@venizia/ignis-docs 0.2.0 → 0.2.1-0

package/content/extensions/helpers/crypto/index.md

@@ -1,537 +1,116 @@
-# Crypto
-
-Cryptographic utilities for AES symmetric encryption, RSA asymmetric encryption, ECDH key exchange, and hashing.
-
-## Quick Reference
-
-| Class | Extends | Use Case |
-|-------|---------|----------|
-| **AES** | BaseCryptoAlgorithm | Fast symmetric encryption (AES-256-CBC, AES-256-GCM) |
-| **RSA** | BaseCryptoAlgorithm | Public-key encryption with DER key pairs |
-| **ECDH** | AbstractCryptoAlgorithm | Ephemeral key exchange with AES-256-GCM session encryption |
-| **hash()** | _(standalone function)_ | MD5 and SHA256 HMAC hashing |
-
-#### Algorithm Comparison
-
-| Feature | AES | RSA | ECDH |
-|---------|-----|-----|------|
-| Type | Symmetric | Asymmetric | Asymmetric + Symmetric |
-| Key exchange | Shared secret | Public/private | Diffie-Hellman |
-| Speed | Fast | Slow (large keys) | Fast (small keys) |
-| Max message | Unlimited | ~214 bytes (2048-bit, OAEP) | Unlimited |
-| Async | No | No | Yes (Web Crypto) |
-| Runtime | Node.js `crypto` | Node.js `crypto` | `crypto.subtle` (Bun/Browser) |
-
-#### Import Paths
-
-```typescript
-// Algorithm classes
-import { AES, RSA, ECDH } from '@venizia/ignis-helpers';
-
-// Hash utility function
-import { hash } from '@venizia/ignis-helpers';
-
-// Types
-import type {
-  AESAlgorithmType,
-  RSAAlgorithmType,
-  ECDHAlgorithmType,
-  IECDHEncryptedPayload,
-  IECDHExtraOptions,
-  ICryptoAlgorithm,
-} from '@venizia/ignis-helpers';
-```
-
-#### Type Hierarchy
-
-All crypto algorithms share a common type hierarchy with 7 generic type parameters:
-
-```
-ICryptoAlgorithm (interface)
-  └── AbstractCryptoAlgorithm (extends BaseHelper)
-        ├── BaseCryptoAlgorithm (adds normalizeSecretKey, getAlgorithmKeySize)
-        │     ├── AES
-        │     └── RSA
-        └── ECDH (uses CryptoKey objects, not string secrets)
-```
+---
+title: Crypto
+description: AES symmetric encryption, RSA asymmetric encryption, and ECDH key exchange helpers
+difficulty: intermediate
+---
 
-**Why two base classes?**
-- `BaseCryptoAlgorithm` adds `normalizeSecretKey()` and `getAlgorithmKeySize()` -- useful for AES/RSA which use string secrets with size normalization
-- `ECDH` extends `AbstractCryptoAlgorithm` directly because it uses `CryptoKey` objects (Web Crypto), not string secrets
+# Crypto
 
-```typescript
-interface ICryptoAlgorithm<
-  AlgorithmNameType extends string,
-  EncryptInputType = unknown,
-  DecryptInputType = unknown,
-  SecretKeyType = unknown,
-  EncryptReturnType = unknown,
-  DecryptReturnType = unknown,
-  ExtraOptions = unknown,
-> {
-  algorithm: AlgorithmNameType;
-  encrypt(opts: { message: EncryptInputType; secret: SecretKeyType; opts?: ExtraOptions }): EncryptReturnType;
-  decrypt(opts: { message: DecryptInputType; secret: SecretKeyType; opts?: ExtraOptions }): DecryptReturnType;
-}
-```
+Cryptographic helpers for AES symmetric encryption, RSA asymmetric encryption, and ECDH ephemeral key exchange, each wrapped in a scoped `BaseHelper` class.
 
