diff --git a/include/pcp/buffer.h b/include/pcp/buffer.h
index ef184b5..c3dbbf8 100644
--- a/include/pcp/buffer.h
+++ b/include/pcp/buffer.h
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ int buffer_done(Buffer *b);
     Then the following code would:
 
     @code
-    unsigned char g[4];
+    byte g[4];
     buffer_get_chunk(b, g, 4);  // => g now contains 'AAAA' 
     buffer_get_chunk(b, g, 4);  // => g now contains 'BBBB' 
     buffer_get_chunk(b, g, 4);  // => g now contains 'CCCC' 
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ size_t buffer_get_chunk(Buffer *b, void *buf, size_t len);
      
     \return Pointer to the buffer data storage. 
 */
-unsigned char *buffer_get(Buffer *b);
+byte *buffer_get(Buffer *b);
 
 /** Read the whole Buffer content as string.
 
@@ -365,8 +365,8 @@ char *buffer_get_str(Buffer *b);
 
     @code
     [..]
-    unsigned char g[4];
-    unsigned char *r = NULL;
+    byte g[4];
+    byte *r = NULL;
     buffer_get_chunk(b, g, 4);    // => g now contains 'AAAA'
     size_t rs = buffer_left(b);   // => rs = 8
     r = buffer_get_remainder(b);  // => r now contains 'BBBBCCCC' and has a size of 8
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ char *buffer_get_str(Buffer *b);
      
     \return Pointer to the remaining chunk of data (copy).
 */
-unsigned char *buffer_get_remainder(Buffer *b);
+byte *buffer_get_remainder(Buffer *b);
 
 /** Read some data inside the Buffer.
 
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ unsigned char *buffer_get_remainder(Buffer *b);
     Then:
     @code
     [..]
-    unsigned char g[4];
+    byte g[4];
     buffer_extract(b, g, 4, 4);  // => g now contains 'BBBB'
     @endcode
 
@@ -455,8 +455,8 @@ size_t buffer_size(const Buffer *b);
     Then:
     @code
     [..]
-    unsigned char g[4];
-    unsigned char x[16];
+    byte g[4];
+    byte x[16];
     buffer_get_chunk(b, g, 4);  // => g now contains 'BBBB'
     if(buffer_left(b) >= 16)    // => will return 8 and therefore fail
       buffer_get_chunk(b, x, 16);
diff --git a/include/pcp/crypto.h b/include/pcp/crypto.h
index 50aa8b8..5b85535 100644
--- a/include/pcp/crypto.h
+++ b/include/pcp/crypto.h
@@ -115,16 +115,16 @@
    of 32k, N is a nonce (new per block) and S the symmetric key.
 */
 
-size_t pcp_sodium_box(unsigned char **cipher,
-                      unsigned char *cleartext,
+size_t pcp_sodium_box(byte **cipher,
+                      byte *cleartext,
                       size_t clearsize,
-                      unsigned char *nonce,
-                      unsigned char *secret,
-                      unsigned char *pub);
+                      byte *nonce,
+                      byte *secret,
+                      byte *pub);
 
-int pcp_sodium_verify_box(unsigned char **cleartext, unsigned char* message,
-                          size_t messagesize, unsigned char *nonce,
-                          unsigned char *secret, unsigned char *pub);
+int pcp_sodium_verify_box(byte **cleartext, byte* message,
+                          size_t messagesize, byte *nonce,
+                          byte *secret, byte *pub);
 
 /** Asymmetrically encrypt a message.
 
@@ -143,11 +143,11 @@ int pcp_sodium_verify_box(unsigned char **cleartext, unsigned char* message,
 
     \param[out] csize A pointer which will be set to the size of the encrypted result if successful.
 
-    \return Returns an allocated unsigned char array of the size csize which contains the encrypted result.
+    \return Returns an allocated byte array of the size csize which contains the encrypted result.
             In case of an error, it returns NULL sets csize to 0. Use fatals_ifany() to check for errors.
 */
-unsigned char *pcp_box_encrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
-                               unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize,
+byte *pcp_box_encrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
+                               byte *message, size_t messagesize,
 			       size_t *csize);
 
 /** Asymmetrically decrypt a message.
@@ -167,11 +167,11 @@ unsigned char *pcp_box_encrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
 
     \param[out] dsize A pointer which will be set to the size of the decrypted result if successful.
 
-    \return Returns an allocated unsigned char array of the size csize which contains the encrypted result.
+    \return Returns an allocated byte array of the size csize which contains the encrypted result.
             In case of an error, it returns NULL sets csize to 0. Use fatals_ifany() to check for errors.
 */
-unsigned char *pcp_box_decrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
-                               unsigned char *cipher, size_t ciphersize,
+byte *pcp_box_decrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
+                               byte *cipher, size_t ciphersize,
 			       size_t *dsize);
 
 
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ size_t pcp_encrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, pcp_pubke
 
     \return Returns the size of the output written to the output stream or 0 in case of errors.
 */
-size_t pcp_encrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, unsigned char *symkey, int havehead, pcp_rec_t *recsign);
+size_t pcp_encrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, byte *symkey, int havehead, pcp_rec_t *recsign);
 
 
 /** Asymmetrically decrypt a file or a buffer stream.
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ size_t pcp_encrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, unsigned char *symk
 
     \return Returns the size of the output written to the output stream or 0 in case of errors.
 */
-size_t pcp_decrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, unsigned char *symkey, int verify);
+size_t pcp_decrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, byte *symkey, int verify);
 
 
 /** Symmetrically decrypt a file or a buffer stream.
@@ -263,9 +263,9 @@ size_t pcp_decrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, unsigned
 
     \return Returns the size of the output written to the output stream or 0 in case of errors.
 */
-size_t pcp_decrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, unsigned char *symkey, pcp_rec_t *recverify);
+size_t pcp_decrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, byte *symkey, pcp_rec_t *recverify);
 
-pcp_rec_t *pcp_rec_new(unsigned char *cipher, size_t clen, pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub);
+pcp_rec_t *pcp_rec_new(byte *cipher, size_t clen, pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub);
 void pcp_rec_free(pcp_rec_t *r);
 
 #endif /*  _HAVE_PCP_CRYPTO_H */
diff --git a/include/pcp/ed.h b/include/pcp/ed.h
index 8c9371c..9864780 100644
--- a/include/pcp/ed.h
+++ b/include/pcp/ed.h
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
     \return Returns message+signature with size of messagesize + crypto_sign_BYTES,
             or NULL in case of an error.
 */
-unsigned char *pcp_ed_sign(unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t *s);
+byte *pcp_ed_sign(byte *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t *s);
 
 /** Sign a raw message using s->mastersecret.
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ unsigned char *pcp_ed_sign(unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t
     \return Returns message+signature with size of messagesize + crypto_sign_BYTES,
             or NULL in case of an error.
 
-*/unsigned char *pcp_ed_sign_key(unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t *s);
+*/byte *pcp_ed_sign_key(byte *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t *s);
 
 /** Verify a signature.
 
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ unsigned char *pcp_ed_sign(unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t
     \return If the signature verifies return the raw message with the signature removed (size: siglen - crypto_sign_BYTES),
     returns NULL in case of errors. Check fatals_if_any().
 */
-unsigned char *pcp_ed_verify(unsigned char *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey_t *p);
+byte *pcp_ed_verify(byte *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey_t *p);
 
 /**  Verify a signature using the mastersecret.
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ unsigned char *pcp_ed_verify(unsigned char *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey
     \return If the signature verifies return the raw message with the signature removed (size: siglen - crypto_sign_BYTES),
     returns NULL in case of errors. Check fatals_if_any().
 */
-unsigned char *pcp_ed_verify_key(unsigned char *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey_t *p);
+byte *pcp_ed_verify_key(byte *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey_t *p);
 
 /** Sign a stream in 32k block mode.
 
diff --git a/include/pcp/key.h b/include/pcp/key.h
index 696f605..f86b0f3 100644
--- a/include/pcp/key.h
+++ b/include/pcp/key.h
@@ -342,9 +342,9 @@ char *pcp_getpubkeyid(pcp_pubkey_t *k);
 
     \param[in] k The public key structure.
 
-    \return Returns a pointer to an 32 byte unsigned char.
+    \return Returns a pointer to an 32 byte byte.
  */
-unsigned char *pcppubkey_getchecksum(pcp_pubkey_t *k);
+byte *pcppubkey_getchecksum(pcp_pubkey_t *k);
 
 /** Calculate a checksum of a public key part of the given secret key.
 
@@ -352,9 +352,9 @@ unsigned char *pcppubkey_getchecksum(pcp_pubkey_t *k);
 
     \param[in] k The secret key structure.
 
