# How to activate an atSign

## Overview

NoPorts needs to be installed on both the machine you are going to connect to (device) and the machine you are going to connect from (client). NoPorts uses [atSigns](https://atsign.com/faqs/) as addresses and you will need two, one for the client and one for the device.

{% hint style="danger" %}
If you don't own a pair of atSigns/addresses, please visit [my.noports.com](https://my.noports.com/no-ports-plans) before continuing.
{% endhint %}

Example client atSign

```
@sshnp_client
```

Example device atSign

```
@sshnp_device
```

## Activate your atSigns

{% hint style="info" %}
Activation of a particular atSign is only done once. During activation, cryptographic keys are cut and stored on your machine.

You will activate both the client atSign ***and*** the device atSign on your client machine, and you will then authorize your device(s) to use the device atSign.
{% endhint %}

### Activate the client atSign

(1) Run the at\_activate command for the client atSign

<pre class="language-bash"><code class="lang-bash"><strong>~/.local/bin/at_activate -a @&#x3C;REPLACE>_client
</strong></code></pre>

(2) Enter the One Time Password (OTP) & Check your SPAM/PROMOTIONS folders

at\_activate will pause and wait for the input of a one time pin (OTP) before you can continue. You should receive this pin to the contact information associated with the registration of your NoPorts address (i.e. email or text message).

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you are using a gmail.com account we have seen that sometimes the OTP gets stuck in the SPAM or PROMOTIONS folder. If you do not see the OTP check those folders.
{% endhint %}

Once you receive the message, enter the pin into the application and press enter to continue. The application should proceed to create the cryptographic keys and store them in the `~/.atsign/keys/` directory with a filename that includes the atSign.

### Activate the device atSign

1\) Run the at\_activate command for the device atSign

<pre class="language-bash"><code class="lang-bash"><strong>~/.local/bin/at_activate -a @&#x3C;REPLACE>_device
</strong></code></pre>

2\) Enter the One Time Password (OTP) & Check your SPAM/PROMOTIONS folders

Again, at\_activate will pause and wait for the input of a one time pin (OTP) before you can continue. You should receive this pin to the contact information associated with the registration of your NoPorts address (i.e. email or text message).

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you are using a gmail.com account we have seen that sometimes the OTP gets stuck in the SPAM or PROMOTIONS folder. If you do not see the OTP check those folders.
{% endhint %}

Once you receive the message, enter the pin into the application and press enter to continue. The application should proceed to create the cryptographic keys and store them in the `~/.atsign/keys/` directory with a filename that includes the atSign.