> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cdp.coinbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# generateKeyPair

> Generate a new P256 key pair for use with Coinbase Wallet

Defined in the [Coinbase Wallet SDK](https://github.com/base/account-sdk)

<Info>
  Generates a new P256 key pair for use with Coinbase Wallet. This is essential for advanced integrations and Sub Account management.
</Info>

## Parameters

This function takes no parameters.

## Returns

<ResponseField name="result" type="P256KeyPair">
  A P256 key pair object containing the public and private keys.

  <Expandable title="P256KeyPair Properties">
    <ResponseField name="publicKey" type="string">
      The public key for the generated pair in hexadecimal format.
    </ResponseField>

    <ResponseField name="privateKey" type="string">
      The private key for the generated pair. Handle with extreme care.
    </ResponseField>
  </Expandable>
</ResponseField>

<RequestExample>
  ```typescript Basic Usage theme={null}
  import { generateKeyPair } from '@base-org/account';

  const keyPair = await generateKeyPair();
  console.log('Public key:', keyPair.publicKey);
  ```

  ```typescript Error Handling theme={null}
  try {
    const keyPair = await generateKeyPair();
    return keyPair;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Failed to generate key pair:', error);
    throw error;
  }
  ```
</RequestExample>

<ResponseExample>
  ```typescript Success Response theme={null}
  {
    publicKey: "0x04a1b2c3d4e5f6...",
    privateKey: "0x1a2b3c4d5e6f7a..."
  }
  ```
</ResponseExample>

## Error Handling

| Code | Message                      | Description                                                  |
| ---- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 4100 | Key generation not supported | Browser does not support cryptographic key generation        |
| 4200 | Insufficient entropy         | System lacks sufficient randomness for secure key generation |
| 4300 | Cryptographic system failure | Hardware or software cryptographic failure                   |

<Warning>
  **Private Key Security**

  Never expose private keys in client-side code or transmit them over insecure channels. Store them securely using appropriate key management systems.
</Warning>

## Integration with Sub Accounts

```typescript Integration with Sub Accounts lines wrap expandable theme={null}
import { generateKeyPair, createBaseAccountSDK } from '@base-org/account';

async function createSubAccountWithNewKeys() {
  const sdk = createBaseAccountSDK({
    appName: 'My App',
    appLogoUrl: 'https://example.com/logo.png',
    appChainIds: [8453], // Base mainnet
  });

  // Generate new key pair for sub account
  const keyPair = await generateKeyPair();
  
  // Create sub account with the generated keys
  const subAccount = await sdk.subAccount.create({
    type: 'create',
    keys: [{
      type: 'webauthn-p256',
      publicKey: keyPair.publicKey,
    }],
  });
  
  return { subAccount, keyPair };
}
```

## Error Handling

The `generateKeyPair` function can throw errors for:

* Cryptographic system failures
* Insufficient entropy
* Browser compatibility issues

Always wrap calls to `generateKeyPair` in a try-catch block:

```typescript Error Handling lines wrap expandable theme={null}
try {
  const keyPair = await generateKeyPair();
  // Handle successful generation
} catch (error) {
  if (error.message.includes('not supported')) {
    console.error('Browser does not support key generation');
  } else {
    console.error('Key generation failed:', error);
  }
}
```

## Security Considerations

<Warning>
  **Private Key Security**

  Never expose private keys in client-side code or transmit them over insecure channels. Store them securely using appropriate key management systems.
</Warning>

* Store private keys using secure storage mechanisms
* Never log private keys to console in production
* Consider using hardware security modules for production applications
* Implement proper key rotation policies