# One-Time Passwords (OTP) - Example

In this section, we shall provide an **example** of how to generate and validate One-Time Passwords (**OTP**) in Python. The Python library of our choice is [**PyOTP**](https://github.com/pyauth/pyotp), which implement the [RFC 4226](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4226) and [RFC 6238](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6238) standards. If you want to use this library you should **follow the requirements** in those standards. Installation:

```python
pip install pyotp
```

## Server-Side Setup

We need to **create a base32 secret** which has to be shared between the authentication server and the client. We will use [Google Authenticator OpenSource](https://github.com/google/google-authenticator) OTP model which produce a **URI for an exchange**, the secret and additional client-server details. It includes the shared secret, the client's username, and the issuer's name.

```python
import pyotp

base32secret = pyotp.random_base32()
print('Secret:', base32secret)

totp_uri = pyotp.totp.TOTP(base32secret).provisioning_uri(
    "alice@google.com",
    issuer_name="Secure App")
print(totp_uri)
```

Run the above code example: <https://repl.it/@nakov/OTP-Server-Side-in-Python>.

Sample output:

```python
Secret: S3K3TPI5MYA2M67V
otpauth://totp/Secure%20App:alice%40google.com?secret=S3K3TPI5MYA2M67V&issuer=Secure%20App
```

## Client-Side Setup

Once the client stores the secret in a secure way, in a **time-interval** of a 30 seconds (by default) a new code will be generated.

```python
import pyotp
import time

base32secret = 'S3K3TPI5MYA2M67V'
print('Secret:', base32secret)

totp = pyotp.TOTP(base32secret)
print('OTP code:', totp.now())
time.sleep(30)
print('OTP code:', totp.now())
```

Run the above code example: <https://repl.it/@nakov/OTP-Client-Side-in-Python>.

Sample output:

```
Secret: S3K3TPI5MYA2M67V
OTP code: 339838
OTP code: 284911
```

## Working Example

You can install Google Authenticator from [Google Play](https://play.google.com) or [App Store](http://appstore.com) and scan the QR code below:

![OTP Auth](/files/-LhlPcomZwxZjN-vrsW7)

Example validation check:

```python
import pyotp

base32secret = 'S3K3TPI5MYA2M67V'
print('Secret:', base32secret)

totp = pyotp.TOTP(base32secret)
your_code = '123456'
print(totp.verify('Code Valid:', your_code))
```

Run the above code example: <https://repl.it/@nakov/QR-code-scanner-in-Python>.

Output:

```
Secret: S3K3TPI5MYA2M67V
Code Valid: True
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://cryptobook.nakov.com/more-cryptographic-concepts/one-time-passwords-otp-example.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
