diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3edd093..8da4cdb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,14 +29,26 @@ python web.py
 
 ## Using an existing Reticulum Identity
 
-By default, a new identity is generated every time you run the script.
+By default, a random identity is generated every time you run the script.
 
-This is handy for quickly testing out the web ui, however you may want to use an existing identity when chatting to others.
+This is handy for quickly testing out the web ui, however you may want to use an existing identity when chatting with others.
 
-To do this, you can provide a base64 encoded private key, like so;
+To generate a new identity, you can use the [rnid](https://reticulum.network/manual/using.html#the-rnid-utility) utility provided by Reticulum.
 
 ```
-python web.py --identity-private-key "GCN6mMhVemdNIK/fw97C1zvU17qjQPFTXRBotVckeGmoOwQIF8VOjXwNNem3CUOJZCQQpJuc/4U94VSsC39Phw=="
+rnid --generate ./new_identity
+```
+
+You can use then use following to run the web ui with your new identity file;
+
+```
+python web.py --identity-file ./new_identity
+```
+
+Alternatively, you can provide a base64 encoded private key, like so;
+
+```
+python web.py --identity-base64 "GCN6mMhVemdNIK/fw97C1zvU17qjQPFTXRBotVckeGmoOwQIF8VOjXwNNem3CUOJZCQQpJuc/4U94VSsC39Phw=="
 ```
 
 > NOTE: this is a randomly generated identity for example purposes. Do not use it, it has been leaked!
diff --git a/web.py b/web.py
index 1d5c18b..692a20e 100644
--- a/web.py
+++ b/web.py
@@ -29,19 +29,25 @@ def main():
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="ReticulumWebChat")
     parser.add_argument("--host", nargs='?', default="0.0.0.0", type=str, help="The address the web server should listen on.")
     parser.add_argument("--port", nargs='?', default="8000", type=int, help="The port the web server should listen on.")
-    parser.add_argument("--identity-private-key", type=str, help="A base64 encoded private key for a Reticulum Identity to use as your LXMF address.")
+    parser.add_argument("--identity-file", type=str, help="Path to a Reticulum Identity file to use as your LXMF address.")
+    parser.add_argument("--identity-base64", type=str, help="A base64 encoded Reticulum Identity to use as your LXMF address.")
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
     # use provided identity, or fallback to a random one
     global identity
-    if args.identity_private_key is not None:
+    if args.identity_file is not None:
         identity = RNS.Identity(create_keys=False)
-        identity.load_private_key(base64.b64decode(args.identity_private_key))
-        print("Reticulum Identity has been loaded.")
+        identity.load(args.identity_file)
+        print("Reticulum Identity has been loaded from file.")
+        print(identity)
+    elif args.identity_base64 is not None:
+        identity = RNS.Identity(create_keys=False)
+        identity.load_private_key(base64.b64decode(args.identity_base64))
+        print("Reticulum Identity has been loaded from base64.")
         print(identity)
     else:
         identity = RNS.Identity(create_keys=True)
-        print("Reticulum Identity has been generated.")
+        print("Reticulum Identity has been randomly generated.")
         print(identity)
 
     # run sanic app