diff --git a/cmd/derper/derper.go b/cmd/derper/derper.go
index f328932a2..43c0e84da 100644
--- a/cmd/derper/derper.go
+++ b/cmd/derper/derper.go
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/tailscale/wireguard-go/wgcfg"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/acme/autocert"
 	"tailscale.com/atomicfile"
 	"tailscale.com/derp"
@@ -35,6 +34,7 @@ import (
 	"tailscale.com/net/stun"
 	"tailscale.com/tsweb"
 	"tailscale.com/types/key"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 	"tailscale.com/version"
 )
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ var (
 )
 
 type config struct {
-	PrivateKey wgcfg.PrivateKey
+	PrivateKey wgkey.Private
 }
 
 func loadConfig() config {
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ func loadConfig() config {
 	}
 }
 
-func mustNewKey() wgcfg.PrivateKey {
-	key, err := wgcfg.NewPrivateKey()
+func mustNewKey() wgkey.Private {
+	key, err := wgkey.NewPrivate()
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/tailscale/depaware.txt b/cmd/tailscale/depaware.txt
index 4313d4892..63e51cbc4 100644
--- a/cmd/tailscale/depaware.txt
+++ b/cmd/tailscale/depaware.txt
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ tailscale.com/cmd/tailscale dependencies: (generated by github.com/tailscale/dep
         tailscale.com/types/opt                                      from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
         tailscale.com/types/strbuilder                               from tailscale.com/net/packet
         tailscale.com/types/structs                                  from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
+        tailscale.com/types/wgkey                                    from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
   LW    tailscale.com/util/endian                                    from tailscale.com/net/netns+
         tailscale.com/util/lineread                                  from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
         tailscale.com/util/systemd                                   from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
diff --git a/cmd/tailscaled/depaware.txt b/cmd/tailscaled/depaware.txt
index a09909bf8..8c963e0d7 100644
--- a/cmd/tailscaled/depaware.txt
+++ b/cmd/tailscaled/depaware.txt
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ tailscale.com/cmd/tailscaled dependencies: (generated by github.com/tailscale/de
         tailscale.com/types/opt                                      from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
         tailscale.com/types/strbuilder                               from tailscale.com/net/packet
         tailscale.com/types/structs                                  from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
+        tailscale.com/types/wgkey                                    from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
   LW    tailscale.com/util/endian                                    from tailscale.com/net/netns+
         tailscale.com/util/lineread                                  from tailscale.com/control/controlclient+
         tailscale.com/util/pidowner                                  from tailscale.com/ipn/ipnserver
diff --git a/control/controlclient/auto.go b/control/controlclient/auto.go
index 75a9835eb..7acb5be63 100644
--- a/control/controlclient/auto.go
+++ b/control/controlclient/auto.go
@@ -17,13 +17,13 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/tailscale/wireguard-go/wgcfg"
 	"golang.org/x/oauth2"
 	"tailscale.com/logtail/backoff"
 	"tailscale.com/tailcfg"
 	"tailscale.com/types/empty"
 	"tailscale.com/types/logger"
 	"tailscale.com/types/structs"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 )
 
 // State is the high-level state of the client. It is used only in
@@ -665,7 +665,7 @@ func (c *Client) Shutdown() {
 
 // NodePublicKey returns the node public key currently in use. This is
 // used exclusively in tests.
-func (c *Client) TestOnlyNodePublicKey() wgcfg.Key {
+func (c *Client) TestOnlyNodePublicKey() wgkey.Key {
 	priv := c.direct.GetPersist()
 	return priv.PrivateNodeKey.Public()
 }
diff --git a/control/controlclient/direct.go b/control/controlclient/direct.go
index 911d2f1e5..4ab7ea03f 100644
--- a/control/controlclient/direct.go
+++ b/control/controlclient/direct.go
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ import (
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/tailscale/wireguard-go/wgcfg"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/nacl/box"
 	"golang.org/x/oauth2"
 	"inet.af/netaddr"
@@ -44,6 +43,7 @@ import (
 	"tailscale.com/types/logger"
 	"tailscale.com/types/opt"
 	"tailscale.com/types/structs"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 	"tailscale.com/util/systemd"
 	"tailscale.com/version"
 	"tailscale.com/wgengine/filter"
@@ -61,10 +61,10 @@ type Persist struct {
 	// needed. This field should be considered read-only from GUI
 	// frontends. The real value should not be written back in
 	// this field, lest the frontend persist it to disk.
-	LegacyFrontendPrivateMachineKey wgcfg.PrivateKey `json:"PrivateMachineKey"`
+	LegacyFrontendPrivateMachineKey wgkey.Private `json:"PrivateMachineKey"`
 
-	PrivateNodeKey    wgcfg.PrivateKey
-	OldPrivateNodeKey wgcfg.PrivateKey // needed to request key rotation
+	PrivateNodeKey    wgkey.Private
+	OldPrivateNodeKey wgkey.Private // needed to request key rotation
 	Provider          string
 	LoginName         string
 }
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func (p *Persist) Equals(p2 *Persist) bool {
 }
 
 func (p *Persist) Pretty() string {
-	var mk, ok, nk wgcfg.Key
+	var mk, ok, nk wgkey.Key
 	if !p.LegacyFrontendPrivateMachineKey.IsZero() {
 		mk = p.LegacyFrontendPrivateMachineKey.Public()
 	}
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ func (p *Persist) Pretty() string {
 	if !p.PrivateNodeKey.IsZero() {
 		nk = p.PrivateNodeKey.Public()
 	}
-	ss := func(k wgcfg.Key) string {
+	ss := func(k wgkey.Key) string {
 		if k.IsZero() {
 			return ""
 		}
@@ -115,14 +115,14 @@ type Direct struct {
 	keepAlive       bool
 	logf            logger.Logf
 	discoPubKey     tailcfg.DiscoKey
-	machinePrivKey  wgcfg.PrivateKey
+	machinePrivKey  wgkey.Private
 	debugFlags      []string
 
 	mu           sync.Mutex // mutex guards the following fields
-	serverKey    wgcfg.Key
+	serverKey    wgkey.Key
 	persist      Persist
 	authKey      string
-	tryingNewKey wgcfg.PrivateKey
+	tryingNewKey wgkey.Private
 	expiry       *time.Time
 	// hostinfo is mutated in-place while mu is held.
 	hostinfo      *tailcfg.Hostinfo // always non-nil
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ type Direct struct {
 
 type Options struct {
 	Persist           Persist           // initial persistent data
-	MachinePrivateKey wgcfg.PrivateKey  // the machine key to use
+	MachinePrivateKey wgkey.Private     // the machine key to use
 	ServerURL         string            // URL of the tailcontrol server
 	AuthKey           string            // optional node auth key for auto registration
 	TimeNow           func() time.Time  // time.Now implementation used by Client
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ func (c *Direct) doLogin(ctx context.Context, t *oauth2.Token, flags LoginFlags,
 	}
 
 	c.logf("doLogin(regen=%v, hasUrl=%v)", regen, url != "")
-	if serverKey == (wgcfg.Key{}) {
+	if serverKey.IsZero() {
 		var err error
 		serverKey, err = loadServerKey(ctx, c.httpc, c.serverURL)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -352,12 +352,12 @@ func (c *Direct) doLogin(ctx context.Context, t *oauth2.Token, flags LoginFlags,
 		c.mu.Unlock()
 	}
 