-    \return Returns a pointer to an 32 byte unsigned char.
+    \return Returns a pointer to an 32 byte byte.
  */
-unsigned char *pcpkey_getchecksum(pcp_key_t *k);
+byte *pcpkey_getchecksum(pcp_key_t *k);
 
 
 /** Checks if a secret key structure is registered in the secret key hash.
@@ -396,14 +396,14 @@ pcp_pubkey_t *pubkey2native(pcp_pubkey_t *k);
     functions. It allocates the memory and the caller is responsible
     to clear and free() it after use.
 
-    \return Returns a pointer to a 24 byte unsigned char array.
+    \return Returns a pointer to a 24 byte byte array.
 */
-unsigned char * pcp_gennonce();
+byte * pcp_gennonce();
 
 /*  use scrypt() to create a key from a passphrase and a nonce
     FIXME: use pure scrypt() instead.
 */
-unsigned char *pcp_derivekey(char *passphrase, unsigned char *nonce);
+byte *pcp_derivekey(char *passphrase, byte *nonce);
 
 /* FIXME: abandon and use Buffer instead */
 void pcp_seckeyblob(void *blob, pcp_key_t *k);
diff --git a/include/pcp/mac.h b/include/pcp/mac.h
index 8e000b0..38d811f 100644
--- a/include/pcp/mac.h
+++ b/include/pcp/mac.h
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <sodium.h>
+#include "defines.h"
 #include "pad.h"
 #include "mem.h"
 
@@ -55,11 +56,11 @@
 
     \return Returns the size of \a cipher.
  */
-size_t pcp_sodium_mac(unsigned char **cipher,
-                      unsigned char *cleartext,
+size_t pcp_sodium_mac(byte **cipher,
+                      byte *cleartext,
                       size_t clearsize,
-                      unsigned char *nonce,
-                      unsigned char *key);
+                      byte *nonce,
+                      byte *key);
 
 /** Decrypt a symmetrically encrypted message.
 
@@ -79,11 +80,11 @@ size_t pcp_sodium_mac(unsigned char **cipher,
     \return Returns 0 in case of success of -1 in case of an error. Check fatals_if_any().
 
  */
-int pcp_sodium_verify_mac(unsigned char **cleartext,
-                          unsigned char* message,
+int pcp_sodium_verify_mac(byte **cleartext,
+                          byte* message,
                           size_t messagesize,
-                          unsigned char *nonce,
-                          unsigned char *key);
+                          byte *nonce,
+                          byte *key);
 
 
 
diff --git a/include/pcp/mem.h b/include/pcp/mem.h
index ea049b2..fe43ad9 100644
--- a/include/pcp/mem.h
+++ b/include/pcp/mem.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
+#include "defines.h"
 #include "platform.h"
 
 /*  simple malloc()  wrapper  */
diff --git a/include/pcp/mgmt.h b/include/pcp/mgmt.h
index f2ec3a6..521005a 100644
--- a/include/pcp/mgmt.h
+++ b/include/pcp/mgmt.h
@@ -298,12 +298,12 @@ Buffer *pcp_export_c_pub(pcp_key_t *sk);
 */
 Buffer *pcp_export_secret(pcp_key_t *sk, char *passphrase);
 
-pcp_ks_bundle_t *pcp_import_pub(unsigned char *raw, size_t rawsize);
+pcp_ks_bundle_t *pcp_import_pub(byte *raw, size_t rawsize);
 pcp_ks_bundle_t *pcp_import_pub_rfc(Buffer *blob);
 pcp_ks_bundle_t *pcp_import_pub_pbp(Buffer *blob);
 
 /* import secret key */
-pcp_key_t *pcp_import_secret(unsigned char *raw, size_t rawsize, char *passphrase);
+pcp_key_t *pcp_import_secret(byte *raw, size_t rawsize, char *passphrase);
 pcp_key_t *pcp_import_secret_native(Buffer *cipher, char *passphrase);
 
 #endif // _HAVE_PCP_MGMT_H
diff --git a/include/pcp/pad.h b/include/pcp/pad.h
index d9c7cf6..d12ff09 100644
--- a/include/pcp/pad.h
+++ b/include/pcp/pad.h
@@ -59,13 +59,13 @@
 /*  sample call: */
 /*  */
 /*  char unpadded[] = {0xef, 0xa5}; */
-/*  unsigned char *padded; */
+/*  byte *padded; */
 /*  pcp_pad_prepend(&padded, unpadded, 8, 2); */
 /*  */
 /*  the result, padded, would be 10 bytes long, 8 */
 /*  bytes for the leading zeros and 2 for the content */
 /*  of the original unpadded. */
-void pcp_pad_prepend(unsigned char **padded, unsigned char *unpadded,
+void pcp_pad_prepend(byte **padded, byte *unpadded,
 		 size_t padlen, size_t unpadlen);
 
 /*  removes zero's of a binary stream, which is */
@@ -86,12 +86,12 @@ void pcp_pad_prepend(unsigned char **padded, unsigned char *unpadded,
 /*  sample call: */
 /*  */
 /*  char padded[] = {0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xef, 0xa5}; */
-/*  unsigned char *unpadded; */
+/*  byte *unpadded; */
 /*  pcp_pad_remove(unpadded, padded, 4, 2); */
 /*  */
 /*  the result, unpadded would be 2 bytes long containing */
 /*  only the 2 bytes we want to have with zeros removed. */
-void pcp_pad_remove(unsigned char **unpadded, unsigned char *padded,
+void pcp_pad_remove(byte **unpadded, byte *padded,
 		size_t padlen, size_t unpadlen);
 
 
diff --git a/include/pcp/scrypt.h b/include/pcp/scrypt.h
index b0d44d0..c07c76b 100644
--- a/include/pcp/scrypt.h
+++ b/include/pcp/scrypt.h
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 #include "mem.h"
 #include "defines.h"
 
-unsigned char * pcp_scrypt(char *passwd, size_t passwdlen, unsigned char *nonce, size_t noncelen);
+byte * pcp_scrypt(char *passwd, size_t passwdlen, byte *nonce, size_t noncelen);
 
 #endif /*  _HAVE_PCP_SCRYPT_H */
 
diff --git a/include/pcp/uthash.h b/include/pcp/uthash.h
index 72acf11..0952631 100755
--- a/include/pcp/uthash.h
+++ b/include/pcp/uthash.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ do {
 /* a number of the hash function use uint32_t which isn't defined on win32 */
 #ifdef _MSC_VER
 typedef unsigned int uint32_t;
-typedef unsigned char uint8_t;
+typedef byte uint8_t;
 #else
 #include <inttypes.h>   /* uint32_t */
 #endif
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ do {
 #define HASH_JEN(key,keylen,num_bkts,hashv,bkt)                                  \
 do {                                                                             \
   unsigned _hj_i,_hj_j,_hj_k;                                                    \
-  unsigned char *_hj_key=(unsigned char*)(key);                                  \
+  byte *_hj_key=(byte*)(key);                                  \
   hashv = 0xfeedbeef;                                                            \
   _hj_i = _hj_j = 0x9e3779b9;                                                    \
   _hj_k = (unsigned)(keylen);                                                      \
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ do {
 #endif
 #define HASH_SFH(key,keylen,num_bkts,hashv,bkt)                                  \
 do {                                                                             \
-  unsigned char *_sfh_key=(unsigned char*)(key);                                 \
+  byte *_sfh_key=(byte*)(key);                                 \
   uint32_t _sfh_tmp, _sfh_len = keylen;                                          \
                                                                                  \
   int _sfh_rem = _sfh_len & 3;                                                   \
diff --git a/include/pcp/util.h b/include/pcp/util.h
index b9ad053..42decb3 100644
--- a/include/pcp/util.h
+++ b/include/pcp/util.h
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 
-
+#include "defines.h"
 
 
 /** Convert a char array to lowercase.
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ char *_lc(char *in);
     \return Returns the offset or -1 of the offset were not found.
 
  */
-size_t _findoffset(unsigned char *bin, size_t binlen, char *sigstart, size_t hlen);
+size_t _findoffset(byte *bin, size_t binlen, char *sigstart, size_t hlen);
 
 /** XOR an input buffer with another buffer.
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ size_t _findoffset(unsigned char *bin, size_t binlen, char *sigstart, size_t hle
 
     \param[in] xlen The size of the buffers (they must have the same size).
  */
-void _xorbuf(unsigned char *iv, unsigned char *buf, size_t xlen);
+void _xorbuf(byte *iv, byte *buf, size_t xlen);
 
 /** Dump binary data as hex to stderr.
 
