diff --git a/project.task.yaml b/project.task.yaml
index 5e8936f..0695e2f 100644
--- a/project.task.yaml
+++ b/project.task.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
     - add infinite scroll assignee:matthew
   blocks: ref:https://raw.githubusercontent.com/trentlarson/lives-of-gifts/master/project.yaml#kickstarter%20for%20time
 
+- allow new (random) user creation, and make accurate message about registration
 - allow type annotations in World.js & landmarks.js (since we get this error: "Types are not supported by current JavaScript version")
 - replace user-affecting console.log & console.error with error messages (eg. catches)
 
diff --git a/src/router/index.ts b/src/router/index.ts
index d7fd253..302f00b 100644
--- a/src/router/index.ts
+++ b/src/router/index.ts
@@ -111,6 +111,14 @@ const routes: Array<RouteRecordRaw> = [
         /* webpackChunkName: "new-edit-project" */ "../views/NewEditProjectView.vue"
       ),
   },
+  {
+    path: "/new-identifier",
+    name: "new-identifier",
+    component: () =>
+      import(
+        /* webpackChunkName: "new-identifier" */ "../views/NewIdentifierView.vue"
+      ),
+  },
   {
     path: "/project",
     name: "project",
diff --git a/src/views/AccountViewView.vue b/src/views/AccountViewView.vue
index dd4c412..9eafe2e 100644
--- a/src/views/AccountViewView.vue
+++ b/src/views/AccountViewView.vue
@@ -66,20 +66,22 @@
       </span>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Friend referral requirement notice -->
+    <!-- Registration notice -->
+    <!-- We won't show any loading indicator; we'll just pop the message in once we know they need it. -->
     <div
+      v-if="!loadingLimits && !limits?.nextWeekBeginDateTime"
       class="bg-amber-200 text-amber-900 border-amber-500 border-dashed border text-center rounded-md overflow-hidden px-4 py-3 mb-4"
     >
       <p class="mb-4">
-        <b>Important:</b> before you can create a new project or commit time to
-        one, you need a friend to register you.
+        <b>Note:</b> Before you can publicly announce a new project or time
+        commitment, a friend needs to register you.
       </p>
-      <button
-        id="btnShowQR"
+      <router-link
+        :to="{ name: 'contact-qr' }"
         class="inline-block text-md uppercase bg-amber-600 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-md"
       >
-        Share Your ID
-      </button>
+        Share Your Info
+      </router-link>
     </div>
 
     <!-- Identity Details -->
@@ -181,7 +183,7 @@
         <div class="text-slate-500 text-center">
           <b>ID:</b> <code>did:peer:kl45kj41lk451kl3</code>
         </div>
-        <img src="img/sample-qr-code.png" class="w-full mb-3" />
+        <img src="/img/sample-qr-code.png" class="w-full mb-3" />
 
         <button
           value="cancel"
@@ -229,6 +231,13 @@
       <button class="text-center text-md text-blue-500" @click="checkLimits()">
         Check Limits
       </button>
+      <!-- show spinner if loading limits -->
+      <div v-if="loadingLimits" class="ml-2">
+        Checking... <fa icon="spinner" class="fa-spin"></fa>
+      </div>
+      <div class="ml-2">
+        {{ limitsMessage }}
+      </div>
       <div v-if="!!limits?.nextWeekBeginDateTime" class="px-9">
         <span class="font-bold">Rate Limits</span>
         <p>
@@ -280,7 +289,7 @@
     </div>
 
     <div v-if="numAccounts > 0" class="flex py-2">
-      Switch Account
+      Switch Identifier
       <span v-for="accountNum in numAccounts" :key="accountNum">
         <button class="text-blue-500 px-2" @click="switchAccount(accountNum)">
           #{{ accountNum }}
@@ -357,6 +366,8 @@ export default class AccountViewView extends Vue {
   publicHex = "";
   publicBase64 = "";
   limits: RateLimits | null = null;
+  limitsMessage = "";
+  loadingLimits = true; // might as well now that we do it on mount, to avoid flashing the registration message
   showContactGives = false;
 
   showDidCopy = false;
@@ -388,6 +399,7 @@ export default class AccountViewView extends Vue {
     // assign this to a class variable, eg. "registerThisUser = testServerRegisterUser",
     // select a component in the extension, and enter in the console: $vm.ctx.registerThisUser()
     //testServerRegisterUser();
+
     try {
       await db.open();
       const settings = await db.settings.get(MASTER_SETTINGS_KEY);
@@ -441,6 +453,8 @@ export default class AccountViewView extends Vue {
       this.alertTitle = "Error Creating Account";
       this.isAlertVisible = true;
     }
+
+    this.checkLimits();
   }
 
   public async updateShowContactAmounts() {
@@ -482,6 +496,9 @@ export default class AccountViewView extends Vue {
   }
 
   async checkLimits() {
+    this.loadingLimits = true;
+    this.limitsMessage = "";
+
     const url = this.apiServer + "/api/report/rateLimits";
     await accountsDB.open();
     const accounts = await accountsDB.accounts.toArray();
@@ -502,18 +519,14 @@ export default class AccountViewView extends Vue {
     } catch (error: unknown) {
       const serverError = error as AxiosError;
 
