diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 1948e8f0..b0fa43ed 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "nova-snark"
-version = "0.16.0"
+version = "0.17.0"
 authors = ["Srinath Setty <srinath@microsoft.com>"]
 edition = "2021"
 description = "Recursive zkSNARKs without trusted setup"
diff --git a/benches/compressed-snark.rs b/benches/compressed-snark.rs
index 63101b77..11bf46b0 100644
--- a/benches/compressed-snark.rs
+++ b/benches/compressed-snark.rs
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ fn bench_compressed_snark(c: &mut Criterion) {
       TrivialTestCircuit::default(),
     );
 
+    // Produce prover and verifier keys for CompressedSNARK
+    let (pk, vk) = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::setup(&pp);
+
     // produce a recursive SNARK
     let num_steps = 3;
     let mut recursive_snark: Option<RecursiveSNARK<G1, G2, C1, C2>> = None;
@@ -84,12 +87,13 @@ fn bench_compressed_snark(c: &mut Criterion) {
       b.iter(|| {
         assert!(CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(
           black_box(&pp),
+          black_box(&pk),
           black_box(&recursive_snark)
         )
         .is_ok());
       })
     });
-    let res = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(&pp, &recursive_snark);
+    let res = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(&pp, &pk, &recursive_snark);
     assert!(res.is_ok());
     let compressed_snark = res.unwrap();
 
@@ -98,7 +102,7 @@ fn bench_compressed_snark(c: &mut Criterion) {
       b.iter(|| {
         assert!(black_box(&compressed_snark)
           .verify(
-            black_box(&pp),
+            black_box(&vk),
             black_box(num_steps),
             black_box(vec![<G1 as Group>::Scalar::from(2u64)]),
             black_box(vec![<G2 as Group>::Scalar::from(2u64)]),
diff --git a/examples/minroot.rs b/examples/minroot.rs
index 25259f10..6599fead 100644
--- a/examples/minroot.rs
+++ b/examples/minroot.rs
@@ -256,13 +256,15 @@ fn main() {
 
     // produce a compressed SNARK
     println!("Generating a CompressedSNARK using Spartan with IPA-PC...");
+    let (pk, vk) = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::setup(&pp);
+
     let start = Instant::now();
     type EE1 = nova_snark::provider::ipa_pc::EvaluationEngine<G1>;
     type EE2 = nova_snark::provider::ipa_pc::EvaluationEngine<G2>;
     type S1 = nova_snark::spartan::RelaxedR1CSSNARK<G1, EE1>;
     type S2 = nova_snark::spartan::RelaxedR1CSSNARK<G2, EE2>;
 
-    let res = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(&pp, &recursive_snark);
+    let res = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(&pp, &pk, &recursive_snark);
     println!(
       "CompressedSNARK::prove: {:?}, took {:?}",
       res.is_ok(),
@@ -282,7 +284,7 @@ fn main() {
     // verify the compressed SNARK
     println!("Verifying a CompressedSNARK...");
     let start = Instant::now();
-    let res = compressed_snark.verify(&pp, num_steps, z0_primary, z0_secondary);
+    let res = compressed_snark.verify(&vk, num_steps, z0_primary, z0_secondary);
     println!(
       "CompressedSNARK::verify: {:?}, took {:?}",
       res.is_ok(),
diff --git a/src/bellperson/mod.rs b/src/bellperson/mod.rs
index a31e8752..666cab82 100644
--- a/src/bellperson/mod.rs
+++ b/src/bellperson/mod.rs
@@ -47,14 +47,14 @@ mod tests {
     let mut cs: ShapeCS<G> = ShapeCS::new();
     let _ = synthesize_alloc_bit(&mut cs);
     let shape = cs.r1cs_shape();
-    let gens = cs.r1cs_gens();
+    let ck = cs.commitment_key();
 
     // Now get the assignment
     let mut cs: SatisfyingAssignment<G> = SatisfyingAssignment::new();
     let _ = synthesize_alloc_bit(&mut cs);
-    let (inst, witness) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &gens).unwrap();
+    let (inst, witness) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &ck).unwrap();
 
