to BIP39 mnemonic (requires bip39 library)"""
    try:
        from mnemonic import Mnemonic
        mnemo = Mnemonic("english")
        return mnemo.to_mnemonic(entropy_bytes)
    except ImportError:
        print("ERROR: 'mnemonic' library not found.")
        print("Install with: pip3 install mnemonic")
        raise

def decrypt_krux(kef_data, passphrase):
    """Main decryption function"""
    # Step 1: Decode from Base43 or hex
    if kef_data.startswith('KEF:'):
        kef_data = kef_data[4:].strip()
    
    try:
        kef_bytes = base43_decode(kef_data)
    except:
        try:
            kef_bytes = bytes.fromhex(kef_data)
        except:
            raise ValueError("Invalid KEF format: not Base43 or hex")
    
    # Step 2: Unwrap KEF envelope
    label, version, iterations, payload = unwrap_kef(kef_bytes)
    
    if version not in [20, 21]:
        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported KEF version: {version}")
    
    print(f"KEF Label: {label}")
    print(f"Version: {version} (AES-GCM{' +compress' if version == 21 else ''})")
    print(f"Iterations: {iterations}")
    
    # Step 3: Derive key from passphrase
    salt = label.encode('utf-8')
    key = pbkdf2_hmac_sha256(passphrase, salt, iterations, 32)
    
    # Step 4: Extract IV, ciphertext, and tag
    iv = payload[:12]
    ciphertext = payload[12:-4]
    tag = payload[-4:]
    
    # Step 5: Decrypt
    decrypted = aes_gcm_decrypt(key, iv, ciphertext, tag)
    
    # Step 6: Decompress if needed
    if version == 21:
        import zlib
        decrypted = zlib.decompress(decrypted)
    
    # Step 7: Convert to mnemonic
    mnemonic = entropy_to_mnemonic(decrypted)
    return mnemonic

if __name__ == "__main__":
    print("=" * 60)
    print("KRUX KEF EMERGENCY DECRYPTION TOOL")
    print("=" * 60)
    print()
    
    kef_input = input("Paste your KEF backup (Base43 or hex): ").strip()
    passphrase = getpass("Enter passphrase: ")
    
    try:
        mnemonic = decrypt_krux(kef_input, passphrase)
        print()
        print("=" * 60)
        print("SUCCESS! Your seed phrase:")
        print("=" * 60)
        print(mnemonic)
        print("=" * 60)
        print()
        print("⚠️  Write this down on paper immediately!")
        print("⚠️  Never save to disk or take a screenshot!")
        
    except Exception as e:
        print()
        print(f"ERROR: {e}")
        print()
        print("Common issues:")
        print("1. Wrong passphrase")
        print("2. Missing Python libraries (run: pip3 install cryptography mnemonic)")
        print("3. Corrupted KEF data")
```

---

### **Step 2B: Install Dependencies**

```bash
# Install required Python libraries
pip3 install cryptography mnemonic

# Or on Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt install python3-pip
pip3 install cryptography mnemonic
```

---

### **Step 2C: Run the Decryption**

```bash
# Make script executable
chmod +x decrypt_krux.py

# Run it
python3 decrypt_krux.py

# It will prompt:
# "Paste your KEF backup (Base43 or hex):"
# → Paste your full QR scan result or KEF string

# "Enter passphrase:"
# → Type your passphrase (won't show on screen)

# Output:
# SUCCESS! Your seed phrase:
# abandon ability able about above absent absorb...
```

**Write down your seed phrase immediately.**

---

## 📱 Method 3: SeedQR Decoder (Unencrypted Format)

### **What You Need:**
- ✅ Your SeedQR backup (all digits or hex)
- ✅ BIP39 wordlist (see Appendix B)
- ✅ Optional: Python script (see below)

---

### **Step 3A: Identify SeedQR Type**

**Standard SeedQR (all digits):**
- 48 digits = 12-word seed
- 96 digits = 24-word seed
- Each 4 digits = one BIP39 word index (0000-2047)

**Compact SeedQR (hex):**
- 32 hex chars = 12-word seed
- 64 hex chars = 24-word seed
- Raw entropy encoded as hexadecimal

---

### **Step 3B: Manual Decoding (Standard SeedQR)**

**Example:** `0216007100420461...` (48 digits for 12 words)

1. Split into 4-digit chunks: `0216`, `0071`, `0042`, `0461`, ...
2. Each chunk is a word index (0-2047)
3. Look up each index in the BIP39 wordlist (Appendix B)

```
0216 → word #216 = "brick"
0071 → word #71 = "appear"
0042 → word #42 = "advise"
0461 → word #461 = "dove"
...
```

**Your seed phrase is the words in order.**

---

### **Step 3C: Python Script (Standard SeedQR)**

Save as `decode_seedqr.py`:

```python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""SeedQR to BIP39 Mnemonic Decoder"""

