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THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING CHAINDECK

Instructions for the PIN METHOD

Below you will find instructions for setting up your chaindeck using the PIN METHOD. 

Click here to see the list of different methods for chaining the cards. You can also download the instructions by clicking the link below.

Photo showing the deck box, cards, and instruction sheet.

This page will guide you through the process of securing your secret phrase, step by step. We've included a short animation for each stage so you can follow along visually.

A few things to prepare before you start:

  • A flat surface with enough room to lay out at least 10 cards such as a desk, kitchen table, or the floor.

  • A medium tip permanent marker that works well.

  • A distraction free session. It is best to chain your deck in one go so you do not lose your place or break the order.

Take a moment to preview the steps below before beginning. Stay focused, enjoy the process.

EXAMPLE CARD

Let’s go through some key terminology and take a closer look at an example Chaindeck card.

Each card is part of the system that lets you arrange and encrypt your seed phrase using a simple 3-digit PIN.

  • The numbers on the left (0–9) correspond to the first digit of your PIN.

  • The numbers on the top (0–9) correspond to the second digit of your PIN.

  • Together, they form a 10×10 grid in the center, filled with unique sorting numbers.

  • The colored arrows at the bottom correspond to the third digit of your PIN, showing you the sorting direction. 

  • The visual guides (white crosses) will help you locate and track the sorting numbers.

  • Every deck contains 100 cards numbered 00–99.

This system ensures that only someone with the correct 3-digit PIN can restore the correct sequence of cards and reveal the hidden phrase.

SORTING NUMBER

  • Learn how to locate the SORTING NUMBER of each card to be able to chain your deck. 

  • You will find a 10x10 grid of SORTING NUMBERS displayed on each card. 

  • The first digit of your PIN corresponds to the rows, while the second digit corresponds to the columns of the grid.

  • You don't need to worry about the third digit of your PIN at this stage, we will cover that in STEP 3.

  • Using your PIN, locate the SORTING NUMBER of each card. Each card will feature a distinct SORTING NUMBER associated with your PIN.

  • If a dot is present where the SORTING NUMBER is expected, flip the card over and locate the SORTING NUMBER. Make sure to maintain the card in this flipped position.

  • About half the cards will have a SORTING NUMBER on the back face. 

STEP 1  GROUP CARDS

  • Find a flat and empty surface to arrange your cards. 

  • The goal is to make sorting all the cards easier by dividing up the problem into 10 parts. Imagine two rows of five groups as shown in the video. 

  • Place each card in a group based on the first digit of it's SORTING NUMBER.​

Sorting numbers 000... 099 belong to Group 0

Sorting numbers 100... 199 belong to Group 1

Sorting numbers 300... 399 belong to Group 3

Sorting numbers 400... 499 belong to Group 4​

Sorting numbers 500... 599 belong to Group 5

Sorting numbers 600... 699 belong to Group 6​

Sorting numbers 700... 799 belong to Group 7

Sorting numbers 800... 899 belong to Group 8

Sorting numbers 900... 999 belong to Group 9

STEP 2  SORT EACH GROUP

  • You should now have 10 groups of cards in front of you.

  • In this step, you will sort the cards in each group based on their SORTING NUMBER.

  • Rearrange the cards in each group from smallest to largest SORTING NUMBER making sure the smallest card is on top. 

Sorting numbers 000... 099 belong to Group 0

Sorting numbers 100... 199 belong to Group 1

Sorting numbers 300... 399 belong to Group 3

Sorting numbers 400... 499 belong to Group 4​

Sorting numbers 500... 599 belong to Group 5

Sorting numbers 600... 699 belong to Group 6​

Sorting numbers 700... 799 belong to Group 7

Sorting numbers 800... 899 belong to Group 8

Sorting numbers 900... 999 belong to Group 9

STEP 3  ROTATE CARDS

  • Now that you have sorted the cards in each group, it is time to rotate them.

 

  • ​Locate the DIRECTION ARROW on each card to know how to rotate your cards.​

 

  • To do this, find the THIRD DIGIT of your PIN on the bottom row and choose the DIRECTION ARROW that matches the color of your SORTING NUMBER. ​​

 

  • Rotate your card so that the DIRECTION ARROW is pointing UP.

 

  • ​If DIRECTION ARROW is already pointing up, you don't need to rotate the card.

 

  • ​Repeat for each card without changing the order of the cards.

Sorting numbers 000... 099 belong to Group 0

Sorting numbers 100... 199 belong to Group 1

Sorting numbers 300... 399 belong to Group 3

Sorting numbers 400... 499 belong to Group 4​

Sorting numbers 500... 599 belong to Group 5

Sorting numbers 600... 699 belong to Group 6​

Sorting numbers 700... 799 belong to Group 7

Sorting numbers 800... 899 belong to Group 8

Sorting numbers 900... 999 belong to Group 9

STEP 4  COMBINE GROUPS

  • After rotating all the cards, it's time to stack them from Group 0 to Group 9 as shown in the video.

  • The final chain of cards will be sorted by their SORTING NUMBER and the DIRECTION ARROW will all point in the same direction.

  • Congratulations! You have chained your deck.

Sorting numbers 000... 099 belong to Group 0

Sorting numbers 100... 199 belong to Group 1

Sorting numbers 300... 399 belong to Group 3

Sorting numbers 400... 499 belong to Group 4​

Sorting numbers 500... 599 belong to Group 5

Sorting numbers 600... 699 belong to Group 6​

Sorting numbers 700... 799 belong to Group 7

Sorting numbers 800... 899 belong to Group 8

Sorting numbers 900... 999 belong to Group 9

STEP 5  WRITE SECRET PHRASE

  • Place the deck back in its sleeve.

  • Using a medium tip black marker, write your SECRET PHRASE on the sides of the deck.

  • You should be able to write at least 8 words on each side. Make sure you mark the order of the sides you used (1 through 4).

  • Allow ink to dry completely before handling your deck to change sides. ​

Sorting numbers 000... 099 belong to Group 0

Sorting numbers 100... 199 belong to Group 1

Sorting numbers 300... 399 belong to Group 3

Sorting numbers 400... 499 belong to Group 4​

Sorting numbers 500... 599 belong to Group 5

Sorting numbers 600... 699 belong to Group 6​

Sorting numbers 700... 799 belong to Group 7

Sorting numbers 800... 899 belong to Group 8

Sorting numbers 900... 999 belong to Group 9

STEP 6  SHUFFLE THE CARDS

  • Shuffle the cards until the SECRET PHRASE is no longer legible.

  • Make sure to rotate and flip to maximise randomness.

  • After the initial round of shuffling, you may want to introduce FALSE MARKINGS to increase the security of your chaindeck.

  • Using the same marker, scribble on the empty spaces and shuffle your deck once again.

  • Your secret phrase in now encrypted! ​

Sorting numbers 000... 099 belong to Group 0

Sorting numbers 100... 199 belong to Group 1

Sorting numbers 300... 399 belong to Group 3

Sorting numbers 400... 499 belong to Group 4​

Sorting numbers 500... 599 belong to Group 5

Sorting numbers 600... 699 belong to Group 6​

Sorting numbers 700... 799 belong to Group 7

Sorting numbers 800... 899 belong to Group 8

Sorting numbers 900... 999 belong to Group 9

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Check out our blog for more tips and insights

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