-	var oldNodeKey wgcfg.Key
+	var oldNodeKey wgkey.Key
 	if url != "" {
 	} else if regen || persist.PrivateNodeKey.IsZero() {
 		c.logf("Generating a new nodekey.")
 		persist.OldPrivateNodeKey = persist.PrivateNodeKey
-		key, err := wgcfg.NewPrivateKey()
+		key, err := wgkey.NewPrivate()
 		if err != nil {
 			c.logf("login keygen: %v", err)
 			return regen, url, err
@@ -793,7 +793,7 @@ func (c *Direct) PollNetMap(ctx context.Context, maxPolls int, cb func(*NetworkM
 	return nil
 }
 
-func decode(res *http.Response, v interface{}, serverKey *wgcfg.Key, mkey *wgcfg.PrivateKey) error {
+func decode(res *http.Response, v interface{}, serverKey *wgkey.Key, mkey *wgkey.Private) error {
 	defer res.Body.Close()
 	msg, err := ioutil.ReadAll(io.LimitReader(res.Body, 1<<20))
 	if err != nil {
@@ -848,7 +848,7 @@ func (c *Direct) decodeMsg(msg []byte, v interface{}) error {
 
 }
 
-func decodeMsg(msg []byte, v interface{}, serverKey *wgcfg.Key, mkey *wgcfg.PrivateKey) error {
+func decodeMsg(msg []byte, v interface{}, serverKey *wgkey.Key, mkey *wgkey.Private) error {
 	decrypted, err := decryptMsg(msg, serverKey, mkey)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -862,7 +862,7 @@ func decodeMsg(msg []byte, v interface{}, serverKey *wgcfg.Key, mkey *wgcfg.Priv
 	return nil
 }
 
-func decryptMsg(msg []byte, serverKey *wgcfg.Key, mkey *wgcfg.PrivateKey) ([]byte, error) {
+func decryptMsg(msg []byte, serverKey *wgkey.Key, mkey *wgkey.Private) ([]byte, error) {
 	var nonce [24]byte
 	if len(msg) < len(nonce)+1 {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("response missing nonce, len=%d", len(msg))
@@ -878,7 +878,7 @@ func decryptMsg(msg []byte, serverKey *wgcfg.Key, mkey *wgcfg.PrivateKey) ([]byt
 	return decrypted, nil
 }
 
-func encode(v interface{}, serverKey *wgcfg.Key, mkey *wgcfg.PrivateKey) ([]byte, error) {
+func encode(v interface{}, serverKey *wgkey.Key, mkey *wgkey.Private) ([]byte, error) {
 	b, err := json.Marshal(v)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -897,27 +897,27 @@ func encode(v interface{}, serverKey *wgcfg.Key, mkey *wgcfg.PrivateKey) ([]byte
 	return msg, nil
 }
 
-func loadServerKey(ctx context.Context, httpc *http.Client, serverURL string) (wgcfg.Key, error) {
+func loadServerKey(ctx context.Context, httpc *http.Client, serverURL string) (wgkey.Key, error) {
 	req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", serverURL+"/key", nil)
 	if err != nil {
-		return wgcfg.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("create control key request: %v", err)
+		return wgkey.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("create control key request: %v", err)
 	}
 	req = req.WithContext(ctx)
 	res, err := httpc.Do(req)
 	if err != nil {
-		return wgcfg.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("fetch control key: %v", err)
+		return wgkey.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("fetch control key: %v", err)
 	}
 	defer res.Body.Close()
 	b, err := ioutil.ReadAll(io.LimitReader(res.Body, 1<<16))
 	if err != nil {
-		return wgcfg.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("fetch control key response: %v", err)
+		return wgkey.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("fetch control key response: %v", err)
 	}
 	if res.StatusCode != 200 {
-		return wgcfg.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("fetch control key: %d: %s", res.StatusCode, string(b))
+		return wgkey.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("fetch control key: %d: %s", res.StatusCode, string(b))
 	}
-	key, err := wgcfg.ParseHexKey(string(b))
+	key, err := wgkey.ParseHex(string(b))
 	if err != nil {
-		return wgcfg.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("fetch control key: %v", err)
+		return wgkey.Key{}, fmt.Errorf("fetch control key: %v", err)
 	}
 	return key, nil
 }
diff --git a/control/controlclient/netmap.go b/control/controlclient/netmap.go
index cda3239e4..c9d053449 100644
--- a/control/controlclient/netmap.go
+++ b/control/controlclient/netmap.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 	"inet.af/netaddr"
 	"tailscale.com/tailcfg"
 	"tailscale.com/types/logger"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 	"tailscale.com/wgengine/filter"
 )
 
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ type NetworkMap struct {
 	// Core networking
 
 	NodeKey    tailcfg.NodeKey
-	PrivateKey wgcfg.PrivateKey
+	PrivateKey wgkey.Private
 	Expiry     time.Time
 	// Name is the DNS name assigned to this node.
 	Name          string
@@ -241,7 +242,7 @@ const EndpointDiscoSuffix = ".disco.tailscale:12345"
 func (nm *NetworkMap) WGCfg(logf logger.Logf, flags WGConfigFlags) (*wgcfg.Config, error) {
 	cfg := &wgcfg.Config{
 		Name:       "tailscale",
-		PrivateKey: nm.PrivateKey,
+		PrivateKey: wgcfg.PrivateKey(nm.PrivateKey),
 		Addresses:  nm.Addresses,
 		ListenPort: nm.LocalPort,
 		Peers:      make([]wgcfg.Peer, 0, len(nm.Peers)),
diff --git a/control/controlclient/persist_test.go b/control/controlclient/persist_test.go
index c769b5e48..efee06273 100644
--- a/control/controlclient/persist_test.go
+++ b/control/controlclient/persist_test.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"reflect"
 	"testing"
 
-	"github.com/tailscale/wireguard-go/wgcfg"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 )
 
 func TestPersistEqual(t *testing.T) {
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ func TestPersistEqual(t *testing.T) {
 			have, persistHandles)
 	}
 
