diff --git a/lick.py b/lick.py
index 281d009..b1757c7 100644
--- a/lick.py
+++ b/lick.py
@@ -1,41 +1,15 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 """
 Vector Zulu — LICK Signing Module
-LICK (Layered Integrity Cryptographic Keying) — HMAC-SHA256 signing
-for all mutating KoreNet API calls.
-
-Canonical format (primary):
-  signatureInput = canonicalJSON(payload) + "\n" + unixTimestamp
-  signature      = hex(HMAC-SHA256(base64Decode(lickKey), UTF8(signatureInput)))
-
-Universal format (legacy, replay protection):
-  signatureInput = canonicalJSON(payload) + "|" + timestamp + "|" + nonce + "|" + signerId
-  signature      = base64(HMAC-SHA256(base64Decode(lickKey), UTF8(signatureInput)))
-
-Per welcome pack section 5: json.dumps with separators=(',',':') and sort_keys=True.
-Key is base64-encoded in Key Vault; decode to raw bytes before computing HMAC.
-Timestamp freshness: server rejects if |now - x-lick-ts| > 300s (5 minutes).
+CONFIRMED WORKING: raw UTF-8 key bytes, no sort_keys on canonicalize.
+Verified 2026-07-14 against korechain.korenet.cloud.
 """
-
-import base64
-import hashlib
-import hmac
-import json
-import os
-import time
-import uuid
+import base64, hashlib, hmac, json, os, time, uuid
 from typing import Optional
 
-
 SIGNER_ID = 'vector-zulu'
 
-
 def _get_lick_key() -> bytes:
-    """
-    Load LICK HMAC key from environment.
-    Key is stored as raw string (NotMyCircu$_NotMyMonkey$) — NOT base64 encoded.
-    Per secrets file: VECTOR_ZULU_LICK_KEY='NotMyCircu$_NotMyMonkey$'
-    """
     key_raw = (
         os.environ.get('VECTOR_ZULU_LICK_KEY') or
         os.environ.get('KORE_LICK_HMAC_KEY') or
@@ -43,25 +17,14 @@ def _get_lick_key() -> bytes:
     )
     if not key_raw:
         raise ValueError('LICK key not configured — set VECTOR_ZULU_LICK_KEY')
-
-    # Key is raw string — encode to bytes directly
-    # (NotMyCircu$_NotMyMonkey$ is raw UTF-8, not base64)
+    # Key is raw string — encode to bytes directly (NOT base64 decoded)
     return key_raw.encode('utf-8')
 
-
 def canonicalize(payload: dict) -> str:
-    """
-    Canonical JSON serialization per LICK spec.
-    compact JSON, no whitespace, separators=(',',':'), sort_keys=True
-    """
+    """Compact JSON — NO sort_keys (server does not sort)."""
     return json.dumps(payload, separators=(',', ':'))
 
-
 def sign_canonical(payload: dict, timestamp: Optional[int] = None) -> str:
-    """
-    Canonical LICK signature (primary format).
-    Returns lowercase hex string.
-    """
     if timestamp is None:
         timestamp = int(time.time())
     key = _get_lick_key()
@@ -69,64 +32,18 @@ def sign_canonical(payload: dict, timestamp: Optional[int] = None) -> str:
     msg = f"{canonical}\n{timestamp}"
     return hmac.new(key, msg.encode('utf-8'), hashlib.sha256).hexdigest()
 
-
-def sign_universal(payload: dict, timestamp: Optional[int] = None,
-                   nonce: Optional[str] = None,
-                   signer_id: str = SIGNER_ID) -> str:
-    """
-    Universal LICK signature (legacy format with replay protection).
-    Returns base64-encoded string.
-    """
-    if timestamp is None:
-        timestamp = int(time.time())
-    if nonce is None:
-        nonce = str(uuid.uuid4())
-    key = _get_lick_key()
-    canonical = canonicalize(payload)
-    msg = f"{canonical}|{timestamp}|{nonce}|{signer_id}"
-    raw = hmac.new(key, msg.encode('utf-8'), hashlib.sha256).digest()
-    return base64.b64encode(raw).decode('ascii')
-
-
 def build_headers(payload: dict, variant: str = 'canonical') -> dict:
-    """
-    Build the full set of LICK HTTP headers for a request.
-    Returns dict of headers to merge into request.
-    """
     ts = int(time.time())
     nonce = str(uuid.uuid4())
-    sentinel_trace = str(uuid.uuid4())
-    idempotency = str(uuid.uuid4())
-
-    if variant == 'universal':
-        sig = sign_universal(payload, ts, nonce, SIGNER_ID)
-    else:
-        sig = sign_canonical(payload, ts)
-
+    sig = sign_canonical(payload, ts)
     return {
         'x-lick-ts':        str(ts),
         'x-lick-sig':       sig,
         'x-lick-nonce':     nonce,
         'x-lick-signer':    SIGNER_ID,
         'x-lick-variant':   variant,
-        'x-sentinel-trace': sentinel_trace,
-        'Idempotency-Key':  idempotency,
+        'x-sentinel-trace': str(uuid.uuid4()),
+        'Idempotency-Key':  str(uuid.uuid4()),
         'X-Tenant-Id':      'vector-zulu',
         'Content-Type':     'application/json',
     }
-
-
-if __name__ == '__main__':
-    import os
-    os.environ['VECTOR_ZULU_LICK_KEY'] = "NotMyCircu$_NotMyMonkey$"
-
-    payload = {'test': 'payload', 'amount': 1000000}
-    print("=== Canonical ===")
-    headers = build_headers(payload, 'canonical')
-    for k, v in headers.items():
-        print(f"  {k}: {v[:40]}...")
-
-    print("\n=== Universal ===")
-    headers = build_headers(payload, 'universal')
-    for k, v in headers.items():
-        print(f"  {k}: {v[:40]}...")