Skip to main content

How to Create a DID IOTA Identity

These steps describe the manual process for creating a Decentralized Identifier (DID) on the IOTA network. Future versions will include API automation.

Note: This tutorial is conducted on the IOTA testnet. Users can modify NETWORK="testnet" in the config.env file for other networks.

This tutorial provides instructions for both Linux/macOS (using bash) and Windows (using PowerShell).

Windows PowerShell Setup (Optional)​

If you're using Windows PowerShell, create a reusable function to load environment variables. Add this function to your PowerShell session:

function Source-Env($Path) {
    Get-Content $Path | ForEach-Object {
        if ($_ -match '^([^=]+)=(.*)$') {
            [Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable($matches[1], $matches[2])
        }
    }
}

This function will be used throughout the tutorial to load environment files, making the commands cleaner and easier to follow.

Step 1: Create a New Wallet​

This command generates a mnemonic and a seed, saving them to a wallet.env file.

npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" mnemonic --env wallet.env

Step 2: Generate Wallet Addresses​

Use the mnemonic and seed from the previous step to generate wallet addresses. This command adds ADDRESS_0, ADDRESS_1, etc., to your wallet.env file.

Generate Wallet Addresses - Linux/macOS (Bash)​

source ./wallet.env
npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" address --load-env wallet.env --seed $SEED --count 2 --env wallet.env --merge-env

Generate Wallet Addresses - Windows (PowerShell)​

Source-Env .\wallet.env
npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" address --load-env wallet.env --seed $env:SEED --count 2 --env wallet.env --merge-env

Step 3: Fund the First Address​

You need to fund your primary wallet address using a faucet. First, create a config.env file for the IOTA testnet.

Create Config File - Linux/macOS (Bash)​

cat > config.env << EOF
NODE_URL="https://api.testnet.iota.cafe"
FAUCET_URL="https://faucet.testnet.iota.cafe"
COIN_TYPE="4218"
NETWORK="testnet"
EXPLORER_URL="https://explorer.iota.org/"
EOF

Create Config File - Windows (PowerShell)​

@"
NODE_URL="https://api.testnet.iota.cafe"
FAUCET_URL="https://faucet.testnet.iota.cafe"
COIN_TYPE="4218"
NETWORK="testnet"
EXPLORER_URL="https://explorer.iota.org/"
"@ | Out-File -FilePath config.env -Encoding UTF8

Next, source your environment files and run the faucet command:

Fund Address - Linux/macOS (Bash)​

source ./config.env
source ./wallet.env
npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" faucet --load-env config.env wallet.env --address $ADDRESS_0 --network $NETWORK

Fund Address - Windows (PowerShell)​

Source-Env .\config.env
Source-Env .\wallet.env
npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" faucet --load-env config.env wallet.env --address $env:ADDRESS_0 --network $env:NETWORK

You can verify the transaction using the explorer link provided in the command's output.

Step 4: Create the Identity​

Now, create the DID. This command will generate an identity.env file containing the new DID.

Create Identity - Linux/macOS (Bash)​

source ./wallet.env
npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" identity-create --load-env config.env wallet.env --seed $SEED --address-index 0 --env identity.env

Create Identity - Windows (PowerShell)​

Source-Env .\wallet.env
npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" identity-create --load-env config.env wallet.env --seed $env:SEED --address-index 0 --env identity.env

Step 5: Add a Verification Method (Optional)​

This step adds a cryptographic key to your DID, which can be used for signing and verifying credentials.

Add Verification Method - Linux/macOS (Bash)​

source ./wallet.env
source ./identity.env
npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" verification-method-add --load-env config.env wallet.env identity.env --seed $SEED --did $DID --type verificationMethod --env verification-method.env

Add Verification Method - Windows (PowerShell)​

Source-Env .\wallet.env
Source-Env .\identity.env
npx "@twin.org/identity-cli@next" verification-method-add --load-env config.env wallet.env identity.env --seed $env:SEED --did $env:DID --type verificationMethod --env verification-method.env