-	newPrivate := func() wgcfg.PrivateKey {
-		k, err := wgcfg.NewPrivateKey()
+	newPrivate := func() wgkey.Private {
+		k, err := wgkey.NewPrivate()
 		if err != nil {
 			panic(err)
 		}
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index bff9913b7..4d963c8d0 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@ github.com/kr/pty v1.1.1 h1:VkoXIwSboBpnk99O/KFauAEILuNHv5DVFKZMBN/gUgw=
 github.com/kr/pty v1.1.1/go.mod h1:pFQYn66WHrOpPYNljwOMqo10TkYh1fy3cYio2l3bCsQ=
 github.com/kr/text v0.1.0 h1:45sCR5RtlFHMR4UwH9sdQ5TC8v0qDQCHnXt+kaKSTVE=
 github.com/kr/text v0.1.0/go.mod h1:4Jbv+DJW3UT/LiOwJeYQe1efqtUx/iVham/4vfdArNI=
+github.com/lxn/walk v0.0.0-20191128110447-55ccb3a9f5c1/go.mod h1:E23UucZGqpuUANJooIbHWCufXvOcT6E7Stq81gU+CSQ=
 github.com/lxn/walk v0.0.0-20201110160827-18ea5e372cdb/go.mod h1:E23UucZGqpuUANJooIbHWCufXvOcT6E7Stq81gU+CSQ=
+github.com/lxn/win v0.0.0-20191128105842-2da648fda5b4/go.mod h1:ouWl4wViUNh8tPSIwxTVMuS014WakR1hqvBc2I0bMoA=
 github.com/lxn/win v0.0.0-20201111105847-2a20daff6a55/go.mod h1:KxxjdtRkfNoYDCUP5ryK7XJJNTnpC8atvtmTheChOtk=
 github.com/mattn/go-zglob v0.0.1 h1:xsEx/XUoVlI6yXjqBK062zYhRTZltCNmYPx6v+8DNaY=
 github.com/mattn/go-zglob v0.0.1/go.mod h1:9fxibJccNxU2cnpIKLRRFA7zX7qhkJIQWBb449FYHOo=
@@ -104,6 +106,7 @@ github.com/sergi/go-diff v1.0.0/go.mod h1:0CfEIISq7TuYL3j771MWULgwwjU+GofnZX9QAm
 github.com/stretchr/objx v0.1.0/go.mod h1:HFkY916IF+rwdDfMAkV7OtwuqBVzrE8GR6GFx+wExME=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.4.0 h1:2E4SXV/wtOkTonXsotYi4li6zVWxYlZuYNCXe9XRJyk=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.4.0/go.mod h1:j7eGeouHqKxXV5pUuKE4zz7dFj8WfuZ+81PSLYec5m4=
+github.com/tailscale/depaware v0.0.0-20201003033024-5d95aab075be/go.mod h1:jissDaJNHiyV2tFdr3QyNEfsZrax/i2yQiSO+CljThI=
 github.com/tailscale/depaware v0.0.0-20201214215404-77d1e9757027 h1:lK99QQdH3yBWY6aGilF+IRlQIdmhzLrsEmF6JgN+Ryw=
 github.com/tailscale/depaware v0.0.0-20201214215404-77d1e9757027/go.mod h1:p9lPsd+cx33L3H9nNoecRRxPssFKUwwI50I3pZ0yT+8=
 github.com/tailscale/wireguard-go v0.0.0-20201220011020-db78fad0bebf h1:HuBwLWbDNIh/G72KSImSEx+dnd7FPGFI1e60LMJtLjU=
@@ -124,6 +127,7 @@ go4.org/intern v0.0.0-20201223054237-ef8cbcb8edd7 h1:yeDrXaQ3VRXbTN7lHj70DxW4LdP
 go4.org/intern v0.0.0-20201223054237-ef8cbcb8edd7/go.mod h1:vLqJ+12kCw61iCWsPto0EOHhBS+o4rO5VIucbc9g2Cc=
 go4.org/intern v0.0.0-20201223061701-969c7e87e7cb h1:yuqO0E4bHRsTPUocDpRKXfLE40lwWplVxENQ2WOV7Gc=
 go4.org/intern v0.0.0-20201223061701-969c7e87e7cb/go.mod h1:vLqJ+12kCw61iCWsPto0EOHhBS+o4rO5VIucbc9g2Cc=
+go4.org/mem v0.0.0-20200706164138-185c595c3ecc/go.mod h1:NEYvpHWemiG/E5UWfaN5QAIGZeT1sa0Z2UNk6oeMb/k=
 go4.org/mem v0.0.0-20201119185036-c04c5a6ff174 h1:vSug/WNOi2+4jrKdivxayTN/zd8EA1UrStjpWvvo1jk=
 go4.org/mem v0.0.0-20201119185036-c04c5a6ff174/go.mod h1:reUoABIJ9ikfM5sgtSF3Wushcza7+WeD01VB9Lirh3g=
 go4.org/unsafe/assume-no-moving-gc v0.0.0-20201222175341-b30ae309168e h1:ExUmGi0ZsQmiVo9giDQqXkr7vreeXPMkOGIusfsfbzI=
@@ -131,13 +135,17 @@ go4.org/unsafe/assume-no-moving-gc v0.0.0-20201222175341-b30ae309168e/go.mod h1:
 go4.org/unsafe/assume-no-moving-gc v0.0.0-20201222180813-1025295fd063 h1:1tk03FUNpulq2cuWpXZWj649rwJpk0d20rxWiopKRmc=
 go4.org/unsafe/assume-no-moving-gc v0.0.0-20201222180813-1025295fd063/go.mod h1:FftLjUGFEDu5k8lt0ddY+HcrH/qU/0qk+H8j9/nTl3E=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20190308221718-c2843e01d9a2/go.mod h1:djNgcEr1/C05ACkg1iLfiJU5Ep61QUkGW8qpdssI0+w=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20190510104115-cbcb75029529/go.mod h1:yigFU9vqHzYiE8UmvKecakEJjdnWj3jj499lnFckfCI=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20191002192127-34f69633bfdc/go.mod h1:yigFU9vqHzYiE8UmvKecakEJjdnWj3jj499lnFckfCI=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20191011191535-87dc89f01550/go.mod h1:yigFU9vqHzYiE8UmvKecakEJjdnWj3jj499lnFckfCI=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200429183012-4b2356b1ed79/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200622213623-75b288015ac9/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200709230013-948cd5f35899/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20201016220609-9e8e0b390897/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20201112155050-0c6587e931a9/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20201124201722-c8d3bf9c5392 h1:xYJJ3S178yv++9zXV/hnr29plCAGO9vAFG9dorqaFQc=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20201124201722-c8d3bf9c5392/go.mod h1:jdWPYTVW3xRLrWPugEBEK3UY2ZEsg3UU495nc5E+M+I=
+golang.org/x/mod v0.0.0-20190513183733-4bf6d317e70e/go.mod h1:mXi4GBBbnImb6dmsKGUJ2LatrhH/nqhxcFungHvyanc=
 golang.org/x/mod v0.1.1-0.20191105210325-c90efee705ee/go.mod h1:QqPTAvyqsEbceGzBzNggFXnrqF1CaUcvgkdR5Ot7KZg=
 golang.org/x/mod v0.2.0/go.mod h1:s0Qsj1ACt9ePp/hMypM3fl4fZqREWJwdYDEqhRiZZUA=
 golang.org/x/mod v0.3.0/go.mod h1:s0Qsj1ACt9ePp/hMypM3fl4fZqREWJwdYDEqhRiZZUA=
@@ -153,6 +161,9 @@ golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20190923162816-aa69164e4478/go.mod h1:z5CRVTTTmAJ677TzLL
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20191007182048-72f939374954/go.mod h1:z5CRVTTTmAJ677TzLLGU+0bjPO0LkuOLi4/5GtJWs/s=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200202094626-16171245cfb2/go.mod h1:z5CRVTTTmAJ677TzLLGU+0bjPO0LkuOLi4/5GtJWs/s=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200226121028-0de0cce0169b/go.mod h1:z5CRVTTTmAJ677TzLLGU+0bjPO0LkuOLi4/5GtJWs/s=
+golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200501053045-e0ff5e5a1de5/go.mod h1:qpuaurCH72eLCgpAm/N6yyVIVM9cpaDIP3A8BGJEC5A=
+golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200707034311-ab3426394381/go.mod h1:/O7V0waA8r7cgGh81Ro3o1hOxt32SMVPicZroKQ2sZA=
+golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200822124328-c89045814202/go.mod h1:/O7V0waA8r7cgGh81Ro3o1hOxt32SMVPicZroKQ2sZA=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20201010224723-4f7140c49acb/go.mod h1:sp8m0HH+o8qH0wwXwYZr8TS3Oi6o0r6Gce1SSxlDquU=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20201021035429-f5854403a974/go.mod h1:sp8m0HH+o8qH0wwXwYZr8TS3Oi6o0r6Gce1SSxlDquU=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20201031054903-ff519b6c9102/go.mod h1:sp8m0HH+o8qH0wwXwYZr8TS3Oi6o0r6Gce1SSxlDquU=
@@ -165,6 +176,7 @@ golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20200107190931-bf48bf16ab8d/go.mod h1:gOpvHmFTYa4Iltr
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20181221193216-37e7f081c4d4/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20190423024810-112230192c58/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20190911185100-cd5d95a43a6e/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
+golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20200625203802-6e8e738ad208/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20201020160332-67f06af15bc9 h1:SQFwaSi55rU7vdNs9Yr0Z324VNlrF+0wMqRXT4St8ck=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20201020160332-67f06af15bc9/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190215142949-d0b11bdaac8a/go.mod h1:STP8DvDyc/dI5b8T5hshtkjS+E42TnysNCUPdjciGhY=
@@ -173,10 +185,15 @@ golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190405154228-4b34438f7a67/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7w