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ void _xorbuf(unsigned char *iv, unsigned char *buf, size_t xlen);
 
     \param[in] s Size of d.
  */
-void _dump(char *n, unsigned char *d, size_t s);
+void _dump(char *n, byte *d, size_t s);
 
 #endif /*  _HAVE_PCP_UTIL_H */
 
diff --git a/include/pcp/vault.h b/include/pcp/vault.h
index fef5cc6..46dc91c 100644
--- a/include/pcp/vault.h
+++ b/include/pcp/vault.h
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ int pcpvault_copy(vault_t *tmp, vault_t *vault);
 void pcpvault_unlink(vault_t *tmp);
 
 /* calculate the vault checksum */
-unsigned char *pcpvault_create_checksum(vault_t *vault);
+byte *pcpvault_create_checksum(vault_t *vault);
 
 /* write the new checksum to the header of the current vault */
 void pcpvault_update_checksum(vault_t *vault);
diff --git a/libpcp/buffer.c b/libpcp/buffer.c
index 4fc4dc0..bf8c11c 100644
--- a/libpcp/buffer.c
+++ b/libpcp/buffer.c
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void buffer_add_str(Buffer *b, const char * fmt, ...) {
 
 void buffer_add_hex(Buffer *b, void *data, size_t len) {
   size_t i;
-  unsigned char *d = data;
+  byte *d = data;
   for(i=0; i<len; ++i) {
     buffer_add_str(b, "%02x", d[i]);
   }
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ void buffer_resize(Buffer *b, size_t len) {
   }
 }
 
-unsigned char *buffer_get(Buffer *b) {
+byte *buffer_get(Buffer *b) {
   if(b->end > 0)
     return b->buf;
   else
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ size_t buffer_get_chunk(Buffer *b, void *buf, size_t len) {
   return len;
 }
 
-unsigned char *buffer_get_remainder(Buffer *b) {
+byte *buffer_get_remainder(Buffer *b) {
   void *buf = ucmalloc(b->end - b->offset);
   if(buffer_get_chunk(b, buf, b->end - b->offset) == 0) {
     free(buf);
diff --git a/libpcp/crypto.c b/libpcp/crypto.c
index 531b479..d8ee7bf 100644
--- a/libpcp/crypto.c
+++ b/libpcp/crypto.c
@@ -22,15 +22,15 @@
 
 #include "crypto.h"
 
-size_t pcp_sodium_box(unsigned char **cipher,
-		      unsigned char *cleartext,
+size_t pcp_sodium_box(byte **cipher,
+		      byte *cleartext,
 		      size_t clearsize,
-		      unsigned char *nonce,
-		      unsigned char *secret,
-		      unsigned char *pub) {
+		      byte *nonce,
+		      byte *secret,
+		      byte *pub) {
 
-  unsigned char *pad_clear;
-  unsigned char *pad_cipher;
+  byte *pad_clear;
+  byte *pad_cipher;
 
   size_t ciphersize = (clearsize + crypto_box_ZEROBYTES) - crypto_box_BOXZEROBYTES;
 
@@ -52,16 +52,16 @@ size_t pcp_sodium_box(unsigned char **cipher,
 
 
 
-int pcp_sodium_verify_box(unsigned char **cleartext, unsigned char* message,
-			  size_t messagesize, unsigned char *nonce,
-			  unsigned char *secret, unsigned char *pub) {
+int pcp_sodium_verify_box(byte **cleartext, byte* message,
+			  size_t messagesize, byte *nonce,
+			  byte *secret, byte *pub) {
   /*  verify/decrypt the box */
-  unsigned char *pad_cipher;
-  unsigned char *pad_clear;
+  byte *pad_cipher;
+  byte *pad_clear;
   int success = -1;
 
   pcp_pad_prepend(&pad_cipher, message, crypto_box_BOXZEROBYTES, messagesize);
-  pad_clear = (unsigned char *)ucmalloc((crypto_box_ZEROBYTES+ messagesize));
+  pad_clear = (byte *)ucmalloc((crypto_box_ZEROBYTES+ messagesize));
 
   /*  crypto_box_open(m,c,clen,n,pk,sk); */
   if (crypto_box_open(pad_clear, pad_cipher,
@@ -81,13 +81,13 @@ int pcp_sodium_verify_box(unsigned char **cleartext, unsigned char* message,
 
 
 
-unsigned char *pcp_box_encrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
-			       unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize,
+byte *pcp_box_encrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
+			       byte *message, size_t messagesize,
 			       size_t *csize) {
 
-  unsigned char *nonce = pcp_gennonce();
+  byte *nonce = pcp_gennonce();
 
-  unsigned char *cipher;
+  byte *cipher;
 
   size_t es = pcp_sodium_box(&cipher, message, messagesize, nonce,
 		 secret->secret, pub->pub);
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ unsigned char *pcp_box_encrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
   /* fprintf(stderr, " nonce: "); pcpprint_bin(stderr, nonce, crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES); fprintf(stderr, "\n"); */
 
   /*  put nonce and cipher together */
-  unsigned char *combined = ucmalloc(es + crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
+  byte *combined = ucmalloc(es + crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
   memcpy(combined, nonce, crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
   memcpy(&combined[crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES], cipher, es);
 
@@ -124,14 +124,14 @@ unsigned char *pcp_box_encrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
 }
 
 
-unsigned char *pcp_box_decrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
-			       unsigned char *cipher, size_t ciphersize,
+byte *pcp_box_decrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
+			       byte *cipher, size_t ciphersize,
 			       size_t *dsize) {
 
-  unsigned char *message = NULL;
+  byte *message = NULL;
 
-  unsigned char *nonce = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
-  unsigned char *cipheronly = ucmalloc(ciphersize - crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
+  byte *nonce = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
+  byte *cipheronly = ucmalloc(ciphersize - crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
 
   memcpy(nonce, cipher, crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
   memcpy(cipheronly, &cipher[crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES],
@@ -161,21 +161,22 @@ unsigned char *pcp_box_decrypt(pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub,
   return NULL;
 }
 
-size_t pcp_decrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, unsigned char *symkey, int verify) {
+size_t pcp_decrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, byte *symkey, int verify) {
   pcp_pubkey_t *cur = NULL;
   pcp_pubkey_t *sender = NULL;
-  unsigned char *reccipher = NULL;
-  int nrec, recmatch;
+  byte *reccipher = NULL;
+  int nrec, recmatch, self;
   uint32_t lenrec;
   byte head[1];
   size_t cur_bufsize, rec_size;
   
-  unsigned char rec_buf[PCP_ASYM_RECIPIENT_SIZE];
+  byte rec_buf[PCP_ASYM_RECIPIENT_SIZE];
 
 #ifdef PCP_ASYM_ADD_SENDER_PUB
-  unsigned char *senderpub;
+  byte *senderpub;
 #endif
-  int self = 0;
+
+  nrec = recmatch = self = 0;
 
   if(ps_tell(in) == 1) {
     /*  header has already been determined outside the lib */
@@ -238,7 +239,7 @@ size_t pcp_decrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, unsigned
     recmatch = 0;
 
     pcphash_iteratepub(cur) {
-      unsigned char *recipient;
+      byte *recipient;
       recipient = pcp_box_decrypt(s, cur, rec_buf, PCP_ASYM_RECIPIENT_SIZE, &rec_size);
       if(recipient != NULL && rec_size == crypto_secretbox_KEYBYTES) {
 	/*  found a match */
@@ -278,9 +279,9 @@ size_t pcp_decrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, unsigned
 }
 
 size_t pcp_encrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, pcp_key_t *s, pcp_pubkey_t *p, int sign) {
-  unsigned char *symkey;
+  byte *symkey;
   int recipient_count;
-  unsigned char *recipients_cipher;
+  byte *recipients_cipher;
   pcp_pubkey_t *cur, *t;
   size_t es;
   int nrec;
@@ -307,7 +308,7 @@ size_t pcp_encrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, pcp_key_t *s, pcp_pubke
   nrec = 0;
 
   HASH_ITER(hh, p, cur, t) {
-    unsigned char *rec_cipher;
+    byte *rec_cipher;
     rec_cipher = pcp_box_encrypt(s, cur, symkey, crypto_secretbox_KEYBYTES, &es);
     if(es != rec_size) {
       fatal("invalid rec_size, expected %dl, got %dl\n", rec_size, es);
@@ -388,20 +389,20 @@ size_t pcp_encrypt_stream(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, pcp_key_t *s, pcp_pubke
 
 
 