-## Creating an Instance
+## In one example
 
-All crypto algorithm classes extend `BaseHelper` (via `AbstractCryptoAlgorithm`), providing scoped logging. Each class uses a static `withAlgorithm()` factory method.
+The smallest real use: encrypt and decrypt a string with AES-256-GCM.
 
 ```typescript
-import { AES, RSA, ECDH } from '@venizia/ignis-helpers';
-
-// AES -- choose CBC or GCM mode
-const aesCbc = AES.withAlgorithm('aes-256-cbc');
-const aesGcm = AES.withAlgorithm('aes-256-gcm');
-
-// RSA -- single algorithm, no parameters
-const rsa = RSA.withAlgorithm();
-
-// ECDH -- optional HKDF info for key isolation
-const ecdh = ECDH.withAlgorithm();
-const ecdhCustom = ECDH.withAlgorithm({
-  algorithm: 'ecdh-p256',
-  hkdfInfo: 'my-app-session-keys',
-});
-```
-
-#### AES Constructor Options
-
-| Algorithm | Mode | Features |
-|-----------|------|----------|
-| `aes-256-cbc` | CBC | Standard block cipher, widely compatible |
-| `aes-256-gcm` | GCM | Authenticated encryption -- detects tampering |
-
-#### ECDH Constructor Options
-
-| Option | Type | Default | Description |
-|--------|------|---------|-------------|
-| `algorithm` | `'ecdh-p256'` | `'ecdh-p256'` | Curve algorithm |
-| `hkdfInfo` | `string` | `'ignis-ecdh-p256-aes-256-gcm-v1'` | HKDF info string for key derivation isolation |
-
-Different `hkdfInfo` values produce **incompatible keys** from the same ECDH shared secret. Use this to isolate key derivation between different application contexts.
+import { AES } from '@venizia/ignis-helpers';
 
-## Usage
-
-### AES Encryption
-
-The `AES` class provides encryption and decryption using the Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit keys.
-
-```typescript
 const aes = AES.withAlgorithm('aes-256-gcm');
 const secret = 'my-application-secret-key';
 
-// Encrypt
 const encrypted = aes.encrypt({ message: 'This is a secret message.', secret });
-// => base64 encoded string containing IV + ciphertext
+// => base64 encoded string containing IV + auth tag + ciphertext
 
-// Decrypt
 const decrypted = aes.decrypt({ message: encrypted, secret });
 // => 'This is a secret message.'
 ```
 