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190411185658-b44545bcd369/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190412213103-97732733099d/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190826190057-c7b8b68b1456/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190904154756-749cb33beabd/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20190924154521-2837fb4f24fe/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20191008105621-543471e840be/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20191026070338-33540a1f6037/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200202164722-d101bd2416d5/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200323222414-85ca7c5b95cd/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200501145240-bc7a7d42d5c3/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200728102440-3e129f6d46b1/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200812155832-6a926be9bd1d/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200930185726-fdedc70b468f/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20201009025420-dfb3f7c4e634/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20201018230417-eeed37f84f13/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
@@ -192,6 +209,7 @@ golang.org/x/term v0.0.0-20201126162022-7de9c90e9dd1/go.mod h1:bj7SfCRtBDWHUb9sn
 golang.org/x/term v0.0.0-20201207232118-ee85cb95a76b h1:a0ErnNnPKmhDyIXQvdZr+Lq8dc8xpMeqkF8y5PgQU4Q=
 golang.org/x/term v0.0.0-20201207232118-ee85cb95a76b/go.mod h1:bj7SfCRtBDWHUb9snDiAeCFNEtKQo2Wmx5Cou7ajbmo=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.0/go.mod h1:NqM8EUOU14njkJ3fqMW+pc6Ldnwhi/IjpwHt7yyuwOQ=
+golang.org/x/text v0.3.2/go.mod h1:bEr9sfX3Q8Zfm5fL9x+3itogRgK3+ptLWKqgva+5dAk=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.3/go.mod h1:5Zoc/QRtKVWzQhOtBMvqHzDpF6irO9z98xDceosuGiQ=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.4 h1:0YWbFKbhXG/wIiuHDSKpS0Iy7FSA+u45VtBMfQcFTTc=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.4/go.mod h1:5Zoc/QRtKVWzQhOtBMvqHzDpF6irO9z98xDceosuGiQ=
@@ -199,8 +217,11 @@ golang.org/x/time v0.0.0-20191024005414-555d28b269f0 h1:/5xXl8Y5W96D+TtHSlonuFqG
 golang.org/x/time v0.0.0-20191024005414-555d28b269f0/go.mod h1:tRJNPiyCQ0inRvYxbN9jk5I+vvW/OXSQhTDSoE431IQ=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20180917221912-90fa682c2a6e/go.mod h1:n7NCudcB/nEzxVGmLbDWY5pfWTLqBcC2KZ6jyYvM4mQ=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20191119224855-298f0cb1881e/go.mod h1:b+2E5dAYhXwXZwtnZ6UAqBI28+e2cm9otk0dWdXHAEo=
+golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20191130070609-6e064ea0cf2d/go.mod h1:b+2E5dAYhXwXZwtnZ6UAqBI28+e2cm9otk0dWdXHAEo=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20191216052735-49a3e744a425/go.mod h1:TB2adYChydJhpapKDTa4BR/hXlZSLoq2Wpct/0txZ28=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20200609164405-eb789aa7ce50/go.mod h1:EkVYQZoAsY45+roYkvgYkIh4xh/qjgUK9TdY2XT94GE=
+golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20201001230009-b5b87423c93b/go.mod h1:z6u4i615ZeAfBE4XtMziQW1fSVJXACjjbWkB/mvPzlU=
+golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20201002184944-ecd9fd270d5d/go.mod h1:z6u4i615ZeAfBE4XtMziQW1fSVJXACjjbWkB/mvPzlU=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20201211185031-d93e913c1a58 h1:1Bs6RVeBFtLZ8Yi1Hk07DiOqzvwLD/4hln4iahvFlag=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20201211185031-d93e913c1a58/go.mod h1:emZCQorbCU4vsT4fOWvOPXz4eW1wZW4PmDk9uLelYpA=
 golang.org/x/xerrors v0.0.0-20190717185122-a985d3407aa7/go.mod h1:I/5z698sn9Ka8TeJc9MKroUUfqBBauWjQqLJ2OPfmY0=
@@ -208,7 +229,11 @@ golang.org/x/xerrors v0.0.0-20191011141410-1b5146add898/go.mod h1:I/5z698sn9Ka8T
 golang.org/x/xerrors v0.0.0-20191204190536-9bdfabe68543/go.mod h1:I/5z698sn9Ka8TeJc9MKroUUfqBBauWjQqLJ2OPfmY0=
 golang.org/x/xerrors v0.0.0-20200804184101-5ec99f83aff1 h1:go1bK/D/BFZV2I8cIQd1NKEZ+0owSTG1fDTci4IqFcE=
 golang.org/x/xerrors v0.0.0-20200804184101-5ec99f83aff1/go.mod h1:I/5z698sn9Ka8TeJc9MKroUUfqBBauWjQqLJ2OPfmY0=
+golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard v0.0.20200321-0.20200715051853-507f148e1c42/go.mod h1:GJvYs5O24/ASlwPiRklVnjMx2xQzrOic0DuU6GvYJL4=
+golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard v0.0.20200321-0.20201111175144-60b3766b89b9 h1:qowcZ56hhpeoESmWzI4Exhx4Y78TpCyXUJur4/c0CoE=
 golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard v0.0.20200321-0.20201111175144-60b3766b89b9/go.mod h1:LMeNfjlcPZTrBC1juwgbQyA4Zy2XVcsrdO/fIJxwyuA=
+golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/windows v0.1.2-0.20201004085714-dd60d0447f81/go.mod h1:GaK5zcgr5XE98WaRzIDilumDBp5/yP8j2kG/LCDnvAM=
+golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/windows v0.1.2-0.20201113162609-9b85be97fdf8 h1:nlXPqGA98n+qcq1pwZ28KjM5EsFQvamKS00A+VUeVjs=
 golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/windows v0.1.2-0.20201113162609-9b85be97fdf8/go.mod h1:psva4yDnAHLuh7lUzOK7J7bLYxNFfo0iKWz+mi9gzkA=
 google.golang.org/appengine v1.4.0/go.mod h1:xpcJRLb0r/rnEns0DIKYYv+WjYCduHsrkT7/EB5XEv4=
 gopkg.in/check.v1 v0.0.0-20161208181325-20d25e280405/go.mod h1:Co6ibVJAznAaIkqp8huTwlJQCZ016jof/cbN4VW5Yz0=
@@ -219,8 +244,10 @@ gopkg.in/yaml.v2 v2.2.2/go.mod h1:hI93XBmqTisBFMUTm0b8Fm+jr3Dg1NNxqwp+5A1VGuI=
 gopkg.in/yaml.v2 v2.2.4/go.mod h1:hI93XBmqTisBFMUTm0b8Fm+jr3Dg1NNxqwp+5A1VGuI=
 gopkg.in/yaml.v2 v2.2.7 h1:VUgggvou5XRW9mHwD/yXxIYSMtY0zoKQf/v226p2nyo=
 gopkg.in/yaml.v2 v2.2.7/go.mod h1:hI93XBmqTisBFMUTm0b8Fm+jr3Dg1NNxqwp+5A1VGuI=
+honnef.co/go/tools v0.0.1-2020.1.4/go.mod h1:X/FiERA/W4tHapMX5mGpAtMSVEeEUOyHaw9vFzvIQ3k=
 honnef.co/go/tools v0.1.0 h1:AWNL1W1i7f0wNZ8VwOKNJ0sliKvOF/adn0EHenfUh+c=
 honnef.co/go/tools v0.1.0/go.mod h1:XtegFAyX/PfluP4921rXU5IkjkqBCDnUq4W8VCIoKvM=
+inet.af/netaddr v0.0.0-20200810144936-56928fe48a98/go.mod h1:qqYzz/2whtrbWJvt+DNWQyvekNN4ePQZcg2xc2/Yjww=
 inet.af/netaddr v0.0.0-20201218162718-658fec415e52/go.mod h1:qqYzz/2whtrbWJvt+DNWQyvekNN4ePQZcg2xc2/Yjww=
 inet.af/netaddr v0.0.0-20201223185330-97d366981fac h1:aqMW8vft7VmOIhtQhsTWhAuZzOBGYBv+Otyvwj+VGSU=
 inet.af/netaddr v0.0.0-20201223185330-97d366981fac/go.mod h1:9NdhtHLglxJliAZB6aC5ws3mfnUArdAzHG/iJq7cB/o=
@@ -232,3 +259,4 @@ inet.af/netaddr v0.0.0-20201228234250-33d0a924ebbf h1:0eHZ8v6j5wIiOVyoYPd70ueZ/R
 inet.af/netaddr v0.0.0-20201228234250-33d0a924ebbf/go.mod h1:9NdhtHLglxJliAZB6aC5ws3mfnUArdAzHG/iJq7cB/o=
 rsc.io/goversion v1.2.0 h1:SPn+NLTiAG7w30IRK/DKp1BjvpWabYgxlLp/+kx5J8w=
 rsc.io/goversion v1.2.0/go.mod h1:Eih9y/uIBS3ulggl7KNJ09xGSLcuNaLgmvvqa07sgfo=
+tailscale.com v1.2.10/go.mod h1:JEJiCce3MHtPCTdX2ahLc4tcnxZ7b5etish1Yt0B6+w=
diff --git a/ipn/local.go b/ipn/local.go
index d2b2f3c78..5b781542c 100644
--- a/ipn/local.go
+++ b/ipn/local.go
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import (
 	"tailscale.com/types/empty"
 	"tailscale.com/types/key"
 	"tailscale.com/types/logger"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 	"tailscale.com/util/systemd"
 	"tailscale.com/version"
 	"tailscale.com/wgengine"
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ type LocalBackend struct {
 	userID         string   // current controlling user ID (for Windows, primarily)
 	prefs          *Prefs
 	inServerMode   bool
-	machinePrivKey wgcfg.PrivateKey
+	machinePrivKey wgkey.Private
 	state          State
 	// hostinfo is mutated in-place while mu is held.
 	hostinfo *tailcfg.Hostinfo
@@ -737,7 +738,7 @@ func (b *LocalBackend) initMachineKeyLocked() (err error) {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	var legacyMachineKey wgcfg.PrivateKey
+	var legacyMachineKey wgkey.Private
 	if b.prefs.Persist != nil {
 		legacyMachineKey = b.prefs.Persist.LegacyFrontendPrivateMachineKey
 	}
@@ -772,7 +773,7 @@ func (b *LocalBackend) initMachineKeyLocked() (err error) {
 	} else {
 		b.logf("generating new machine key")
 		var err error
-		b.machinePrivKey, err = wgcfg.NewPrivateKey()
+		b.machinePrivKey, err = wgkey.NewPrivate()
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("initializing new machine key: %w", err)
 		}
diff --git a/ipn/prefs_test.go b/ipn/prefs_test.go
index 47fc02f6c..9715d7c89 100644
--- a/ipn/prefs_test.go
+++ b/ipn/prefs_test.go
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/tailscale/wireguard-go/wgcfg"
 	"inet.af/netaddr"
 	"tailscale.com/control/controlclient"
 	"tailscale.com/tstest"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 	"tailscale.com/wgengine/router"
 )
 