-size_t pcp_encrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, unsigned char *symkey, int havehead, pcp_rec_t *recsign) {
+size_t pcp_encrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, byte *symkey, int havehead, pcp_rec_t *recsign) {
   /*
     havehead = 0: write the whole thing from here
     havehead = 1: no header, being called from asym...
   */
 
-  unsigned char *buf_nonce;
-  unsigned char *buf_cipher;
-  unsigned char in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
+  byte *buf_nonce;
+  byte *buf_cipher;
+  byte in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
   size_t cur_bufsize = 0;
   size_t out_size = 0;
   size_t es;
   crypto_generichash_state *st = NULL;
-  unsigned char *hash = NULL;
+  byte *hash = NULL;
   byte head[1];
 
   if(recsign != NULL) {
@@ -424,8 +425,8 @@ size_t pcp_encrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, unsigned char *symk
   /*  write the IV, pad it with rubbish, since pcp_decrypt_file_sym */
   /*  reads in with  PCP_BLOCK_SIZE_IN buffersize and uses the last */
   /*  PCP_BLOCK_SIZE as IV. */
-  unsigned char *iv = urmalloc(PCP_BLOCK_SIZE);
-  unsigned char *ivpad = urmalloc(PCP_BLOCK_SIZE_IN - PCP_BLOCK_SIZE);
+  byte *iv = urmalloc(PCP_BLOCK_SIZE);
+  byte *ivpad = urmalloc(PCP_BLOCK_SIZE_IN - PCP_BLOCK_SIZE);
 
   ps_write(out, ivpad, PCP_BLOCK_SIZE_IN - PCP_BLOCK_SIZE);
   ps_write(out, iv, PCP_BLOCK_SIZE);
@@ -478,7 +479,7 @@ size_t pcp_encrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, unsigned char *symk
     crypto_generichash_final(st, hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
 
     /* generate the actual signature */
-    unsigned char *signature = pcp_ed_sign(hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX, recsign->secret);
+    byte *signature = pcp_ed_sign(hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX, recsign->secret);
     size_t siglen = crypto_sign_BYTES + crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX;
 
     /* encrypt it as well */
@@ -503,27 +504,27 @@ size_t pcp_encrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, unsigned char *symk
     free(st);
     free(hash);
   }
-  return NULL;
+  return 0;
 }
 
-size_t pcp_decrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, unsigned char *symkey, pcp_rec_t *recverify) {
-  unsigned char *buf_nonce;
-  unsigned char *buf_cipher;
-  unsigned char *buf_clear;
+size_t pcp_decrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, byte *symkey, pcp_rec_t *recverify) {
+  byte *buf_nonce;
+  byte *buf_cipher;
+  byte *buf_clear;
   size_t out_size, cur_bufsize, es;
   size_t ciphersize = (PCP_BLOCK_SIZE_IN) - crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES;
-  unsigned char in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE_IN];
+  byte in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE_IN];
 
   buf_nonce  = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
   buf_cipher = ucmalloc(ciphersize);
   out_size = 0;
 
-  unsigned char *signature = NULL;
-  unsigned char *signature_cr = NULL;
+  byte *signature = NULL;
+  byte *signature_cr = NULL;
   size_t siglen = crypto_sign_BYTES + crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX;
   size_t siglen_cr = siglen + PCP_CRYPTO_ADD + crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES;
   crypto_generichash_state *st = NULL;
-  unsigned char *hash = NULL;
+  byte *hash = NULL;
 
   if(recverify != NULL) {
     st = ucmalloc(sizeof(crypto_generichash_state));
@@ -533,7 +534,7 @@ size_t pcp_decrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, unsigned char *symk
   }
 
 #ifdef PCP_CBC
-  unsigned char *iv = NULL; /*  will be filled during 1st loop */
+  byte *iv = NULL; /*  will be filled during 1st loop */
 #endif
 
   while(!ps_end(in)) {
@@ -612,7 +613,7 @@ size_t pcp_decrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, unsigned char *symk
       crypto_generichash_update(st, recverify->cipher, recverify->ciphersize);
       crypto_generichash_final(st, hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
 
-      unsigned char *verifiedhash = NULL;
+      byte *verifiedhash = NULL;
       verifiedhash = pcp_ed_verify(signature, siglen, recverify->pub);
       if(verifiedhash == NULL)
 	out_size = 0;
@@ -639,7 +640,7 @@ size_t pcp_decrypt_stream_sym(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, unsigned char *symk
 
 }
 
-pcp_rec_t *pcp_rec_new(unsigned char *cipher, size_t clen, pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub) {
+pcp_rec_t *pcp_rec_new(byte *cipher, size_t clen, pcp_key_t *secret, pcp_pubkey_t *pub) {
   pcp_rec_t *r = ucmalloc(sizeof(pcp_rec_t));
   r->cipher = ucmalloc(clen);
   memcpy(r->cipher, cipher, clen);
diff --git a/libpcp/ed.c b/libpcp/ed.c
index 12055c9..c1f608c 100644
--- a/libpcp/ed.c
+++ b/libpcp/ed.c
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 
 #include "ed.h"
 
-unsigned char * pcp_ed_verify_key(unsigned char *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
-  unsigned char *message = ucmalloc(siglen - crypto_sign_BYTES);
+byte * pcp_ed_verify_key(byte *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
+  byte *message = ucmalloc(siglen - crypto_sign_BYTES);
   unsigned long long mlen;
 
   if(crypto_sign_open(message, &mlen, signature, siglen, p->masterpub) != 0) {
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ unsigned char * pcp_ed_verify_key(unsigned char *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_p
   return NULL;
 }
 
-unsigned char * pcp_ed_verify(unsigned char *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
-  unsigned char *message = ucmalloc(siglen); /* we alloc the full size, the resulting len will be returned by nacl anyway - crypto_sign_BYTES); */
+byte * pcp_ed_verify(byte *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
+  byte *message = ucmalloc(siglen); /* we alloc the full size, the resulting len will be returned by nacl anyway - crypto_sign_BYTES); */
   unsigned long long mlen;
 
   if(crypto_sign_open(message, &mlen, signature, siglen, p->edpub) != 0) {
@@ -53,18 +53,18 @@ unsigned char * pcp_ed_verify(unsigned char *signature, size_t siglen, pcp_pubke
   return NULL;
 }
 
-unsigned char *pcp_ed_sign_key(unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t *s) {
+byte *pcp_ed_sign_key(byte *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t *s) {
   unsigned long long mlen = messagesize + crypto_sign_BYTES;
-  unsigned char *signature = ucmalloc(mlen);
+  byte *signature = ucmalloc(mlen);
 
   crypto_sign(signature, &mlen, message, messagesize, s->mastersecret);
 
   return signature;
 }
 
-unsigned char *pcp_ed_sign(unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t *s) {
+byte *pcp_ed_sign(byte *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t *s) {
   unsigned long long mlen = messagesize + crypto_sign_BYTES;
-  unsigned char *signature = ucmalloc(mlen);
+  byte *signature = ucmalloc(mlen);
 
   crypto_sign(signature, &mlen, message, messagesize, s->edsecret);
 
@@ -72,11 +72,11 @@ unsigned char *pcp_ed_sign(unsigned char *message, size_t messagesize, pcp_key_t
 }
 
 size_t pcp_ed_sign_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, int z85) {
-  unsigned char in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
+  byte in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
   size_t cur_bufsize = 0;
   size_t outsize = 0;
   crypto_generichash_state *st = ucmalloc(sizeof(crypto_generichash_state));
-  unsigned char hash[crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX];
+  byte hash[crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX];
 
   crypto_generichash_init(st, NULL, 0, 0);
 
@@ -101,13 +101,13 @@ size_t pcp_ed_sign_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, int z85
 
   crypto_generichash_final(st, hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
 
-  unsigned char *signature = pcp_ed_sign(hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX, s);
+  byte *signature = pcp_ed_sign(hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX, s);
   size_t mlen = + crypto_sign_BYTES + crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX;
 
   if(z85) {
     ps_print(out, "\r\n%s\r\n~ Version: PCP v%d.%d.%d ~\r\n\r\n", PCP_SIG_START, PCP_VERSION_MAJOR, PCP_VERSION_MINOR, PCP_VERSION_PATCH);
     size_t zlen;
-    char *z85encoded = pcp_z85_encode((unsigned char*)signature, mlen, &zlen);
+    char *z85encoded = pcp_z85_encode((byte*)signature, mlen, &zlen);
     ps_print(out, "%s\r\n%s\r\n", z85encoded, PCP_SIG_END);
   }
   else {
@@ -121,9 +121,9 @@ size_t pcp_ed_sign_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream* out, pcp_key_t *s, int z85
 }
 
 pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_verify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
-  unsigned char in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE/2];
-  unsigned char in_next[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE/2];
-  unsigned char in_full[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
+  byte in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE/2];
+  byte in_next[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE/2];
+  byte in_full[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
 
   size_t cur_bufsize = 0;
   size_t next_bufsize = 0;
@@ -132,14 +132,14 @@ pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_verify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
   int z85 = 0;
   int gotsig = 0;
 