-> [!TIP]
-> Prefer `aes-256-gcm` for new applications. It provides **authenticated encryption** -- if the ciphertext is tampered with, decryption will throw an error rather than silently returning corrupted data. This does not happen with CBC mode.
-
-#### AES Extra Options
-
-```typescript
-import C from 'node:crypto';
-
-const encrypted = aes.encrypt({
-  message: 'hello',
-  secret: 'my-secret',
-  opts: {
-    iv: C.randomBytes(16),          // Custom IV (default: random 16 bytes)
-    inputEncoding: 'utf-8',          // Message input encoding (default: 'utf-8')
-    outputEncoding: 'hex',           // Ciphertext output encoding (default: 'base64')
-    doThrow: false,                  // Return original message on error (default: true)
-  },
-});
-```
-
-| Option | Type | Default (encrypt) | Default (decrypt) | Description |
-|--------|------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------|
-| `iv` | `Buffer` | `crypto.randomBytes(16)` | Extracted from ciphertext | Initialization vector |
-| `inputEncoding` | `crypto.Encoding` | `'utf-8'` | `'base64'` | Encoding of the input message |
-| `outputEncoding` | `crypto.Encoding` | `'base64'` | `'utf-8'` | Encoding of the output |
-| `doThrow` | `boolean` | `true` | `true` | If `false`, returns the original message on error instead of throwing |
-
-#### File Encryption
-
-```typescript
-// Encrypt file contents -> returns encrypted string
-const encrypted = aes.encryptFile({
-  absolutePath: '/path/to/config.json',
-  secret: 'my-secret',
-});
-
-// Decrypt file contents -> returns decrypted string
-const decrypted = aes.decryptFile({
-  absolutePath: '/path/to/config.json.enc',
-  secret: 'my-secret',
-});
-```
-
-Both methods read the file synchronously via `fs.readFileSync`, convert to UTF-8, then encrypt/decrypt as a string. If `absolutePath` is empty or falsy, they return an empty string.
-
-### RSA Encryption
-
-The `RSA` class provides public-key encryption using RSA with DER-formatted keys.
-
-#### Generating a Key Pair
-
-Keys are generated in DER format (binary, compact).
-
-```typescript
-const rsa = RSA.withAlgorithm();
-
-// Default: 2048-bit modulus
-const { publicKey, privateKey } = rsa.generateDERKeyPair();
-
-// Custom modulus length
-const keys = rsa.generateDERKeyPair({ modulus: 4096 });
-```
-
-| Option | Type | Default | Description |
-|--------|------|---------|-------------|
-| `modulus` | `number` | `2048` | RSA modulus length in bits |
-
-The returned `publicKey` is a `Buffer` in SPKI/DER format and `privateKey` is a `Buffer` in PKCS8/DER format.
-
-#### Encrypting and Decrypting
-
-```typescript
-// Encrypt using the public key (base64-encoded DER)
-const pubKeyB64 = publicKey.toString('base64');
-const encrypted = rsa.encrypt({ message: 'secret data', secret: pubKeyB64 });
-
-// Decrypt using the private key (base64-encoded DER)
-const privKeyB64 = privateKey.toString('base64');
-const decrypted = rsa.decrypt({ message: encrypted, secret: privKeyB64 });
-// => 'secret data'
-```
-
-#### RSA Extra Options
-
-```typescript
-const encrypted = rsa.encrypt({
-  message: 'hello',
-  secret: pubKeyB64,
-  opts: {
-    inputEncoding: {
-      key: 'base64',       // Key encoding (default: 'base64')
-      message: 'utf-8',    // Message encoding (default: 'utf-8')
-    },
-    outputEncoding: 'hex',  // Ciphertext output (default: 'base64')
-    doThrow: false,         // Return original on error (default: true)
-  },
-});
-```
-
-| Option | Type | Default (encrypt) | Default (decrypt) | Description |
-|--------|------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------|
-| `inputEncoding.key` | `crypto.Encoding` | `'base64'` | `'base64'` | Encoding of the key buffer |
-| `inputEncoding.message` | `crypto.Encoding` | `'utf-8'` | `'base64'` | Encoding of the input message |
-| `outputEncoding` | `crypto.Encoding` | `'base64'` | `'utf-8'` | Encoding of the output |
-| `doThrow` | `boolean` | `true` | `true` | If `false`, returns the original message on error instead of throwing |
-
-#### Error Handling
-
-```typescript
-// Default: throws on invalid key
-try {
-  rsa.encrypt({ message: 'test', secret: 'invalid-key' });
-} catch (error) {
-  // Handle encryption error
-}
-
-// Graceful: return original message on error
-const result = rsa.encrypt({
-  message: 'test',
-  secret: 'invalid-key',
-  opts: { doThrow: false },
-});
-// result === 'test' (original message returned)
-```
-
-### ECDH Key Exchange
-
-The `ECDH` class provides **ephemeral key exchange** using ECDH P-256 with HKDF-derived AES-256-GCM session encryption. It uses the Web Crypto API (`crypto.subtle`) and is fully async.
-
-#### When to Use ECDH
-
-| Scenario | Use ECDH | Use AES/RSA |
-|----------|----------|-------------|
-| Two parties need a shared secret without pre-sharing | Yes | No |
-| WebSocket session encryption | Yes | No |
-| Encrypting data at rest | No | AES |
-| Signing/verifying tokens | No | RSA |
-| Forward secrecy needed | Yes | No |
-
-#### Complete Key Exchange Flow
-
-```typescript
-const ecdh = ECDH.withAlgorithm();
-
-// 1. Both parties generate key pairs
-const alice = await ecdh.generateKeyPair();
-const bob = await ecdh.generateKeyPair();
-
-// 2. Exchange public keys (over any channel -- they're safe to share)
-const alicePubForBob = await ecdh.importPublicKey({ rawKeyB64: alice.publicKeyB64 });
-const bobPubForAlice = await ecdh.importPublicKey({ rawKeyB64: bob.publicKeyB64 });
-
-// 3. Initiator derives AES key (generates a random salt)
-const { key: aliceKey, salt } = await ecdh.deriveAESKey({
-  privateKey: alice.keyPair.privateKey,
-  peerPublicKey: bobPubForAlice,
-});
-
-// 4. Responder derives the SAME AES key using the initiator's salt
-const { key: bobKey } = await ecdh.deriveAESKey({
-  privateKey: bob.keyPair.privateKey,
-  peerPublicKey: alicePubForBob,
-  salt,  // Must use the same salt for keys to match
-});
-
-// 5. Alice encrypts -> Bob decrypts (or vice versa)
-const encrypted = await ecdh.encrypt({ message: 'Hello Bob!', secret: aliceKey });
-const decrypted = await ecdh.decrypt({ message: encrypted, secret: bobKey });
-// => 'Hello Bob!'
-```
-
-> [!IMPORTANT]
-> Both parties **must** use the same salt for `deriveAESKey` to produce matching keys. The initiator omits the `salt` parameter (a random 32-byte salt is generated), then shares the returned `salt` string with the responder.
-
-#### Key Generation and Import
-
-```typescript
-// Generate a key pair
-const { keyPair, publicKeyB64 } = await ecdh.generateKeyPair();
-// keyPair.publicKey  -- CryptoKey (exported as raw base64 via publicKeyB64)
-// keyPair.privateKey -- CryptoKey (non-extractable)
-// publicKeyB64       -- base64 encoded raw public key (65 bytes for P-256)
-
-// Import a peer's base64-encoded public key
-const peerKey = await ecdh.importPublicKey({ rawKeyB64: peerPublicKeyB64 });
-```
-
-#### AES Key Derivation
+`RSA` and `ECDH` follow the same `withAlgorithm()` factory + `encrypt`/`decrypt` shape - only the secret type and speed/message-size trade-offs differ.
 