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ func TestPrefsPretty(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			Prefs{
 				Persist: &controlclient.Persist{
-					PrivateNodeKey: wgcfg.PrivateKey{1: 1},
+					PrivateNodeKey: wgkey.Private{1: 1},
 				},
 			},
 			"linux",
diff --git a/ipn/store.go b/ipn/store.go
index 117c68ca7..acce235d2 100644
--- a/ipn/store.go
+++ b/ipn/store.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ var ErrStateNotExist = errors.New("no state with given ID")
 
 const (
 	// MachineKeyStateKey is the key under which we store the machine key,
-	// in its wgcfg.PrivateKey.MarshalText representation.
+	// in its wgkey.Private.MarshalText representation.
 	MachineKeyStateKey = StateKey("_machinekey")
 
 	// GlobalDaemonStateKey is the ipn.StateKey that tailscaled
diff --git a/tailcfg/tailcfg_test.go b/tailcfg/tailcfg_test.go
index d0e2d6dce..93d3a6fae 100644
--- a/tailcfg/tailcfg_test.go
+++ b/tailcfg/tailcfg_test.go
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/tailscale/wireguard-go/wgcfg"
 	"inet.af/netaddr"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 )
 
 func fieldsOf(t reflect.Type) (fields []string) {
@@ -194,9 +194,9 @@ func TestNodeEqual(t *testing.T) {
 			have, nodeHandles)
 	}
 