-  unsigned char hash[crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX];
+  byte hash[crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX];
   char zhead[] = PCP_SIG_HEADER;
   size_t hlen = strlen(PCP_SIG_HEADER);
   size_t hlen2 = 17; /* " hash: blake2\r\n\r\n" FIXME: parse and calculate */
   size_t mlen = + crypto_sign_BYTES + crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX;
   size_t zlen = 262; /*  FIXME: calculate */
-  unsigned char z85encoded[zlen];
-  unsigned char sighash[mlen];
+  byte z85encoded[zlen];
+  byte sighash[mlen];
   char z85sigstart[] = "\n" PCP_SIG_START; /* FIXME: verifies, but it misses the \r! */
   char binsigstart[] = PCP_SIGPREFIX;
   char sigstart[] = PCP_SIG_START;
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_verify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
       goto errvb1;
 
     size_t dstlen;
-    unsigned char *z85decoded = pcp_z85_decode(z85block, &dstlen);
+    byte *z85decoded = pcp_z85_decode(z85block, &dstlen);
     if(dstlen != mlen) {
       fatal("z85 decoded signature didn't result in a proper signed hash(got: %ld, expected: %ld)\n", dstlen, mlen);
       goto errvb1;
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_verify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
   /*  else: if unarmored, sighash is already filled */
 
   /*  huh, how did we made it til here? */
-  unsigned char *verifiedhash = NULL;
+  byte *verifiedhash = NULL;
   if(p == NULL) {
     pcphash_iteratepub(p) {
       verifiedhash = pcp_ed_verify(sighash, mlen, p);
@@ -300,11 +300,11 @@ pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_verify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
 }
 
 size_t pcp_ed_detachsign_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, pcp_key_t *s) {
-  unsigned char in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
+  byte in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
   size_t cur_bufsize = 0;
   size_t outsize = 0;
   crypto_generichash_state *st = ucmalloc(sizeof(crypto_generichash_state));
-  unsigned char hash[crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX];
+  byte hash[crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX];
 
   crypto_generichash_init(st, NULL, 0, 0);
 
@@ -318,13 +318,13 @@ size_t pcp_ed_detachsign_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, pcp_key_t *s) {
 
   crypto_generichash_final(st, hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
 
-  unsigned char *signature = pcp_ed_sign(hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX, s);
+  byte *signature = pcp_ed_sign(hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX, s);
   size_t mlen = + crypto_sign_BYTES + crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX;
 
   ps_print(out, "\r\n%s\r\n~ Version: PCP v%d.%d.%d ~\r\n\r\n",
 	  PCP_SIG_START, PCP_VERSION_MAJOR, PCP_VERSION_MINOR, PCP_VERSION_PATCH);
   size_t zlen;
-  char *z85encoded = pcp_z85_encode((unsigned char*)signature, mlen, &zlen);
+  char *z85encoded = pcp_z85_encode((byte*)signature, mlen, &zlen);
   ps_print(out, "%s\r\n%s\r\n", z85encoded, PCP_SIG_END);
 
   free(st);
@@ -333,11 +333,11 @@ size_t pcp_ed_detachsign_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *out, pcp_key_t *s) {
 }
 
 pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_detachverify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *sigfd, pcp_pubkey_t *p) {
-  unsigned char in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
+  byte in_buf[PCP_BLOCK_SIZE];
   size_t cur_bufsize = 0;
   size_t outsize = 0;
   crypto_generichash_state *st = ucmalloc(sizeof(crypto_generichash_state));
-  unsigned char hash[crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX];
+  byte hash[crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX];
   size_t mlen = + crypto_sign_BYTES + crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX;
 
   crypto_generichash_init(st, NULL, 0, 0);
@@ -353,19 +353,19 @@ pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_detachverify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *sigfd, pcp_
   crypto_generichash_final(st, hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
 
   /*  read the sig */
-  unsigned char *sig = NULL;
+  byte *sig = NULL;
   size_t inputBufSize = 0;
-  unsigned char byte[1];
+  byte onebyte[1];
   
   while(!ps_end(sigfd)) {
-    if(!ps_read(sigfd, &byte, 1))
+    if(!ps_read(sigfd, &onebyte, 1))
       break;
     /*
     if(!fread(&byte, 1, 1, sigfd))
       break;*/
-    unsigned char *tmp = realloc(sig, inputBufSize + 1);
+    byte *tmp = realloc(sig, inputBufSize + 1);
     sig = tmp;
-    memmove(&sig[inputBufSize], byte, 1);
+    memmove(&sig[inputBufSize], onebyte, 1);
     inputBufSize ++;
   }
 
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_detachverify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *sigfd, pcp_
     goto errdea2;
 
   size_t clen;
-  unsigned char *sighash = pcp_z85_decode(z85block, &clen);
+  byte *sighash = pcp_z85_decode(z85block, &clen);
   if(sighash == NULL)
     goto errdea3;
 
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ pcp_pubkey_t *pcp_ed_detachverify_buffered(Pcpstream *in, Pcpstream *sigfd, pcp_
     goto errdea4;
   }
   
-  unsigned char *verifiedhash = NULL;
+  byte *verifiedhash = NULL;
   if(p == NULL) {
     pcphash_iteratepub(p) {
       verifiedhash = pcp_ed_verify(sighash, mlen, p);
diff --git a/libpcp/key.c b/libpcp/key.c
index 2ac38a0..c00bfa3 100644
--- a/libpcp/key.c
+++ b/libpcp/key.c
@@ -28,15 +28,15 @@
  * derivation function. However, I create a hash from the pcp_scrypt()
  * result anyway because I need a cure25519 secret.
  */
-unsigned char *pcp_derivekey(char *passphrase, unsigned char *nonce) {
-  unsigned char *key = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_KEYBYTES);
+byte *pcp_derivekey(char *passphrase, byte *nonce) {
+  byte *key = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_KEYBYTES);
   size_t plen = strnlen(passphrase, 255);
 
   /*  create the scrypt hash */
-  unsigned char *scrypted = pcp_scrypt(passphrase, plen, nonce, crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
+  byte *scrypted = pcp_scrypt(passphrase, plen, nonce, crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
 
   /*  make a hash from the scrypt() result */
-  crypto_hash_sha256(key, (unsigned char*)scrypted, 64);
+  crypto_hash_sha256(key, (byte*)scrypted, 64);
 
   /*  turn the 32byte hash into a secret key */
   key[0]  &= 248;
@@ -136,21 +136,21 @@ pcp_key_t * pcpkey_new () {
   return key;
 }
 
-unsigned char * pcp_gennonce() {
-  unsigned char *nonce = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
+byte * pcp_gennonce() {
+  byte *nonce = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
   arc4random_buf(nonce, crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
   return nonce;
 }
 
 pcp_key_t *pcpkey_encrypt(pcp_key_t *key, char *passphrase) {
   if(key->nonce[0] == 0) {
-    unsigned char *nonce = pcp_gennonce();
+    byte *nonce = pcp_gennonce();
     memcpy (key->nonce, nonce, crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
   }
 
-  unsigned char *encryptkey = pcp_derivekey(passphrase, key->nonce);  
+  byte *encryptkey = pcp_derivekey(passphrase, key->nonce);  
 
-  unsigned char *encrypted;
+  byte *encrypted;
   size_t es;
 
   Buffer *both = buffer_new(128, "keypack");
@@ -184,9 +184,9 @@ pcp_key_t *pcpkey_encrypt(pcp_key_t *key, char *passphrase) {
 }
 
 pcp_key_t *pcpkey_decrypt(pcp_key_t *key, char *passphrase) {
-  unsigned char *encryptkey = pcp_derivekey(passphrase, key->nonce);  
+  byte *encryptkey = pcp_derivekey(passphrase, key->nonce);  
 
-  unsigned char *decrypted;
+  byte *decrypted;
   size_t es;
   
   es = pcp_sodium_verify_mac(&decrypted, key->encrypted, 176, key->nonce, encryptkey);
@@ -235,14 +235,14 @@ char *pcpkey_get_art(pcp_key_t *k) {
   return r;
 }
 