# BIP39 English wordlist (2048 words)
# Download from: https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039/english.txt
# Or see Appendix B of this document

def load_wordlist(filepath='bip39_wordlist.txt'):
    with open(filepath) as f:
        return [line.strip() for line in f]

def decode_standard_seedqr(qr_digits):
    """Decode standard SeedQR (4-digit word indices)"""
    if len(qr_digits) not in [48, 96]:
        raise ValueError(f"Invalid length: {len(qr_digits)} (expected 48 or 96)")
    
    wordlist = load_wordlist()
    mnemonic = []
    
    for i in range(0, len(qr_digits), 4):
        index = int(qr_digits[i:i+4])
        if index >= 2048:
            raise ValueError(f"Invalid word index: {index} (max 2047)")
        mnemonic.append(wordlist[index])
    
    return ' '.join(mnemonic)

def decode_compact_seedqr(qr_hex):
    """Decode compact SeedQR (hex-encoded entropy)"""
    if len(qr_hex) not in [32, 64]:
        raise ValueError(f"Invalid hex length: {len(qr_hex)} (expected 32 or 64)")
    
    try:
        from mnemonic import Mnemonic
        mnemo = Mnemonic("english")
        entropy = bytes.fromhex(qr_hex)
        return mnemo.to_mnemonic(entropy)
    except ImportError:
        print("ERROR: 'mnemonic' library required for compact SeedQR")
        print("Install: pip3 install mnemonic")
        raise

if __name__ == "__main__":
    qr_data = input("Paste your SeedQR data: ").strip()
    
    if qr_data.isdigit():
        mnemonic = decode_standard_seedqr(qr_data)
    elif all(c in '0123456789abcdefABCDEF' for c in qr_data):
        mnemonic = decode_compact_seedqr(qr_data)
    else:
        print("ERROR: Not a valid SeedQR (must be all digits or all hex)")
        exit(1)
    
    print()
    print("Your seed phrase:")
    print(mnemonic)
    print()
```

---

## 📚 Appendix A: Base45 Decoder

If you need to decode SeedPGP's Base45 format manually, save this as `decode_base45.py`:

```python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""Base45 Decoder for SeedPGP Recovery"""

B45_CHARS = "0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ $%*+-./:"

def base45_decode(s):
    """Decode Base45 string to bytes"""
    result = []
    i = 0
    
    while i < len(s):
        if i + 2 < len(s):
            # Process 3 characters → 2 bytes
            c = B45_CHARS.index(s[i])
            d = B45_CHARS.index(s[i+1])
            e = B45_CHARS.index(s[i+2])
            x = c + d * 45 + e * 45 * 45
            
            result.append(x // 256)
            result.append(x % 256)
            i += 3
        else:
            # Process 2 characters → 1 byte
            c = B45_CHARS.index(s[i])
            d = B45_CHARS.index(s[i+1])
            x = c + d * 45
            
            if x > 255:
                raise ValueError("Invalid Base45 encoding")
            result.append(x)
            i += 2
    
    return bytes(result)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    import sys
    
    if len(sys.argv) > 1:
        # Read from file
        with open(sys.argv[1]) as f:
            b45_input = f.read().strip()
    else:
        # Read from stdin
        b45_input = input("Paste Base45 data: ").strip()
    
    try:
        decoded = base45_decode(b45_input)
        sys.stdout.buffer.write(decoded)
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"ERROR: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
        exit(1)
```

---

## 📚 Appendix B: BIP39 English Wordlist

**Download the official wordlist:**
```bash
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bitcoin/bips/master/bip-0039/english.txt
```

**Or manually:** The BIP39 English wordlist contains exactly 2048 words, indexed 0-2047:

```
0000: abandon
0001: ability
0002: able
0003: about
...
2045: zero
2046: zone
2047: zoo
```

**Full wordlist:** https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039/english.txt

---

## 🛡️ Security Recommendations

### **When Recovering Your Seed:**

1. ✅ **Use an air-gapped computer** (TailsOS or Ubuntu Live USB)
2. ✅ **Disconnect from internet** before decrypting
3. ✅ **Write seed on paper immediately** after decryption
4. ✅ **Never screenshot or save to disk**
5. ✅ **Verify your seed** by importing to a test wallet (small amount first)
6. ✅ **Destroy digital traces** after recovery (shutdown amnesic OS)

### **Storage Best Practices:**

- 📄 **Print this document** and store with your encrypted backup
- 🔐 Store backup + recovery instructions in different locations
- 💾 Keep a copy of Python scripts on offline USB
- 📦 Include a copy of the BIP39 wordlist (offline reference)
- 🗂️ Label everything clearly: "SEEDPGP BACKUP + RECOVERY GUIDE - DO NOT LOSE"

---

## 🆘 Emergency Contact

**If you're stuck:**

1. Search GitHub for "seedpgp-web" (project may still exist)
2. Check Internet Archive: https://web.archive.org/
3. Ask in Bitcoin/crypto forums (describe format, don't share actual data!)
4. Hire a professional cryptocurrency recovery service (last resort)

**Never share:**
- ❌ Your encrypted backup data with strangers
- ❌ Your password or passphrase
- ❌ Your PGP private key
- ❌ Your decrypted seed phrase

---

## ✅ Recovery Checklist

Before attempting recovery, verify you have:

- [ ] This printed playbook
- [ ] Your encrypted backup (QR code or text file)
- [ ] Your password/passphrase written down
- [ ] Your PGP private key (if used) + passphrase
- [ ] An air-gapped computer (TailsOS/Ubuntu Live recommended)
- [ ] GPG installed (for PGP decryption)
- [ ] Python 3 + libraries (for Krux/SeedQR decryption)
- [ ] BIP39 wordlist (for manual SeedQR decoding)
- [ ] Paper and pen (to write recovered seed)

**If missing any item above, DO NOT PROCEED. Secure it first.**

---

## 📅 Recommended Practice Schedule

**Every 6 months:**
1. Test that you can still decrypt your backup
2. Verify the recovery tools still work
3. Update this playbook if formats change
4. Check that your passwords/keys are still accessible

**Test with a dummy backup first!** Create a test seed, encrypt it, then practice recovery.

---

**Document Version:** 1.0  
**Last Updated:** February 2026  
**Compatible with:** SeedPGP v1.4.7+

---

**🔒 KEEP THIS DOCUMENT SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE 🔒**

Your encrypted backup is worthless without the ability to decrypt it.  
Print this. Store it with your backup. Test it regularly.

---