-The derived key uses **HKDF** (HMAC-based Key Derivation Function) with SHA-256 to produce an AES-256-GCM key from the ECDH shared secret. A random 32-byte salt is generated if not provided.
+## How it works
 
-```typescript
-// Initiator: omit salt (random salt is generated)
-const { key: aesKey, salt } = await ecdh.deriveAESKey({
-  privateKey: myKeyPair.privateKey,
-  peerPublicKey: importedPeerPublicKey,
-});
-// aesKey -- CryptoKey for AES-256-GCM (non-extractable, encrypt + decrypt)
-// salt   -- base64 encoded 32-byte salt (share with peer)
-
-// Responder: provide the initiator's salt
-const { key: peerAesKey } = await ecdh.deriveAESKey({
-  privateKey: peerKeyPair.privateKey,
-  peerPublicKey: importedMyPublicKey,
-  salt,  // Same salt -> same derived key
-});
-```
+- **One factory pattern.** Every algorithm class exposes a static `withAlgorithm()` that returns an instance; there is no public constructor to call directly.
+- **`AES` and `RSA` share `BaseCryptoAlgorithm`.** It adds `normalizeSecretKey()` (pads/truncates a string secret to the algorithm's key size) and `getAlgorithmKeySize()` (parses the bit size out of the algorithm name, e.g. `256` from `aes-256-gcm`).
+- **`ECDH` extends the neutral `AbstractCryptoAlgorithm` directly.** It uses `CryptoKey` objects from the Web Crypto API (`crypto.subtle`), not string secrets, so it skips the string-normalization helpers entirely.
+- **Options objects, throw-by-default.** Every `encrypt`/`decrypt` takes `{ message, secret, opts? }`. On internal error, each throws unless `opts.doThrow: false`, in which case the original input is returned unchanged.
 
-#### `deriveAESKey` Options
+**Class comparison**
 
-| Option | Type | Default | Description |
-|--------|------|---------|-------------|
-| `privateKey` | `CryptoKey` | -- | Your ECDH private key from `generateKeyPair()` |
-| `peerPublicKey` | `CryptoKey` | -- | Peer's public key from `importPublicKey()` |
-| `salt` | `string` | Random 32 bytes | Base64-encoded salt for HKDF. Omit to generate a new random salt. |
+| Class | Base class | Secret type | Async | Best for |
+|-------|-----------|--------------|-------|----------|
+| `AES` | `BaseCryptoAlgorithm` | `string` | No | Encrypting data at rest, fast bulk encryption |
+| `RSA` | `BaseCryptoAlgorithm` | `string` (base64 DER key) | No | Public-key encryption, small payloads |
+| `ECDH` | `AbstractCryptoAlgorithm` | `CryptoKey` | Yes | Session key exchange with forward secrecy |
 
-#### Additional Authenticated Data (AAD)
+`AES` supports two modes selected at construction: `aes-256-cbc` (plain block cipher) and `aes-256-gcm` (authenticated - detects tampering). Everything on this page uses the default options; the [Full reference](/extensions/helpers/crypto/reference) covers every option, the ECDH key-exchange flow, `IECDHEncryptedPayload`, and the standalone `hash()` utility that lives alongside these classes in the same package.
 