-      this.alertTitle = "Error from Server";
       console.error("Bad response retrieving limits: ", serverError);
       // Anybody know how to access items inside "response.data" without this?
       // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any
       const data: any = serverError.response?.data;
-      if (data.error.message) {
-        this.alertMessage = data.error.message;
-      } else {
-        this.alertMessage = "Bad server response. See logs for details.";
-      }
-      this.isAlertVisible = true;
+      this.limitsMessage = data?.error?.message || "Bad server response.";
     }
+
+    this.loadingLimits = false;
   }
 
   async switchAccount(accountNum: number) {
diff --git a/src/views/ContactQRScanShowView.vue b/src/views/ContactQRScanShowView.vue
index 162b10e..ceb3d18 100644
--- a/src/views/ContactQRScanShowView.vue
+++ b/src/views/ContactQRScanShowView.vue
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
   <section id="Content" class="p-6 pb-24">
     <!-- Heading -->
     <h1 id="ViewHeading" class="text-4xl text-center font-light pt-4 mb-8">
-      Contact Info
+      Your Contact Info
     </h1>
 
     <!--
diff --git a/src/views/ContactsView.vue b/src/views/ContactsView.vue
index 106bbc4..7af1d24 100644
--- a/src/views/ContactsView.vue
+++ b/src/views/ContactsView.vue
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ export default class ContactsView extends Vue {
         "@type": "RegisterAction",
         agent: { identifier: identity.did },
         object: SERVICE_ID,
-        recipient: { identifier: contact.did },
+        participant: { identifier: contact.did },
       };
       // Make a payload for the claim
       const vcPayload = {
diff --git a/src/views/HelpView.vue b/src/views/HelpView.vue
index 9c4e32b..4fc0593 100644
--- a/src/views/HelpView.vue
+++ b/src/views/HelpView.vue
@@ -60,14 +60,14 @@
         gifts and collaboration.
       </p>
 
-      <h2 class="text-xl font-semibold">How is this app useful?</h2>
+      <h2 class="text-xl font-semibold">What is the philosophy here?</h2>
       <p>
         We are building networks of people who want to grow a gifting society.
         First of all, you can record ways you've seen people give, and that
-        leaves a permanent record... one that they show came from you. This is
-        personally gratifying, but it extends to broader work: volunteers can
-        get confirmation of activity and selectively show off their
-        contributions and network.
+        leaves a permanent record -- one that came from you, and the recipient
+        can prove it was for them. This is personally gratifying, but it extends
+        to broader work: volunteers can get confirmation of activity and
+        selectively show off their contributions and network.
       </p>
       <p>
         You can also record projects and plans and invite others to collaborate.
@@ -83,10 +83,25 @@
         the control; this app gives you the control.
       </p>
 
+      <h2 class="text-xl font-semibold">How do I take my first action?</h2>
+      <p>
+        You need someone to register you -- usually the person who told you
+        about this app, on the Contacts
+        <fa icon="circle-user" class="fa-fw" /> page. After they register you,
+        and after you have contacts, you can select any contact on the home page
+        and record your appreciation for... whatever. That is a claim recorded
+        on a custom ledger. The day after being registered, you'll be able to
+        register others; later, you can create projects, too.
+      </p>
+      <p>
+        Note that there are limits to how many each person can register, so you
+        may have to wait.
+      </p>
+
       <h2 class="text-xl font-semibold">How do I backup all my data?</h2>
       <p>
-        There are two parts to backup your data: the identifier secrets and the
-        other data such as settings, contacts, etc.
+        There are two sets of data to backup: the identifier secrets and the
+        other data that isn't quite a secret such as settings, contacts, etc.
       </p>
 
       <div class="px-4">
@@ -100,6 +115,10 @@
           <li>
             Click on "Backup Identifier Seed" and follow the instructions.
           </li>
+          <li>
+            If you have other identifiers, switch to each one and repeat those
+            steps.
+          </li>
         </ul>
 
         <h2 class="text-xl font-semibold">
@@ -156,28 +175,6 @@
         key.
       </p>
 