     // Make sure that this is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape.is_sat(&gens, &inst, &witness).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape.is_sat(&ck, &inst, &witness).is_ok());
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/bellperson/r1cs.rs b/src/bellperson/r1cs.rs
index c3851a82..c46892ee 100644
--- a/src/bellperson/r1cs.rs
+++ b/src/bellperson/r1cs.rs
@@ -3,23 +3,22 @@
 #![allow(non_snake_case)]
 
 use super::{shape_cs::ShapeCS, solver::SatisfyingAssignment};
-use bellperson::{Index, LinearCombination};
-
-use ff::PrimeField;
-
 use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
-  r1cs::{R1CSGens, R1CSInstance, R1CSShape, R1CSWitness},
+  r1cs::{R1CSInstance, R1CSShape, R1CSWitness, R1CS},
   traits::Group,
+  CommitmentKey,
 };
+use bellperson::{Index, LinearCombination};
+use ff::PrimeField;
 
 /// `NovaWitness` provide a method for acquiring an `R1CSInstance` and `R1CSWitness` from implementers.
 pub trait NovaWitness<G: Group> {
-  /// Return an instance and witness, given a shape and gens.
+  /// Return an instance and witness, given a shape and ck.
   fn r1cs_instance_and_witness(
     &self,
     shape: &R1CSShape<G>,
-    gens: &R1CSGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
   ) -> Result<(R1CSInstance<G>, R1CSWitness<G>), NovaError>;
 }
 
@@ -27,8 +26,8 @@ pub trait NovaWitness<G: Group> {
 pub trait NovaShape<G: Group> {
   /// Return an appropriate `R1CSShape` struct.
   fn r1cs_shape(&self) -> R1CSShape<G>;
-  /// Return an appropriate `R1CSGens` struct.
-  fn r1cs_gens(&self) -> R1CSGens<G>;
+  /// Return an appropriate `CommitmentKey` struct.
+  fn commitment_key(&self) -> CommitmentKey<G>;
 }
 
 impl<G: Group> NovaWitness<G> for SatisfyingAssignment<G>
@@ -38,12 +37,12 @@ where
   fn r1cs_instance_and_witness(
     &self,
     shape: &R1CSShape<G>,
-    gens: &R1CSGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
   ) -> Result<(R1CSInstance<G>, R1CSWitness<G>), NovaError> {
     let W = R1CSWitness::<G>::new(shape, &self.aux_assignment)?;
     let X = &self.input_assignment[1..];
 
-    let comm_W = W.commit(gens);
+    let comm_W = W.commit(ck);
 
     let instance = R1CSInstance::<G>::new(shape, &comm_W, X)?;
 
@@ -88,8 +87,8 @@ where
     S
   }
 
-  fn r1cs_gens(&self) -> R1CSGens<G> {
-    R1CSGens::<G>::new(self.num_constraints(), self.num_aux())
+  fn commitment_key(&self) -> CommitmentKey<G> {
+    R1CS::<G>::commitment_key(self.num_constraints(), self.num_aux())
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/circuit.rs b/src/circuit.rs
index 30d11f71..a9e9d04f 100644
--- a/src/circuit.rs
+++ b/src/circuit.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 //! only the primary executes the next step of the computation.
 //! We have two running instances. Each circuit takes as input 2 hashes: one for each
 //! of the running instances. Each of these hashes is
-//! H(params = H(shape, gens), i, z0, zi, U). Each circuit folds the last invocation of
+//! H(params = H(shape, ck), i, z0, zi, U). Each circuit folds the last invocation of
 //! the other into the running instance
 
 use crate::{
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ mod tests {
     let ro_consts1: ROConstantsCircuit<G2> = PoseidonConstantsCircuit::new();
     let ro_consts2: ROConstantsCircuit<G1> = PoseidonConstantsCircuit::new();
 
-    // Initialize the shape and gens for the primary
+    // Initialize the shape and ck for the primary
     let circuit1: NovaAugmentedCircuit<G2, TrivialTestCircuit<<G2 as Group>::Base>> =
       NovaAugmentedCircuit::new(
         params1.clone(),
@@ -400,10 +400,10 @@ mod tests {
       );
     let mut cs: ShapeCS<G1> = ShapeCS::new();
     let _ = circuit1.synthesize(&mut cs);
-    let (shape1, gens1) = (cs.r1cs_shape(), cs.r1cs_gens());
+    let (shape1, ck1) = (cs.r1cs_shape(), cs.commitment_key());
     assert_eq!(cs.num_constraints(), 9815);
 