-ECDH encrypt/decrypt supports **Additional Authenticated Data** via the `opts.additionalData` parameter. AAD is authenticated but not encrypted -- it binds the ciphertext to a context (e.g., channel ID, session ID) so the same ciphertext cannot be replayed in a different context.
+## Common tasks
 
-```typescript
-// Encrypt with AAD
-const encrypted = await ecdh.encrypt({
-  message: 'context-bound message',
-  secret: sharedKey,
-  opts: { additionalData: 'channel-123' },
-});
-
-// Decrypt must provide the SAME AAD
-const decrypted = await ecdh.decrypt({
-  message: encrypted,
-  secret: sharedKey,
-  opts: { additionalData: 'channel-123' },
-});
-
-// Decrypt with wrong/missing AAD throws
-await ecdh.decrypt({ message: encrypted, secret: sharedKey });
-// => throws (AAD mismatch)
-```
+### Choose an AES mode
 
-#### Encrypted Payload Format
+`aes-256-gcm` is authenticated encryption - tampering makes decryption throw instead of returning corrupted data. Prefer it for new code.
 
 ```typescript
-interface IECDHEncryptedPayload {
-  iv: string;  // base64 encoded 12-byte IV
-  ct: string;  // base64 encoded ciphertext + GCM auth tag (128-bit)
-}
+const aesGcm = AES.withAlgorithm('aes-256-gcm'); // recommended
+const aesCbc = AES.withAlgorithm('aes-256-cbc'); // no tamper detection
 ```
 
-#### Security Properties
-
-| Property | Guarantee |
-|----------|-----------|
-| **Confidentiality** | AES-256-GCM encryption |
-| **Integrity** | GCM authentication tag -- tampered ciphertext is detected |
-| **Forward secrecy** | Ephemeral key pairs -- compromising one session doesn't compromise others |
-| **Key isolation** | HKDF info parameter separates key derivation contexts |
-| **Context binding** | AAD (`additionalData`) prevents cross-context replay |
-
-### Hashing
+### Encrypt a file
 
-Standalone `hash` utility function for creating hashes (e.g., for data integrity checks or HMAC signatures).
+`encryptFile`/`decryptFile` read the file synchronously, treat its contents as UTF-8, then run the same `encrypt`/`decrypt` as strings.
 
 ```typescript
-import { hash } from '@venizia/ignis-helpers';
-
-// MD5 Hash
-const md5Hash = hash('some text', { algorithm: 'MD5', outputType: 'hex' });
-
-// SHA256 HMAC (secret is required for SHA256)
-const sha256Hash = hash('some text', {
-  algorithm: 'SHA256',
-  secret: 'a-secret-key',
-  outputType: 'hex',
-});
+const encrypted = aes.encryptFile({ absolutePath: '/path/to/config.json', secret });
+const decrypted = aes.decryptFile({ absolutePath: '/path/to/config.json.enc', secret });
 ```
 
-> [!WARNING]
-> `SHA256` mode uses HMAC and **requires** the `secret` parameter. If `secret` is omitted, the function returns the original text unchanged (no hash is computed). `MD5` mode does not use a secret.
+### Generate an RSA key pair and encrypt with it
 