-      <h2 class="text-xl font-semibold">
-        How do I get permission to store claims on the server?
-      </h2>
-      <p>
-        Get registered by someone else with the app; they can register you on
-        the Contacts <fa icon="circle-user" class="fa-fw" /> page. There are
-        limits to how many each person can register, so you may have to wait.
-      </p>
-
-      <h2 class="text-xl font-semibold">What do you mean by "claims"?</h2>
-      <p>
-        Certain actions in this app are signed by your private keys, and these
-        are often called "claims". For example, when you give time to a person
-        or project, you sign a claim declaring that you gave that time. When you
-        declare a project, you sign a claim declaring it to the world. When you
-        confirm someone else's claim, you sign a claim of agreement.
-      </p>
-      <p>
-        Some of the data in this app does not involve claims, such as your
-        contact list and your identifier.
-      </p>
-
       <h2 class="text-xl font-semibold">
         I know there is a record from someone, so why can't I see that info?
       </h2>
diff --git a/src/views/NewIdentifierView.vue b/src/views/NewIdentifierView.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5af530
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/views/NewIdentifierView.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+<template>
+  <!-- QUICK NAV -->
+  <nav id="QuickNav" class="fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 bg-slate-200 z-50">
+    <ul class="flex text-2xl p-2 gap-2">
+      <!-- Home Feed -->
+      <li class="basis-1/5 rounded-md text-slate-500">
+        <router-link :to="{ name: 'home' }" class="block text-center py-3 px-1">
+          <fa icon="house-chimney" class="fa-fw"></fa>
+        </router-link>
+      </li>
+      <!-- Search -->
+      <li class="basis-1/5 rounded-md text-slate-500">
+        <router-link
+          :to="{ name: 'discover' }"
+          class="block text-center py-3 px-1"
+        >
+          <fa icon="magnifying-glass" class="fa-fw"></fa>
+        </router-link>
+      </li>
+      <!-- Projects -->
+      <li class="basis-1/5 rounded-md text-slate-500">
+        <router-link
+          :to="{ name: 'projects' }"
+          class="block text-center py-3 px-1"
+        >
+          <fa icon="folder-open" class="fa-fw"></fa>
+        </router-link>
+      </li>
+      <!-- Contacts -->
+      <li class="basis-1/5 rounded-md text-slate-500">
+        <router-link
+          :to="{ name: 'contacts' }"
+          class="block text-center py-3 px-1"
+        >
+          <fa icon="users" class="fa-fw"></fa>
+        </router-link>
+      </li>
+      <!-- Profile -->
+      <li class="basis-1/5 rounded-md bg-slate-400 text-white">
+        <router-link
+          :to="{ name: 'account' }"
+          class="block text-center py-3 px-1"
+        >
+          <fa icon="circle-user" class="fa-fw"></fa>
+        </router-link>
+      </li>
+    </ul>
+  </nav>
+
+  <!-- CONTENT -->
+  <section id="Content" class="p-6 pb-24">
+    <!-- Heading -->
+    <h1 id="ViewHeading" class="text-4xl text-center font-light pt-4 mb-8">
+      Your Identity
+    </h1>
+
+    <div class="flex justify-between py-2">
+      <span />
+      <span v-if="loading">
+        Creating... <i class="fa-solid fa-loader fa-spin"></i>
+      </span>
+      <span v-else>
+        Created!
+        <i
+          class="fa-solid fa-burst fa-beat"
+          style="--fa-animation-duration: 3s"
+        ></i>
+      </span>
+    </div>
+  </section>
+</template>
+
+<script lang="ts">
+import "dexie-export-import";
+import { Component, Vue } from "vue-facing-decorator";
+import { accountsDB, db } from "@/db";
+import { deriveAddress, generateSeed, newIdentifier } from "@/libs/crypto";
+import { MASTER_SETTINGS_KEY } from "@/db/tables/settings";
+
+@Component
+export default class AccountViewView extends Vue {
+  loading = true;
+
+  async mounted() {
+    await accountsDB.open();
+    const mnemonic = generateSeed();
+    // address is 0x... ETH address, without "did:eth:"
+    const [address, privateHex, publicHex, derivationPath] =
+      deriveAddress(mnemonic);
+
+    const newId = newIdentifier(address, publicHex, privateHex, derivationPath);
+    const identity = JSON.stringify(newId);
+    await accountsDB.accounts.add({
+      dateCreated: new Date().toISOString(),
+      derivationPath: derivationPath,
+      did: newId.did,
+      identity: identity,
+      mnemonic: mnemonic,
+      publicKeyHex: newId.keys[0].publicKeyHex,
+    });
+
+    await db.settings.update(MASTER_SETTINGS_KEY, {
+      activeDid: newId.did,
+    });
+
+    this.loading = false;
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      this.$router.push({ name: "account" });
+    }, 3000);
+  }
+}
+</script>
diff --git a/src/views/StartView.vue b/src/views/StartView.vue
index 8c3417d..69f5821 100644
--- a/src/views/StartView.vue
+++ b/src/views/StartView.vue
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ import { Options, Vue } from "vue-class-component";
 })
 export default class StartView extends Vue {
   public onClickYes() {
-    this.$router.push({ name: "account" });
+    this.$router.push({ name: "new-identifier" });
   }
 
   public onClickNo() {