-	newPublicKey := func(t *testing.T) wgcfg.Key {
+	newPublicKey := func(t *testing.T) wgkey.Key {
 		t.Helper()
-		k, err := wgcfg.NewPrivateKey()
+		k, err := wgkey.NewPrivate()
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
diff --git a/types/key/key_test.go b/types/key/key_test.go
index 4c5c97625..7a2155ef0 100644
--- a/types/key/key_test.go
+++ b/types/key/key_test.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ package key
 import (
 	"testing"
 
-	"github.com/tailscale/wireguard-go/wgcfg"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 )
 
 func TestTextUnmarshal(t *testing.T) {
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@ func TestTextUnmarshal(t *testing.T) {
 func TestClamping(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("NewPrivate", func(t *testing.T) { testClamping(t, NewPrivate) })
 
-	// Also test the wgcfg package, as their behavior should match.
-	t.Run("wgcfg", func(t *testing.T) {
+	// Also test the wgkey package, as their behavior should match.
+	t.Run("wgkey", func(t *testing.T) {
 		testClamping(t, func() Private {
-			k, err := wgcfg.NewPrivateKey()
+			k, err := wgkey.NewPrivate()
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
diff --git a/types/wgkey/key.go b/types/wgkey/key.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b9ba6deed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/types/wgkey/key.go
@@ -0,0 +1,241 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2020 Tailscale Inc & AUTHORS All rights reserved.
+// Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style
+// license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
+
+// Package wgkey contains types and helpers for WireGuard keys.
+// It is very similar to package tailscale.com/types/key,
+// which is also used for curve25519 keys.
+// These keys are used for WireGuard clients;
+// those keys are used in other curve25519 clients.
+package wgkey
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"crypto/subtle"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/chacha20poly1305"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/curve25519"
+)
+
+// Size is the number of bytes in a curve25519 key.
+const Size = 32
+
+// A Key is a curve25519 key.
+// It is used by WireGuard to represent public keys.
+type Key [Size]byte
+
+// NewPreshared generates a new random Key.
+func NewPreshared() (*Key, error) {
+	var k [Size]byte
+	_, err := rand.Read(k[:])
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return (*Key)(&k), nil
+}
+
+func Parse(b64 string) (*Key, error) { return parseBase64(base64.StdEncoding, b64) }
+
+func ParseHex(s string) (Key, error) {
+	b, err := hex.DecodeString(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Key{}, fmt.Errorf("invalid hex key (%q): %w", s, err)
+	}
+	if len(b) != Size {
+		return Key{}, fmt.Errorf("invalid hex key (%q): length=%d, want %d", s, len(b), Size)
+	}
+
+	var key Key
+	copy(key[:], b)
+	return key, nil
+}
+
+func ParsePrivateHex(v string) (Private, error) {
+	k, err := ParseHex(v)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Private{}, err
+	}
+	pk := Private(k)
+	if pk.IsZero() {
+		// Do not clamp a zero key, pass the zero through
+		// (much like NaN propagation) so that IsZero reports
+		// a useful result.
+		return pk, nil
+	}
+	pk.clamp()
+	return pk, nil
+}
+
+func (k Key) Base64() string    { return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(k[:]) }
+func (k Key) String() string    { return k.ShortString() }
+func (k Key) HexString() string { return hex.EncodeToString(k[:]) }
+func (k Key) Equal(k2 Key) bool { return subtle.ConstantTimeCompare(k[:], k2[:]) == 1 }
+
+func (k *Key) ShortString() string {
+	long := k.Base64()
+	return "[" + long[0:5] + "]"
+}
+
+func (k *Key) IsZero() bool {
+	if k == nil {
+		return true
+	}
+	var zeros Key
+	return subtle.ConstantTimeCompare(zeros[:], k[:]) == 1
+}
+
+func (k *Key) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
+	if k == nil {
+		return []byte("null"), nil
+	}
+	// TODO(josharian): use encoding/hex instead?
+	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	fmt.Fprintf(buf, `"%x"`, k[:])
+	return buf.Bytes(), nil
+}
+
+func (k *Key) UnmarshalJSON(b []byte) error {
+	if k == nil {
+		return errors.New("wgkey.Key: UnmarshalJSON on nil pointer")
+	}
+	if len(b) < 3 || b[0] != '"' || b[len(b)-1] != '"' {
+		return errors.New("wgkey.Key: UnmarshalJSON not given a string")
+	}
+	b = b[1 : len(b)-1]
+	key, err := ParseHex(string(b))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("wgkey.Key: UnmarshalJSON: %v", err)
+	}
+	copy(k[:], key[:])
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a *Key) LessThan(b *Key) bool {
+	for i := range a {
+		if a[i] < b[i] {
+			return true
+		} else if a[i] > b[i] {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// A Private is a curve25519 key.
+// It is used by WireGuard to represent private keys.
+type Private [Size]byte
+
+// NewPrivate generates a new curve25519 secret key.
+// It conforms to the format described on https://cr.yp.to/ecdh.html.
+func NewPrivate() (Private, error) {
+	k, err := NewPreshared()
+	if err != nil {
+		return Private{}, err
+	}
+	k[0] &= 248
+	k[31] = (k[31] & 127) | 64
+	return (Private)(*k), nil
+}
+
+func ParsePrivate(b64 string) (*Private, error) {
+	k, err := parseBase64(base64.StdEncoding, b64)
+	return (*Private)(k), err
+}
+
+func (k *Private) String() string        { return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(k[:]) }
+func (k *Private) HexString() string     { return hex.EncodeToString(k[:]) }
+func (k *Private) Equal(k2 Private) bool { return subtle.ConstantTimeCompare(k[:], k2[:]) == 1 }
+
+func (k *Private) IsZero() bool {
+	pk := Key(*k)
+	return pk.IsZero()
+}
+
+func (k *Private) clamp() {
+	k[0] &= 248
+	k[31] = (k[31] & 127) | 64
+}
+
+// Public computes the public key matching this curve25519 secret key.
+func (k *Private) Public() Key {
+	pk := Key(*k)
+	if pk.IsZero() {
+		panic("Tried to generate emptyPrivate.Public()")
+	}
+	var p [Size]byte
+	curve25519.ScalarBaseMult(&p, (*[Size]byte)(k))
+	return (Key)(p)
+}
+
+func (k Private) MarshalText() ([]byte, error) {
+	// TODO(josharian): use encoding/hex instead?
+	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	fmt.Fprintf(buf, `privkey:%x`, k[:])
+	return buf.Bytes(), nil
+}
+
+func (k *Private) UnmarshalText(b []byte) error {
+	s := string(b)
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(s, `privkey:`) {
+		return errors.New("wgkey.Private: UnmarshalText not given a private-key string")
+	}
+	s = strings.TrimPrefix(s, `privkey:`)
+	key, err := ParseHex(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("wgkey.Private: UnmarshalText: %v", err)
+	}
+	copy(k[:], key[:])
+	return nil
+}
+
+func parseBase64(enc *base64.Encoding, s string) (*Key, error) {
+	k, err := enc.DecodeString(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid key (%q): %w", s, err)
+	}
+	if len(k) != Size {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid key (%q): length=%d, want %d", s, len(k), Size)
+	}
+	var key Key
+	copy(key[:], k)
+	return &key, nil
+}
+
+func ParseSymmetric(b64 string) (Symmetric, error) {
+	k, err := parseBase64(base64.StdEncoding, b64)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Symmetric{}, err
+	}
+	return Symmetric(*k), nil
+}
+
+func ParseSymmetricHex(s string) (Symmetric, error) {
+	b, err := hex.DecodeString(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Symmetric{}, fmt.Errorf("invalid symmetric hex key (%q): %w", s, err)
+	}
+	if len(b) != chacha20poly1305.KeySize {
+		return Symmetric{}, fmt.Errorf("invalid symmetric hex key length (%q): length=%d, want %d", s, len(b), chacha20poly1305.KeySize)
+	}
+	var key Symmetric
+	copy(key[:], b)
+	return key, nil
+}
+
+// Symmetric is a chacha20poly1305 key.
+// It is used by WireGuard to represent pre-shared symmetric keys.
+type Symmetric [chacha20poly1305.KeySize]byte
+
+func (k Symmetric) Base64() string    { return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(k[:]) }
+func (k Symmetric) String() string    { return "sym:" + k.Base64()[:8] }
+func (k Symmetric) HexString() string { return hex.EncodeToString(k[:]) }
+func (k Symmetric) IsZero() bool      { return k.Equal(Symmetric{}) }
+func (k Symmetric) Equal(k2 Symmetric) bool {
+	return subtle.ConstantTimeCompare(k[:], k2[:]) == 1
+}
diff --git a/types/wgkey/key_test.go b/types/wgkey/key_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9b8632a3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/types/wgkey/key_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2020 Tailscale Inc & AUTHORS All rights reserved.
+// Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style
+// license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
+
+package wgkey
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestKeyBasics(t *testing.T) {
+	k1, err := NewPreshared()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	b, err := k1.MarshalJSON()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	t.Run("JSON round-trip", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// should preserve the keys
+		k2 := new(Key)
+		if err := k2.UnmarshalJSON(b); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if !bytes.Equal(k1[:], k2[:]) {
+			t.Fatalf("k1 %v != k2 %v", k1[:], k2[:])
+		}
+		if b1, b2 := k1.String(), k2.String(); b1 != b2 {
+			t.Fatalf("base64-encoded keys do not match: %s, %s", b1, b2)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("JSON incompatible with PrivateKey", func(t *testing.T) {
+		k2 := new(Private)
+		if err := k2.UnmarshalText(b); err == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("successfully decoded key as private key")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("second key", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// A second call to NewPreshared should make a new key.
+		k3, err := NewPreshared()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if bytes.Equal(k1[:], k3[:]) {
+			t.Fatalf("k1 %v == k3 %v", k1[:], k3[:])
+		}
+		// Check for obvious comparables to make sure we are not generating bad strings somewhere.
+		if b1, b2 := k1.String(), k3.String(); b1 == b2 {
+			t.Fatalf("base64-encoded keys match: %s, %s", b1, b2)
+		}
+	})
+}
+func TestPrivateKeyBasics(t *testing.T) {
+	pri, err := NewPrivate()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	b, err := pri.MarshalText()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	t.Run("JSON round-trip", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// should preserve the keys
+		pri2 := new(Private)
+		if err := pri2.UnmarshalText(b); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if !bytes.Equal(pri[:], pri2[:]) {
+			t.Fatalf("pri %v != pri2 %v", pri[:], pri2[:])
+		}
+		if b1, b2 := pri.String(), pri2.String(); b1 != b2 {
+			t.Fatalf("base64-encoded keys do not match: %s, %s", b1, b2)
+		}
+		if pub1, pub2 := pri.Public().String(), pri2.Public().String(); pub1 != pub2 {
+			t.Fatalf("base64-encoded public keys do not match: %s, %s", pub1, pub2)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("JSON incompatible with Key", func(t *testing.T) {
+		k2 := new(Key)
+		if err := k2.UnmarshalJSON(b); err == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("successfully decoded private key as key")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("second key", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// A second call to New should make a new key.
+		pri3, err := NewPrivate()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if bytes.Equal(pri[:], pri3[:]) {
+			t.Fatalf("pri %v == pri3 %v", pri[:], pri3[:])
+		}
+		// Check for obvious comparables to make sure we are not generating bad strings somewhere.
+		if b1, b2 := pri.String(), pri3.String(); b1 == b2 {
+			t.Fatalf("base64-encoded keys match: %s, %s", b1, b2)
+		}
+		if pub1, pub2 := pri.Public().String(), pri3.Public().String(); pub1 == pub2 {
+			t.Fatalf("base64-encoded public keys match: %s, %s", pub1, pub2)
+		}
+	})
+}
diff --git a/wgengine/magicsock/legacy.go b/wgengine/magicsock/legacy.go
index cb61a0a2d..083f313db 100644
--- a/wgengine/magicsock/legacy.go
+++ b/wgengine/magicsock/legacy.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"tailscale.com/ipn/ipnstate"
 	"tailscale.com/types/key"
 	"tailscale.com/types/logger"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 )
 
