Support

Getting Started

Each cipher workbench has a Load Sample menu in the toolbar. Tap it to see the workbench pre-filled with a worked example, then explore the controls from there.

The Cipher Reference section (sidebar) has a page for each of the 31 supported ciphers with history, a worked example, and tips for breaking it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the auto-solve always find the right answer?
Classical ciphers are computationally hard to break automatically, especially short ciphertexts. The solver uses statistical analysis (quadgrams, bigrams, word patterns) to find the most likely plaintext. For best results, use at least 100 characters of ciphertext. You can assist the solver by setting known letter mappings or crib words before running it.

Can I import a photo of a handwritten cipher?
Yes — on iPad and Mac, open the Substitution Workbench and tap Import Symbol Image in the toolbar. Take a photo or choose a file; CodeBreaker segments the symbols, lets you assign letters to each cluster, and inserts the transcription into the workbench.

How do I save my work?
Tap the save icon (square with downward arrow) in any workbench toolbar. Give the session a name; it will appear in the Workspaces section of the sidebar and survive app restarts. On Mac you can also use File → Open Workspace… to import or export a .codebreaker file.

The app is listed as 4+ — is it suitable for classroom use?
Yes. CodeBreaker contains no advertising, no in-app purchases, no network requests, and no data collection. It works fully offline and is appropriate for educational settings.

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