-#### `hash` Function Signature
+Keys are DER-encoded (`SPKI` public, `PKCS8` private); base64-encode them to pass as the `secret` string.
 
 ```typescript
-function hash(
-  text: string,
-  options: {
-    algorithm: 'SHA256' | 'MD5';
-    secret?: string;
-    outputType: C.BinaryToTextEncoding;  // 'hex' | 'base64' | 'base64url'
-  },
-): string;
-```
+import { RSA } from '@venizia/ignis-helpers';
 
-| Option | Type | Required | Description |
-|--------|------|----------|-------------|
-| `algorithm` | `'SHA256' \| 'MD5'` | Yes | Hashing algorithm to use |
-| `secret` | `string` | Only for SHA256 | HMAC secret key. Required for SHA256, ignored for MD5. |
-| `outputType` | `'hex' \| 'base64' \| 'base64url'` | Yes | Output encoding of the hash digest |
-
-## API Summary
-
-| Method | Class | Returns | Description |
-|--------|-------|---------|-------------|
-| `AES.withAlgorithm(algorithm)` | AES | `AES` | Create AES instance with CBC or GCM mode |
-| `encrypt(opts)` | AES | `string` | Encrypt a string message |
-| `decrypt(opts)` | AES | `string` | Decrypt a ciphertext string |
-| `encryptFile(opts)` | AES | `string` | Encrypt file contents to string |
-| `decryptFile(opts)` | AES | `string` | Decrypt file contents to string |
-| `RSA.withAlgorithm()` | RSA | `RSA` | Create RSA instance |
-| `generateDERKeyPair(opts?)` | RSA | `{ publicKey: Buffer, privateKey: Buffer }` | Generate DER-format key pair |
-| `encrypt(opts)` | RSA | `string` | Encrypt with public key |
-| `decrypt(opts)` | RSA | `string` | Decrypt with private key |
-| `ECDH.withAlgorithm(opts?)` | ECDH | `ECDH` | Create ECDH instance with optional HKDF info |
-| `generateKeyPair()` | ECDH | `Promise<{ keyPair: CryptoKeyPair, publicKeyB64: string }>` | Generate P-256 key pair |
-| `importPublicKey(opts)` | ECDH | `Promise<CryptoKey>` | Import peer's base64 public key |
-| `deriveAESKey(opts)` | ECDH | `Promise<{ key: CryptoKey, salt: string }>` | Derive AES-256-GCM key via HKDF |
-| `encrypt(opts)` | ECDH | `Promise<IECDHEncryptedPayload>` | Encrypt with derived AES key |
-| `decrypt(opts)` | ECDH | `Promise<string>` | Decrypt with derived AES key |
-| `hash(text, options)` | _(function)_ | `string` | MD5 or SHA256 HMAC hash |
-
-## Troubleshooting
-
-### "[validateAlgorithmName] Invalid algorithm name | algorithm: undefined"
-
-**Cause:** An empty or undefined `algorithm` string was passed to the constructor (or `withAlgorithm()`).
-
-**Fix:** Provide a valid algorithm name:
+const rsa = RSA.withAlgorithm();
+const { publicKey, privateKey } = rsa.generateDERKeyPair(); // default 2048-bit modulus
 
-```typescript
-const aes = AES.withAlgorithm('aes-256-gcm');   // Not undefined or empty
-const rsa = RSA.withAlgorithm();                  // No parameter needed
-const ecdh = ECDH.withAlgorithm();                // No parameter needed
+const encrypted = rsa.encrypt({ message: 'secret data', secret: publicKey.toString('base64') });
+const decrypted = rsa.decrypt({ message: encrypted, secret: privateKey.toString('base64') });
+// => 'secret data'
 ```
 
-### "[ECDH.fromBase64] Invalid base64 input"
-
-**Cause:** A value passed to an ECDH method (public key, salt, or encrypted payload) is not valid base64. The string must have a length divisible by 4 and contain only characters `A-Za-z0-9+/=`.
+### Fail soft instead of throwing
 
-**Fix:** Ensure all base64 strings are passed as-is from the methods that produced them (`publicKeyB64`, `salt`, `iv`, `ct`). Do not trim, re-encode, or modify these values.
-
-### "Unsupported state or unable to authenticate data"
-
-**Cause:** The ciphertext or auth tag was modified in transit, or you are decrypting GCM ciphertext with a CBC instance (or vice versa). CBC and GCM produce incompatible ciphertext formats.
-
-**Fix:** Ensure the same algorithm mode is used for both encrypt and decrypt:
+Pass `opts: { doThrow: false }` to get the original message back on error instead of an exception - useful when decryption failure should be a fallback path, not a crash.
 
 ```typescript
-// Both must use the same mode
-const aes = AES.withAlgorithm('aes-256-gcm');
-const encrypted = aes.encrypt({ message, secret });
-const decrypted = aes.decrypt({ message: encrypted, secret }); // same instance or same mode
+const result = rsa.encrypt({ message: 'test', secret: 'invalid-key', opts: { doThrow: false } });
+// result === 'test' (original message, no throw)
 ```
 