 var errNoDestinations = errors.New("magicsock: no destinations")
@@ -387,7 +388,7 @@ func (a *addrSet) UpdateDst(new *net.UDPAddr) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	publicKey := wgcfg.Key(a.publicKey)
+	publicKey := wgkey.Key(a.publicKey)
 	pk := publicKey.ShortString()
 	old := "<none>"
 	if a.curAddr >= 0 {
diff --git a/wgengine/magicsock/magicsock.go b/wgengine/magicsock/magicsock.go
index 8073d01e0..c162da9b0 100644
--- a/wgengine/magicsock/magicsock.go
+++ b/wgengine/magicsock/magicsock.go
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ import (
 	"tailscale.com/types/nettype"
 	"tailscale.com/types/opt"
 	"tailscale.com/types/structs"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 	"tailscale.com/version"
 )
 
@@ -1562,7 +1563,7 @@ Top:
 		} else if asEp != nil {
 			ep = asEp
 		} else {
-			key := wgcfg.Key(dm.src)
+			key := wgkey.Key(dm.src)
 			c.logf("magicsock: DERP packet from unknown key: %s", key.ShortString())
 			// TODO(danderson): after we fail to find a DERP endpoint, we
 			// seem to be falling through to passing the packet to
@@ -1952,7 +1953,7 @@ func (c *Conn) SetNetworkUp(up bool) {
 //
 // If the private key changes, any DERP connections are torn down &
 // recreated when needed.
-func (c *Conn) SetPrivateKey(privateKey wgcfg.PrivateKey) error {
+func (c *Conn) SetPrivateKey(privateKey wgkey.Private) error {
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	defer c.mu.Unlock()
 
