The first time you open the app it offers Create a new vault or Restore from a backup. To start fresh:

  1. Choose Create a new vault.
  2. Type a passphrase in Passphrase and again in Confirm passphrase. It must be at least 12 characters.
  3. Choose Create vault. Deriving the key takes a moment on purpose — it is what makes guessing slow.
  4. Save the recovery key you are shown next — see Your recovery key.

A meter rates the passphrase as you type. Several unrelated words ("copper lantern violin harbor") are easier to remember than symbols and far harder to guess.

Moving from another computer instead? See Restoring a backup or moving computers.