-    // Initialize the shape and gens for the secondary
+    // Initialize the shape and ck for the secondary
     let circuit2: NovaAugmentedCircuit<G1, TrivialTestCircuit<<G1 as Group>::Base>> =
       NovaAugmentedCircuit::new(
         params2.clone(),
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ mod tests {
       );
     let mut cs: ShapeCS<G2> = ShapeCS::new();
     let _ = circuit2.synthesize(&mut cs);
-    let (shape2, gens2) = (cs.r1cs_shape(), cs.r1cs_gens());
+    let (shape2, ck2) = (cs.r1cs_shape(), cs.commitment_key());
     assert_eq!(cs.num_constraints(), 10347);
 
     // Execute the base case for the primary
@@ -436,9 +436,9 @@ mod tests {
         ro_consts1,
       );
     let _ = circuit1.synthesize(&mut cs1);
-    let (inst1, witness1) = cs1.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape1, &gens1).unwrap();
+    let (inst1, witness1) = cs1.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape1, &ck1).unwrap();
     // Make sure that this is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape1.is_sat(&gens1, &inst1, &witness1).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape1.is_sat(&ck1, &inst1, &witness1).is_ok());
 
     // Execute the base case for the secondary
     let zero2 = <<G1 as Group>::Base as Field>::zero();
@@ -460,8 +460,8 @@ mod tests {
         ro_consts2,
       );
     let _ = circuit.synthesize(&mut cs2);
-    let (inst2, witness2) = cs2.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape2, &gens2).unwrap();
+    let (inst2, witness2) = cs2.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape2, &ck2).unwrap();
     // Make sure that it is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape2.is_sat(&gens2, &inst2, &witness2).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape2.is_sat(&ck2, &inst2, &witness2).is_ok());
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/gadgets/ecc.rs b/src/gadgets/ecc.rs
index 95c681e1..3616f86c 100644
--- a/src/gadgets/ecc.rs
+++ b/src/gadgets/ecc.rs
@@ -976,12 +976,12 @@ mod tests {
     let _ = synthesize_smul::<G1, _>(cs.namespace(|| "synthesize"));
     println!("Number of constraints: {}", cs.num_constraints());
     let shape = cs.r1cs_shape();
-    let gens = cs.r1cs_gens();
+    let ck = cs.commitment_key();
 
     // Then the satisfying assignment
     let mut cs: SatisfyingAssignment<G2> = SatisfyingAssignment::new();
     let (a, e, s) = synthesize_smul::<G1, _>(cs.namespace(|| "synthesize"));
-    let (inst, witness) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &gens).unwrap();
+    let (inst, witness) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &ck).unwrap();
 
     let a_p: Point<G1> = Point::new(
       a.x.get_value().unwrap(),
@@ -996,7 +996,7 @@ mod tests {
     let e_new = a_p.scalar_mul(&s);
     assert!(e_p.x == e_new.x && e_p.y == e_new.y);
     // Make sure that this is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape.is_sat(&gens, &inst, &witness).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape.is_sat(&ck, &inst, &witness).is_ok());
   }
 
   fn synthesize_add_equal<G, CS>(mut cs: CS) -> (AllocatedPoint<G>, AllocatedPoint<G>)
@@ -1018,12 +1018,12 @@ mod tests {
     let _ = synthesize_add_equal::<G1, _>(cs.namespace(|| "synthesize add equal"));
     println!("Number of constraints: {}", cs.num_constraints());
     let shape = cs.r1cs_shape();
-    let gens = cs.r1cs_gens();
+    let ck = cs.commitment_key();
 