@@ -2660,7 +2661,7 @@ func simpleDur(d time.Duration) time.Duration {
 }
 
 func peerShort(k key.Public) string {
-	k2 := wgcfg.Key(k)
+	k2 := wgkey.Key(k)
 	return k2.ShortString()
 }
 
diff --git a/wgengine/magicsock/magicsock_test.go b/wgengine/magicsock/magicsock_test.go
index 0ca3816c4..7aac0572a 100644
--- a/wgengine/magicsock/magicsock_test.go
+++ b/wgengine/magicsock/magicsock_test.go
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ import (
 	"tailscale.com/types/key"
 	"tailscale.com/types/logger"
 	"tailscale.com/types/nettype"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 	"tailscale.com/wgengine/filter"
 	"tailscale.com/wgengine/tstun"
 )
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ func runDERPAndStun(t *testing.T, logf logger.Logf, l nettype.PacketListener, st
 // necessary to send and receive packets to test e2e wireguard
 // happiness.
 type magicStack struct {
-	privateKey wgcfg.PrivateKey
+	privateKey wgkey.Private
 	epCh       chan []string       // endpoint updates produced by this peer
 	conn       *Conn               // the magicsock itself
 	tun        *tuntest.ChannelTUN // TUN device to send/receive packets
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ type magicStack struct {
 func newMagicStack(t testing.TB, logf logger.Logf, l nettype.PacketListener, derpMap *tailcfg.DERPMap) *magicStack {
 	t.Helper()
 
-	privateKey, err := wgcfg.NewPrivateKey()
+	privateKey, err := wgkey.NewPrivate()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("generating private key: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -347,7 +348,7 @@ func TestNewConn(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer conn.Close()
 	conn.SetDERPMap(stuntest.DERPMapOf(stunAddr.String()))
-	conn.SetPrivateKey(wgcfg.PrivateKey(key.NewPrivate()))
+	conn.SetPrivateKey(wgkey.Private(key.NewPrivate()))
 	conn.Start()
 
 	go func() {
@@ -457,11 +458,11 @@ func makeConfigs(t *testing.T, addrs []netaddr.IPPort) []wgcfg.Config {
 	var addresses [][]netaddr.IPPrefix
 
 	for i := range addrs {
-		privKey, err := wgcfg.NewPrivateKey()
+		privKey, err := wgkey.NewPrivate()
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		privKeys = append(privKeys, privKey)
+		privKeys = append(privKeys, wgcfg.PrivateKey(privKey))
 
 		addresses = append(addresses, []netaddr.IPPrefix{
 			parseCIDR(t, fmt.Sprintf("1.0.0.%d/32", i+1)),
diff --git a/wgengine/userspace.go b/wgengine/userspace.go
index 13397c60f..f7b403ce1 100644
--- a/wgengine/userspace.go
+++ b/wgengine/userspace.go
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import (
 	"tailscale.com/tailcfg"
 	"tailscale.com/types/key"
 	"tailscale.com/types/logger"
+	"tailscale.com/types/wgkey"
 	"tailscale.com/version"
 	"tailscale.com/version/distro"
 	"tailscale.com/wgengine/filter"
@@ -113,9 +114,9 @@ type userspaceEngine struct {
 	closing            bool       // Close was called (even if we're still closing)
 	statusCallback     StatusCallback
 	linkChangeCallback func(major bool, newState *interfaces.State)
-	peerSequence       []wgcfg.Key
+	peerSequence       []wgkey.Key
 	endpoints          []string
-	pingers            map[wgcfg.Key]*pinger // legacy pingers for pre-discovery peers
+	pingers            map[wgkey.Key]*pinger // legacy pingers for pre-discovery peers
 	linkState          *interfaces.State
 
 	// Lock ordering: magicsock.Conn.mu, wgLock, then mu.
@@ -202,7 +203,7 @@ func newUserspaceEngineAdvanced(conf EngineConfig) (_ Engine, reterr error) {
 		waitCh:   make(chan struct{}),
 		tundev:   tstun.WrapTUN(logf, conf.TUN),
 		resolver: tsdns.NewResolver(rconf),
-		pingers:  make(map[wgcfg.Key]*pinger),
+		pingers:  make(map[wgkey.Key]*pinger),
 	}
 	e.localAddrs.Store(map[netaddr.IP]bool{})
 	e.linkState, _ = getLinkState()
@@ -290,7 +291,7 @@ func newUserspaceEngineAdvanced(conf EngineConfig) (_ Engine, reterr error) {
 				}
 			}
 			if len(ips) > 0 {
-				go e.pinger(peerKey, ips)
+				go e.pinger(wgkey.Key(peerKey), ips)
 			} else {
 				logf("[unexpected] peer %s has no single-IP routes: %v", peerKey.ShortString(), allowedIPs)
 			}
@@ -487,7 +488,7 @@ func (p *pinger) close() {
 	<-p.done
 }
 
-func (p *pinger) run(ctx context.Context, peerKey wgcfg.Key, ips []netaddr.IP, srcIP netaddr.IP) {
+func (p *pinger) run(ctx context.Context, peerKey wgkey.Key, ips []netaddr.IP, srcIP netaddr.IP) {
 	defer func() {
 		p.e.mu.Lock()
 		if p.e.pingers[peerKey] == p {
@@ -556,7 +557,7 @@ func (p *pinger) run(ctx context.Context, peerKey wgcfg.Key, ips []netaddr.IP, s
 //
 // This is only used with legacy peers (before 0.100.0) that don't
 // have advertised discovery keys.
-func (e *userspaceEngine) pinger(peerKey wgcfg.Key, ips []netaddr.IP) {
+func (e *userspaceEngine) pinger(peerKey wgkey.Key, ips []netaddr.IP) {
 	e.logf("[v1] generating initial ping traffic to %s (%v)", peerKey.ShortString(), ips)
 	var srcIP netaddr.IP
 
@@ -890,7 +891,7 @@ func (e *userspaceEngine) Reconfig(cfg *wgcfg.Config, routerCfg *router.Config)
 	e.mu.Lock()
 	e.peerSequence = e.peerSequence[:0]
 	for _, p := range cfg.Peers {
-		e.peerSequence = append(e.peerSequence, p.PublicKey)
+		e.peerSequence = append(e.peerSequence, wgkey.Key(p.PublicKey))
 		peerSet[key.Public(p.PublicKey)] = struct{}{}
 	}
 	e.mu.Unlock()
@@ -932,7 +933,7 @@ func (e *userspaceEngine) Reconfig(cfg *wgcfg.Config, routerCfg *router.Config)
 	// (which is needed by DERP) before wgdev gets it, as wgdev
 	// will start trying to handshake, which we want to be able to
 	// go over DERP.
-	if err := e.magicConn.SetPrivateKey(cfg.PrivateKey); err != nil {
+	if err := e.magicConn.SetPrivateKey(wgkey.Private(cfg.PrivateKey)); err != nil {
 		e.logf("wgengine: Reconfig: SetPrivateKey: %v", err)
 	}
 	e.magicConn.UpdatePeers(peerSet)
@@ -1039,7 +1040,7 @@ func (e *userspaceEngine) getStatus() (*Status, error) {
 		errc <- bw.Flush()
 	}()
 
-	pp := make(map[wgcfg.Key]*PeerStatus)
+	pp := make(map[wgkey.Key]*PeerStatus)
 	p := &PeerStatus{}
 
 	var hst1, hst2, n int64
@@ -1062,7 +1063,7 @@ func (e *userspaceEngine) getStatus() (*Status, error) {
 				log.Fatalf("IpcGetOperation: invalid key %#v", v)
 			}
 			p = &PeerStatus{}
-			pp[wgcfg.Key(pk)] = p
+			pp[wgkey.Key(pk)] = p
 
 			key := tailcfg.NodeKey(pk)
 			p.NodeKey = key