-unsigned char *pcppubkey_getchecksum(pcp_pubkey_t *k) {
-  unsigned char *hash = ucmalloc(32);
+byte *pcppubkey_getchecksum(pcp_pubkey_t *k) {
+  byte *hash = ucmalloc(32);
   crypto_hash_sha256(hash, k->pub, 32);
   return hash;
 }
 
-unsigned char *pcpkey_getchecksum(pcp_key_t *k) {
-  unsigned char *hash = ucmalloc(32);
+byte *pcpkey_getchecksum(pcp_key_t *k) {
+  byte *hash = ucmalloc(32);
   crypto_hash_sha256(hash, k->pub, 32);
   return hash;
 }
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ pcp_key_t * key2be(pcp_key_t *k) {
   return k;
 #else
   uint32_t version = k->version;
-  unsigned char* p = (unsigned char*)&version;
+  byte* p = (byte*)&version;
   if(p[0] != 0) {
     k->version = htobe32(k->version);
     k->serial  = htobe32(k->serial);
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ pcp_pubkey_t * pubkey2be(pcp_pubkey_t *k) {
   return k;
 #else
   uint32_t version = k->version;
-  unsigned char* p = (unsigned char*)&version;
+  byte* p = (byte*)&version;
   if(p[0] != 0) {
     k->version = htobe32(k->version);
     k->serial  = htobe32(k->serial);
diff --git a/libpcp/keysig.c b/libpcp/keysig.c
index 489e349..6f4afea 100644
--- a/libpcp/keysig.c
+++ b/libpcp/keysig.c
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ pcp_keysig_t * keysig2be(pcp_keysig_t *s) {
   return s;
 #else
   uint32_t size = s->size;
-  unsigned char* p = (unsigned char*)&size;
+  byte* p = (byte*)&size;
   if(p[0] != 0) {
     s->size = htobe32(s->size);
   }
diff --git a/libpcp/mac.c b/libpcp/mac.c
index d059458..d66228c 100644
--- a/libpcp/mac.c
+++ b/libpcp/mac.c
@@ -24,13 +24,13 @@
 
 
 
-size_t pcp_sodium_mac(unsigned char **cipher,
-		unsigned char *cleartext,
+size_t pcp_sodium_mac(byte **cipher,
+		byte *cleartext,
 		size_t clearsize,
-		unsigned char *nonce,
-		unsigned char *key) {
-  unsigned char *pad_clear;
-  unsigned char *pad_cipher;
+		byte *nonce,
+		byte *key) {
+  byte *pad_clear;
+  byte *pad_cipher;
 
   pad_cipher = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_ZEROBYTES + clearsize);
 
@@ -48,17 +48,17 @@ size_t pcp_sodium_mac(unsigned char **cipher,
   return (clearsize + crypto_secretbox_ZEROBYTES) - crypto_secretbox_BOXZEROBYTES;
 }
 
-int pcp_sodium_verify_mac(unsigned char **cleartext, unsigned char* message,
-			  size_t messagesize, unsigned char *nonce,
-			  unsigned char *key) {
+int pcp_sodium_verify_mac(byte **cleartext, byte* message,
+			  size_t messagesize, byte *nonce,
+			  byte *key) {
   /*  verify the mac */
-  unsigned char *pad_cipher;
-  unsigned char *pad_clear;
+  byte *pad_cipher;
+  byte *pad_clear;
   int success = -1;
 
   pcp_pad_prepend(&pad_cipher, message, crypto_secretbox_BOXZEROBYTES, messagesize);
 
-  pad_clear = (unsigned char *)ucmalloc((crypto_secretbox_ZEROBYTES + messagesize));
+  pad_clear = (byte *)ucmalloc((crypto_secretbox_ZEROBYTES + messagesize));
 
   if (crypto_secretbox_open(pad_clear,
 			    pad_cipher,
diff --git a/libpcp/mem.c b/libpcp/mem.c
index badd5d0..5734954 100644
--- a/libpcp/mem.c
+++ b/libpcp/mem.c
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ void *ucmalloc(size_t s) {
   if (s == 0)
     return NULL;
 
-  size_t size = s * sizeof(unsigned char);
+  size_t size = s * sizeof(byte);
   void *value = malloc (size);
 
   if (value == NULL) {
@@ -53,11 +53,11 @@ void *urmalloc(size_t s) {
 
 
 void *ucrealloc(void *d, size_t oldlen, size_t newlen) {
-  newlen = newlen * sizeof(unsigned char);
+  newlen = newlen * sizeof(byte);
 
   /* we're using a 1 byte sized pointer, so that we can
      memset(zero) it after resizing */
-  unsigned char *value = realloc (d, newlen);
+  byte *value = realloc (d, newlen);
 
   if (value == NULL) {
     err(errno, "Cannot reallocate %ld bytes of memory", newlen);
diff --git a/libpcp/mgmt.c b/libpcp/mgmt.c
index c7f907e..8718ee6 100644
--- a/libpcp/mgmt.c
+++ b/libpcp/mgmt.c
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ int _check_hash_keysig(Buffer *blob, pcp_pubkey_t *p, pcp_keysig_t *sk) {
   size_t blobstop = blob->offset;
   size_t sigsize = crypto_sign_BYTES + crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX;
 
-  unsigned char *signature = ucmalloc(sigsize);
+  byte *signature = ucmalloc(sigsize);
   if(buffer_get_chunk(blob, signature, sigsize) == 0)
     goto chker1;
 
@@ -128,13 +128,13 @@ int _check_hash_keysig(Buffer *blob, pcp_pubkey_t *p, pcp_keysig_t *sk) {
   buffer_get_chunk(blob, sk->blob, sk->size);
 
   /* verify the signature */
-  unsigned char *verifyhash = pcp_ed_verify_key(signature, sigsize, p);
+  byte *verifyhash = pcp_ed_verify_key(signature, sigsize, p);
   if(verifyhash == NULL)
     goto chker1;
 
   /* re-calculate the hash */
   crypto_generichash_state *st = ucmalloc(sizeof(crypto_generichash_state));
-  unsigned char *hash = ucmalloc(crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
+  byte *hash = ucmalloc(crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
   crypto_generichash_init(st, NULL, 0, 0);
   crypto_generichash_update(st, sk->blob, sk->size);
   crypto_generichash_final(st, hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
@@ -170,9 +170,9 @@ int _check_hash_keysig(Buffer *blob, pcp_pubkey_t *p, pcp_keysig_t *sk) {
   
 }
 
-pcp_ks_bundle_t *pcp_import_pub(unsigned char *raw, size_t rawsize) {
+pcp_ks_bundle_t *pcp_import_pub(byte *raw, size_t rawsize) {
   size_t clen;
-  unsigned char *bin = NULL;
+  byte *bin = NULL;
   char *z85 = NULL;
 
   if(rawsize == 0) {
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ pcp_ks_bundle_t *pcp_import_pub_pbp(Buffer *blob) {
   char *date  = ucmalloc(19);
   char *ignore = ucmalloc(46);
   char *parts = NULL;
-  unsigned char *sig = ucmalloc(crypto_sign_BYTES);;
+  byte *sig = ucmalloc(crypto_sign_BYTES);;
   int pnum;
   pbp_pubkey_t *b = ucmalloc(sizeof(pbp_pubkey_t));
   pcp_pubkey_t *tmp = ucmalloc(sizeof(pcp_pubkey_t));
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ pcp_ks_bundle_t *pcp_import_pub_pbp(Buffer *blob) {
   /* edpub used for signing, might differ */
   memcpy(tmp->edpub, b->sigpub, crypto_sign_PUBLICKEYBYTES);
 
-  unsigned char *verify = pcp_ed_verify(buffer_get(blob), buffer_size(blob), tmp);
+  byte *verify = pcp_ed_verify(buffer_get(blob), buffer_size(blob), tmp);
   free(tmp);
 
   pcp_ks_bundle_t *bundle = ucmalloc(sizeof(pcp_ks_bundle_t));
@@ -451,8 +451,8 @@ Buffer *pcp_export_perl_pub(pcp_key_t *sk) {
   return b;
 }
 
-void pcp_export_c_pub_var(Buffer *b, char *var, unsigned char *d, size_t len) {
-  buffer_add_str(b, "unsigned char %s[%ld] = {\n  ", var, len);
+void pcp_export_c_pub_var(Buffer *b, char *var, byte *d, size_t len) {
+  buffer_add_str(b, "byte %s[%ld] = {\n  ", var, len);
   size_t i;
   for(i=0; i<len-1; ++i) {
     buffer_add_str(b, "0x%02x, ", (unsigned int)d[i]);
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ Buffer *pcp_export_c_pub(pcp_key_t *sk) {
 
