FAQ

Everything you need to know about USERNAME.md handles.

How does USERNAME.md relate to about-me.md? ▾
Two products, one identity. USERNAME.md is the lightweight handle — a router that maps your one name to every service you use. about-me.md is the full home base — your public profile, signed claims, personal data vault, and the surface that mediates AI-agent access on your behalf. Use USERNAME.md alone if you only want the lookup table; add about-me.md when you want the full profile + agent layer.
What happens if someone else wants my handle? ▾
You can sell it for profit. When you release your handle, it becomes available on timedbuy.com where a 7-day auction begins for your handle. The highest bidder wins, and you receive the proceeds.
What are premium handles? ▾
Handles with fewer than 6 characters are premium because they are highly desirable and fewer letters to type or remember. Visit the Premium Handles page for more information about purchasing a premium handle.
What happens when I release my handle? ▾
It gets posted on timedbuy.com for a 7-day auction. Anyone can bid on it, and the highest bidder claims the handle when the auction ends.
Can I transfer my handle? ▾
Yes, simply use the transfer page. This is permanent. Once you relinquish your handle, it's gone — ownership transfers immediately and cannot be undone.
Can I use my own domain instead? ▾
Yes. If you own a TLD (e.g. chrisbergeron.com), USERNAME.md can resolve to did:web:chrisbergeron.com and your handle becomes an alias. Your identity is portable — we route to you, not the other way around.
How does USERNAME.md connect to preferences.sh? ▾
Your USERNAME.md handle is your universal identity across the entire Handsfree ecosystem. When you claim a handle here, the same identity is recognized by about-me.md (for your full profile + vault) and preferences.sh (for syncing settings). No separate sign-up needed.
Is my handle really free? ▾
Standard handles (6+ characters) are free to claim. Premium handles (5 characters or fewer) require a one-time purchase. See the Premium page for pricing.