-### ECDH decrypt throws even though both sides used each other's public keys
+### Derive a shared session key with ECDH
 
-**Cause:** Each call to `deriveAESKey` without a `salt` parameter generates a new random 32-byte salt. If both sides generate their own salt, they derive different AES keys.
-
-**Fix:** The initiator calls `deriveAESKey` without `salt` (generates one), then sends the returned `salt` string to the responder. The responder passes that `salt` into their `deriveAESKey` call.
+`ECDH` is async (Web Crypto) and needs a `deriveAESKey()` step before either side can encrypt. See the [Full reference](/extensions/helpers/crypto/reference#ecdh-key-exchange) for the complete key-exchange flow, salt handling, and additional authenticated data (AAD).
 
 ```typescript
-// Initiator
-const { key: aliceKey, salt } = await ecdh.deriveAESKey({
-  privateKey: alice.keyPair.privateKey,
-  peerPublicKey: bobPub,
-});
-// Send `salt` to responder
-
-// Responder
-const { key: bobKey } = await ecdh.deriveAESKey({
-  privateKey: bob.keyPair.privateKey,
-  peerPublicKey: alicePub,
-  salt, // <-- use initiator's salt
-});
-```
-
-### SHA256 hash returns the original text instead of a hash
+import { ECDH } from '@venizia/ignis-helpers';
 
-**Cause:** The `SHA256` algorithm uses `createHmac` internally, which requires a `secret` parameter. When `secret` is `undefined`, the function short-circuits and returns the original text.
-
-**Fix:** Always provide a `secret` when using `SHA256`:
-
-```typescript
-const hashed = hash('text', {
-  algorithm: 'SHA256',
-  secret: 'my-hmac-key',
-  outputType: 'hex',
-});
+const ecdh = ECDH.withAlgorithm();
+const alice = await ecdh.generateKeyPair();
+const bob = await ecdh.generateKeyPair();
 ```
 
-## See Also
-
-- **Related Concepts:**
-  - [Services](/guides/core-concepts/services) -- Password hashing in user services
+## See also
 
-- **Other Helpers:**
-  - [Helpers Index](../index) -- All available helpers
+- [Full reference](/extensions/helpers/crypto/reference) - every option, the ECDH flow, `hash()`, and troubleshooting
+- [Crypto Utility](/references/utilities/crypto) - the standalone `hash()` function for MD5/HMAC-SHA256
+- [Authentication Component](/extensions/components/authentication/) - JWT and password verification
+- [Helpers Overview](/extensions/helpers/) - all available helpers
+- [Security Guidelines](/best-practices/security-guidelines) - cryptographic best practices
 
-- **References:**
-  - [Crypto Utility](/references/utilities/crypto) -- Pure crypto utilities
-  - [Authentication Component](/extensions/components/authentication/) -- JWT and password verification
+**Files:**
 
-- **Best Practices:**
-  - [Security Guidelines](/best-practices/security-guidelines) -- Cryptographic best practices
+- [`packages/helpers/src/modules/crypto/algorithms/base.algorithm.ts`](https://github.com/VENIZIA-AI/ignis/blob/main/packages/helpers/src/modules/crypto/algorithms/base.algorithm.ts) - `AbstractCryptoAlgorithm`, `BaseCryptoAlgorithm`
+- [`packages/helpers/src/modules/crypto/algorithms/aes.algorithm.ts`](https://github.com/VENIZIA-AI/ignis/blob/main/packages/helpers/src/modules/crypto/algorithms/aes.algorithm.ts) - `AES`
+- [`packages/helpers/src/modules/crypto/algorithms/rsa.algorithm.ts`](https://github.com/VENIZIA-AI/ignis/blob/main/packages/helpers/src/modules/crypto/algorithms/rsa.algorithm.ts) - `RSA`
+- [`packages/helpers/src/modules/crypto/algorithms/ecdh.algorithm.ts`](https://github.com/VENIZIA-AI/ignis/blob/main/packages/helpers/src/modules/crypto/algorithms/ecdh.algorithm.ts) - `ECDH`