 Buffer *pcp_export_pbp_pub(pcp_key_t *sk) {
   struct tm *v, *c;
-  unsigned char *signature = NULL;
+  byte *signature = NULL;
   char *date = NULL;
 
   Buffer *out = buffer_new(320, "pbp01");
@@ -627,14 +627,14 @@ Buffer *pcp_export_rfc_pub (pcp_key_t *sk) {
 
   /* create a hash from the PK material and the raw signature packet */
   crypto_generichash_state *st = ucmalloc(sizeof(crypto_generichash_state));
-  unsigned char *hash = ucmalloc(crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
+  byte *hash = ucmalloc(crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
 
   crypto_generichash_init(st, NULL, 0, 0);
   crypto_generichash_update(st, buffer_get(raw), buffer_size(raw));
   crypto_generichash_final(st, hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX);
 
   /* sign the hash */
-  unsigned char *sig = pcp_ed_sign_key(hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX, sk);
+  byte *sig = pcp_ed_sign_key(hash, crypto_generichash_BYTES_MAX, sk);
 
   /* append the signature packet to the output */
   buffer_add(out, buffer_get(raw), buffer_size(raw));
@@ -653,9 +653,9 @@ Buffer *pcp_export_rfc_pub (pcp_key_t *sk) {
 }
 
 Buffer *pcp_export_secret(pcp_key_t *sk, char *passphrase) {
-  unsigned char *nonce = NULL;
-  unsigned char *symkey = NULL;
-  unsigned char *cipher = NULL;
+  byte *nonce = NULL;
+  byte *symkey = NULL;
+  byte *cipher = NULL;
   size_t es;
 
   Buffer *raw = buffer_new(512, "secretbuf");
@@ -704,9 +704,9 @@ Buffer *pcp_export_secret(pcp_key_t *sk, char *passphrase) {
   return out;
 }
 
-pcp_key_t *pcp_import_secret(unsigned char *raw, size_t rawsize, char *passphrase) {
+pcp_key_t *pcp_import_secret(byte *raw, size_t rawsize, char *passphrase) {
   size_t clen;
-  unsigned char *bin = NULL;
+  byte *bin = NULL;
   char *z85 = NULL;
 
   if(rawsize == 0) {
@@ -738,9 +738,9 @@ pcp_key_t *pcp_import_secret(unsigned char *raw, size_t rawsize, char *passphras
 
 pcp_key_t *pcp_import_secret_native(Buffer *cipher, char *passphrase) {
   pcp_key_t *sk = ucmalloc(sizeof(pcp_key_t));
-  unsigned char *nonce = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
-  unsigned char *symkey = NULL;
-  unsigned char *clear = NULL;
+  byte *nonce = ucmalloc(crypto_secretbox_NONCEBYTES);
+  byte *symkey = NULL;
+  byte *clear = NULL;
   size_t cipherlen = 0;
   size_t minlen = (64 * 2) + (32 * 4) + 8 + 4 + 4;
   uint16_t notationlen = 0;
diff --git a/libpcp/pad.c b/libpcp/pad.c
index 3575013..ad785a1 100644
--- a/libpcp/pad.c
+++ b/libpcp/pad.c
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@
 
 #include "pad.h"
 
-void pcp_pad_prepend(unsigned char **padded, unsigned char *unpadded,
+void pcp_pad_prepend(byte **padded, byte *unpadded,
 		 size_t padlen, size_t unpadlen) {
   *padded = ucmalloc(unpadlen + padlen);
-  unsigned char *tmp = ucmalloc(unpadlen + padlen);
+  byte *tmp = ucmalloc(unpadlen + padlen);
 
   /*  pcp_append orig */
   int i;
@@ -37,10 +37,10 @@ void pcp_pad_prepend(unsigned char **padded, unsigned char *unpadded,
   free(tmp);
 }
 
-void pcp_pad_remove(unsigned char **unpadded, unsigned char *padded,
+void pcp_pad_remove(byte **unpadded, byte *padded,
 		size_t padlen, size_t unpadlen) {
-  *unpadded = ucmalloc(unpadlen * sizeof(unsigned char));
-  unsigned char *tmp = ucmalloc(unpadlen);
+  *unpadded = ucmalloc(unpadlen * sizeof(byte));
+  byte *tmp = ucmalloc(unpadlen);
 
   int i;
   for(i=0; i<unpadlen; ++i) {
@@ -57,12 +57,12 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
     size_t unpadlen;
     int padlen = strtol(argv[2], NULL, 0);
     unpadlen = strlen(argv[1]);
-    unsigned char *dst;
+    byte *dst;
     
     pcp_pad_prepend(&dst, argv[1], padlen, unpadlen);
     /* printf("   prev: %s\n  after: %s\n", argv[1], dst); */
     
-    unsigned char *reverse;
+    byte *reverse;
     pcp_pad_remove(&reverse, dst, padlen, unpadlen);
     /* printf("reverse: %s\n", reverse); */
     
diff --git a/libpcp/pcpstream.c b/libpcp/pcpstream.c
index 12b5567..ca4b476 100644
--- a/libpcp/pcpstream.c
+++ b/libpcp/pcpstream.c
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ size_t ps_read_decode(Pcpstream *stream, Buffer *cache, void *buf, size_t bufsiz
 
   /* finally, decode it and put into cache */
   size_t binlen, outlen;
-  unsigned char *bin = pcp_z85_decode(buffer_get_str(z), &binlen);
+  byte *bin = pcp_z85_decode(buffer_get_str(z), &binlen);
   if(bin == NULL) {
     /* it's not z85 encoded, so threat it as binary */
     stream->armor = 1;
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ size_t ps_read_decodeOLD(Pcpstream *stream, Buffer *cache, void *buf, size_t buf
 
   /* finally, decode it and put into cache */
   size_t binlen, outlen;
-  unsigned char *bin = pcp_z85_decode(buffer_get_str(z), &binlen);
+  byte *bin = pcp_z85_decode(buffer_get_str(z), &binlen);
   if(bin == NULL) {
     /* it's not z85 encoded, so threat it as binary */
     stream->armor = 1;
diff --git a/libpcp/scrypt.c b/libpcp/scrypt.c
index 046023d..1cad7a4 100644
--- a/libpcp/scrypt.c
+++ b/libpcp/scrypt.c
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 #include "scrypt.h"
 
-unsigned char* pcp_scrypt(char *passwd, size_t passwdlen, unsigned char *nonce, size_t noncelen) {
+byte* pcp_scrypt(char *passwd, size_t passwdlen, byte *nonce, size_t noncelen) {
   uint8_t *dk = ucmalloc(64); /*  resulting hash */
 
   /*  constants */
diff --git a/libpcp/util.c b/libpcp/util.c
index 3715143..45a18ce 100644
--- a/libpcp/util.c
+++ b/libpcp/util.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ char *_lc(char *in) {
 }
 
 /* find the offset of the beginning of a certain string within binary data */
-size_t _findoffset(unsigned char *bin, size_t binlen, char *sigstart, size_t hlen) {
+size_t _findoffset(byte *bin, size_t binlen, char *sigstart, size_t hlen) {
   size_t i;
   size_t offset = 0;
   int m = 0;
@@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ size_t _findoffset(unsigned char *bin, size_t binlen, char *sigstart, size_t hle
 }
 
 /* xor 2 likesized buffers */
-void _xorbuf(unsigned char *iv, unsigned char *buf, size_t xlen) {
+void _xorbuf(byte *iv, byte *buf, size_t xlen) {
   size_t i;
   for (i = 0; i < xlen; ++i)
    buf[i] = iv[i] ^ buf[i];
 }
 
 /* print some binary data to stderr */
-void _dump(char *n, unsigned char *d, size_t s) {
+void _dump(char *n, byte *d, size_t s) {
   int l = strlen(n) + 9;
   fprintf(stderr, "%s (%04ld): ", n, s);
   size_t i;
diff --git a/libpcp/vault.c b/libpcp/vault.c
index cead11b..463e804 100644
--- a/libpcp/vault.c
+++ b/libpcp/vault.c
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ int pcpvault_additem(vault_t *vault, void *item, size_t itemsize, uint8_t type)
   header->type = type;
   header->size = itemsize;
 
