Getting Started with ArkVault

This guide walks you through creating your first encrypted vault and setting up your trusted contacts.

What is ArkVault?

ArkVault is a secure vault for your most important digital information — passwords, crypto keys, documents, personal instructions — that stays encrypted and private, even from us. Everything is encrypted on your device before it ever reaches our servers, so no one but you (and the people you choose) can read your secrets.

The core idea is simple: you write your secrets, they get encrypted on your device, and a failsafe timer ensures they're automatically released to someone you trust if you ever become inactive.

Key Concepts

• Vault — your encrypted container of secrets. You can create multiple vaults for different categories of information.
• Trusted Contact — the person (or people) you designate to receive your vault if the failsafe timer activates.
• Recovery Key — a unique key your trusted contact needs to decrypt the vault. ArkVault cannot recover it — only you and your trusted contact should have it.
• Failsafe Timer — a check-in mechanism that tracks your activity. If you stop checking in for a period you choose, your vault is released to your trusted contacts.

You create a vault, share the recovery key with your trusted contact through a secure channel, and check in periodically to show you're still active. If you stop checking in, the vault is automatically released to them.

Step 1: Create Your Vault

1. Go to arkvault.app/create.
2. Name your vault — give it a descriptive name like "Master Passwords" or "Crypto Keys".
3. Add your secrets — type or paste the information you want to protect. You can use the rich text editor to format your content.
4. Add trusted contacts — enter the email addresses of people you trust to receive your vault contents if the failsafe timer activates.

Step 2: Save Your Recovery Key

After creating your vault, you'll be shown a recovery key. This is critical:

• Write it down or save it securely. This key is needed by your trusted contact to recover the vault.
• Send it to your trusted contact through a secure channel (in person, encrypted message, etc.).
• ArkVault cannot recover this key for you — if it's lost, the vault cannot be decrypted.

You'll also have the option to download a Recovery Kit PDF containing the key and instructions for your trusted contact.

Step 3: Create an Account

If you don't already have an account, you'll be prompted to create one after your first vault. Your account lets you:

• View and manage your vaults from the dashboard
• Check in to reset the failsafe timer
• Edit vault contents and trusted contacts
• Create additional vaults

Step 4: Regular Check-Ins

Once your vault is active, ArkVault tracks your activity:

• Check in before your failsafe timer expires to keep your vault secured. You choose the interval when creating your vault — options include 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years.
• You can check in from your dashboard with a single click.
• As your deadline approaches, ArkVault sends you email reminders — starting months in advance and increasing to daily emails in the final week.
• After the deadline passes without a check-in, the vault is released to your trusted contacts.

What Happens When a Vault is Released?

When the failsafe timer expires:

1. Your trusted contacts are notified by email.
2. They visit ArkVault and enter the recovery key you gave them.
3. The vault is decrypted in their browser — ArkVault never sees the contents.
4. A 14-day countdown begins, after which the vault is permanently destroyed.

Tips

• Store your most important information — think of what your family would need if you were suddenly unavailable.
• Keep your recovery key separate from ArkVault — it should be stored offline or with your trusted contact.
• Set a calendar reminder to check in if you're worried about forgetting.
• Create multiple vaults for different categories of information (personal, financial, business).

Need Help?

If you have questions, reach out to support@arkvault.app.