Identification scripts

Identification scripts are scripts that add user identification to written canvas text without using text or cell colours. They primarily achieve this by adding a note or JavaScript link to their text that contains the author's username and commonly the time it was written on as well.

They became popular during the 2025 color ban, as colour was the primary means of identifying someone on the canvas.

How they work

Identification scripts attach note or JavaScript links to every character written by the user, although note links are commonly used. They contain information that helps identify the author. They always contain the author's username and also commonly have the time it was written on as well. While the time format can vary, Unix timestamps are fairly common. Here is an example using the general format of most identification scripts:

Written by Bob <1767507202>

The write time is included to make impersonation harder, as it makes the identification text constantly changing and dynamic. This is because if someone were to simply attach a static note to their text (e.g. "by Alice"), someone could type fabricated message and then easily apply the same note text to their own writing.

As identification scripts are usually not shared, this makes impersonation nearly impossible unless the attacker has the necessary scripting skills.

Hashes

While less common, a randomly generated hash may be used in place of the character's write time. The hashes can be proprietary to the identification script, allowing for validation of the hash.

Notable scripts

OWOT Candy Cane

OWOT Candy Cane is an identification script by Dupy. It alternates his text between URL and coordinate links every 2 characters and adds a JavaScript link that provides his name, the write time and date, and the current version.

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  First version
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  Later revision with the write date
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  OWOT Candy Cane v0.11.1-2