-  crypto_hash_sha256((unsigned char*)header->checksum, item, itemsize);
+  crypto_hash_sha256((byte*)header->checksum, item, itemsize);
   ih2be(header);
 
   fwrite(header, sizeof(vault_item_header_t), 1, vault->fd);
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ int pcpvault_writeall(vault_t *vault) {
 }
 
 void pcpvault_update_checksum(vault_t *vault) {
-  unsigned char *checksum = pcpvault_create_checksum(vault);
+  byte *checksum = pcpvault_create_checksum(vault);
 
   vault_header_t *header = ucmalloc(sizeof(vault_header_t));
   header->fileid = PCP_VAULT_ID;
@@ -270,14 +270,14 @@ void pcpvault_update_checksum(vault_t *vault) {
   fseek(vault->fd, 0, SEEK_END);
 }
 
-unsigned char *pcpvault_create_checksum(vault_t *vault) {
+byte *pcpvault_create_checksum(vault_t *vault) {
   int numskeys = pcphash_count();
   int numpkeys = pcphash_countpub();
 
   size_t datasize = ((PCP_RAW_KEYSIZE) * numskeys) +
                     ((PCP_RAW_PUBKEYSIZE) * numpkeys);
-  unsigned char *data = ucmalloc(datasize);
-  unsigned char *checksum = ucmalloc(32);
+  byte *data = ucmalloc(datasize);
+  byte *checksum = ucmalloc(32);
   size_t datapos = 0;
 
   pcp_key_t *k = NULL;
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ int pcpvault_copy(vault_t *tmp, vault_t *vault) {
   fseek(tmp->fd, 0, SEEK_END);
   int tmpsize = ftell(tmp->fd);
   fseek(tmp->fd, 0, SEEK_SET);
-  unsigned char *in = ucmalloc(tmpsize);
+  byte *in = ucmalloc(tmpsize);
   fread(in, tmpsize, 1, tmp->fd);
 
   /*  and put it into the new file */
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ int pcpvault_copy(vault_t *tmp, vault_t *vault) {
 
 void pcpvault_unlink(vault_t *tmp) {
   int i, tmpsize;
-  unsigned char *r;
+  byte *r;
   fseek(tmp->fd, 0, SEEK_END);
   tmpsize = ftell(tmp->fd);
   r = ucmalloc(tmpsize);
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ int pcpvault_fetchall(vault_t *vault) {
     goto err;
   }
 
-  unsigned char *checksum = NULL;
+  byte *checksum = NULL;
   checksum = pcpvault_create_checksum(vault);
   /*
   printf(" calc checksum: "); pcpprint_bin(stdout, checksum, 32); printf("\n"); 
diff --git a/src/encryption.c b/src/encryption.c
index a69ca31..59f2035 100644
--- a/src/encryption.c
+++ b/src/encryption.c
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ int pcpdecrypt(char *id, int useid, char *infile, char *outfile, char *passwd, i
   FILE *in = NULL;
   FILE *out = NULL;
   pcp_key_t *secret = NULL;
-  unsigned char *symkey = NULL;
+  byte *symkey = NULL;
   size_t dlen;
   uint8_t head;
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ int pcpdecrypt(char *id, int useid, char *infile, char *outfile, char *passwd, i
   if(!feof(in) && !ferror(in)) {
     if(head == PCP_SYM_CIPHER) {
       /*  symetric mode */
-      unsigned char *salt = ucmalloc(90);
+      byte *salt = ucmalloc(90);
       char stsalt[] = PBP_COMPAT_SALT;
       memcpy(salt, stsalt, 90);
 
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ int pcpencrypt(char *id, char *infile, char *outfile, char *passwd, plist_t *rec
   pcp_pubkey_t *tmp = NULL;
   pcp_pubkey_t *pub = NULL;
   pcp_key_t *secret = NULL;
-  unsigned char *symkey = NULL;
+  byte *symkey = NULL;
   int self = 0;
 
   if(id == NULL && recipient == NULL) {
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ int pcpencrypt(char *id, char *infile, char *outfile, char *passwd, plist_t *rec
       passphrase = ucmalloc(strlen(passwd)+1);
       strncpy(passphrase, passwd, strlen(passwd)+1);
     }
-    unsigned char *salt = ucmalloc(90); /*  FIXME: use random salt, concat it with result afterwards */
+    byte *salt = ucmalloc(90); /*  FIXME: use random salt, concat it with result afterwards */
     char stsalt[] = PBP_COMPAT_SALT;
     memcpy(salt, stsalt, 90);
     symkey = pcp_scrypt(passphrase, crypto_secretbox_KEYBYTES, salt, 90);
diff --git a/src/keymgmt.c b/src/keymgmt.c
index a79a355..520c972 100644
--- a/src/keymgmt.c
+++ b/src/keymgmt.c
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ void pcp_exportpublic(char *keyid, char *passwd, char *outfile, int format, int
 
 
 int pcp_importsecret (vault_t *vault, FILE *in, char *passwd) {
-  unsigned char *buf = ucmalloc(2048);
+  byte *buf = ucmalloc(2048);
   size_t buflen = fread(buf, 1, 2048, in);
   pcp_key_t *sk = NULL;
 
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ int pcp_importsecret (vault_t *vault, FILE *in, char *passwd) {
 }
 
 int pcp_importpublic (vault_t *vault, FILE *in) {
-  unsigned char *buf = ucmalloc(2048);
+  byte *buf = ucmalloc(2048);
   size_t buflen = fread(buf, 1, 2048, in);
   pcp_keysig_t *sk = NULL;
   pcp_pubkey_t *pub = NULL;
diff --git a/src/keymgmt.h b/src/keymgmt.h
index 06e95d9..4ee6e98 100644
--- a/src/keymgmt.h
+++ b/src/keymgmt.h
@@ -62,6 +62,6 @@ int pcp_importsecret (vault_t *vault, FILE *in, char *passwd);
 
 void pcpdelete_key(char *keyid);
 char *pcp_find_id_byrec(char *recipient);
-
+void pcpedit_key(char *keyid);
 
 #endif /*  _HAVE_KEYMGMT_H */
diff --git a/src/keyprint.c b/src/keyprint.c
index 528c81d..39e09da 100644
--- a/src/keyprint.c
+++ b/src/keyprint.c
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ int pcptext_infile(char *infile) {
   }
 
   size_t clen;
-  unsigned char *bin = pcp_z85_decode((char *)z85, &clen);
+  byte *bin = pcp_z85_decode((char *)z85, &clen);
   free(z85);
 
   if(bin == NULL) {
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ void pcppubkey_print(pcp_pubkey_t *key, FILE* out) {
 	  c->tm_year+1900, c->tm_mon+1, c->tm_mday,
 	  c->tm_hour, c->tm_min, c->tm_sec);
 
-  unsigned char *hash = pcppubkey_getchecksum(key);
+  byte *hash = pcppubkey_getchecksum(key);
   fprintf(out, " Checksum: ");
 
   int i;
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ void pcpexport_yaml(char *outfile) {
   }
 }
 
-void pcpprint_bin(FILE *out, unsigned char *data, size_t len) {
+void pcpprint_bin(FILE *out, byte *data, size_t len) {
   int i;
   for ( i = 0;i < len;++i)
     fprintf(out, "%02x", (unsigned int) data[i]);
diff --git a/src/keyprint.h b/src/keyprint.h
index b0d2672..a594265 100644
--- a/src/keyprint.h
+++ b/src/keyprint.h
@@ -45,6 +45,6 @@ void pcptext_vault(vault_t *vault);
 int pcptext_infile(char *infile);
 
 void pcpexport_yaml(char *outfile);
-void pcpprint_bin(FILE *out, unsigned char *data, size_t len);
+void pcpprint_bin(FILE *out, byte *data, size_t len);
 
 #endif /*  _HAVE_PCP_KEYPRINT_H */
diff --git a/src/z85util.c b/src/z85util.c
index 96b06d5..f786def 100644
--- a/src/z85util.c
+++ b/src/z85util.c
@@ -44,16 +44,16 @@ int pcpz85_encode(char *infile, char *outfile) {
     }
   }
 
-  unsigned char *input = NULL;
+  byte *input = NULL;
   size_t inputBufSize = 0;
-  unsigned char byte[1];
+  byte onebyte[1];
   
   while(!feof(in)) {
-    if(!fread(&byte, 1, 1, in))
+    if(!fread(&onebyte, 1, 1, in))
       break;
-    unsigned char *tmp = realloc(input, inputBufSize + 1);
+    byte *tmp = realloc(input, inputBufSize + 1);
     input = tmp;
-    memmove(&input[inputBufSize], byte, 1);
+    memmove(&input[inputBufSize], onebyte, 1);
     inputBufSize ++;
   }
   fclose(in);
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ int pcpz85_decode(char *infile, char *outfile) {
     goto errdz1;
 
   size_t clen;
-  unsigned char *decoded = pcp_z85_decode(encoded, &clen);
+  byte *decoded = pcp_z85_decode(encoded, &clen);