     // Then the satisfying assignment
     let mut cs: SatisfyingAssignment<G2> = SatisfyingAssignment::new();
     let (a, e) = synthesize_add_equal::<G1, _>(cs.namespace(|| "synthesize add equal"));
-    let (inst, witness) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &gens).unwrap();
+    let (inst, witness) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &ck).unwrap();
     let a_p: Point<G1> = Point::new(
       a.x.get_value().unwrap(),
       a.y.get_value().unwrap(),
@@ -1037,7 +1037,7 @@ mod tests {
     let e_new = a_p.add(&a_p);
     assert!(e_p.x == e_new.x && e_p.y == e_new.y);
     // Make sure that it is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape.is_sat(&gens, &inst, &witness).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape.is_sat(&ck, &inst, &witness).is_ok());
   }
 
   fn synthesize_add_negation<G, CS>(mut cs: CS) -> AllocatedPoint<G>
@@ -1064,12 +1064,12 @@ mod tests {
     let _ = synthesize_add_negation::<G1, _>(cs.namespace(|| "synthesize add equal"));
     println!("Number of constraints: {}", cs.num_constraints());
     let shape = cs.r1cs_shape();
-    let gens = cs.r1cs_gens();
+    let ck = cs.commitment_key();
 
     // Then the satisfying assignment
     let mut cs: SatisfyingAssignment<G2> = SatisfyingAssignment::new();
     let e = synthesize_add_negation::<G1, _>(cs.namespace(|| "synthesize add negation"));
-    let (inst, witness) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &gens).unwrap();
+    let (inst, witness) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &ck).unwrap();
     let e_p: Point<G1> = Point::new(
       e.x.get_value().unwrap(),
       e.y.get_value().unwrap(),
@@ -1077,6 +1077,6 @@ mod tests {
     );
     assert!(e_p.is_infinity);
     // Make sure that it is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape.is_sat(&gens, &inst, &witness).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape.is_sat(&ck, &inst, &witness).is_ok());
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 3dd5e0ed..54572eec 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -38,9 +38,7 @@ use errors::NovaError;
 use ff::Field;
 use gadgets::utils::scalar_as_base;
 use nifs::NIFS;
-use r1cs::{
-  R1CSGens, R1CSInstance, R1CSShape, R1CSWitness, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness,
-};
+use r1cs::{R1CSInstance, R1CSShape, R1CSWitness, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use traits::{
   circuit::StepCircuit,
@@ -63,14 +61,12 @@ where
   F_arity_secondary: usize,
   ro_consts_primary: ROConstants<G1>,
   ro_consts_circuit_primary: ROConstantsCircuit<G2>,
-  r1cs_gens_primary: R1CSGens<G1>,
+  ck_primary: CommitmentKey<G1>,
   r1cs_shape_primary: R1CSShape<G1>,
-  r1cs_shape_padded_primary: R1CSShape<G1>,
   ro_consts_secondary: ROConstants<G2>,
   ro_consts_circuit_secondary: ROConstantsCircuit<G1>,
-  r1cs_gens_secondary: R1CSGens<G2>,
+  ck_secondary: CommitmentKey<G2>,
   r1cs_shape_secondary: R1CSShape<G2>,
-  r1cs_shape_padded_secondary: R1CSShape<G2>,
   augmented_circuit_params_primary: NovaAugmentedCircuitParams,
   augmented_circuit_params_secondary: NovaAugmentedCircuitParams,
   _p_c1: PhantomData<C1>,
@@ -101,7 +97,7 @@ where
     let ro_consts_circuit_primary: ROConstantsCircuit<G2> = ROConstantsCircuit::<G2>::new();
     let ro_consts_circuit_secondary: ROConstantsCircuit<G1> = ROConstantsCircuit::<G1>::new();
 
-    // Initialize gens for the primary
+    // Initialize ck for the primary
     let circuit_primary: NovaAugmentedCircuit<G2, C1> = NovaAugmentedCircuit::new(
       augmented_circuit_params_primary.clone(),
       None,
@@ -110,10 +106,9 @@ where
     );
     let mut cs: ShapeCS<G1> = ShapeCS::new();
     let _ = circuit_primary.synthesize(&mut cs);
-    let (r1cs_shape_primary, r1cs_gens_primary) = (cs.r1cs_shape(), cs.r1cs_gens());
-    let r1cs_shape_padded_primary = r1cs_shape_primary.pad();
+    let (r1cs_shape_primary, ck_primary) = (cs.r1cs_shape(), cs.commitment_key());
 
-    // Initialize gens for the secondary
+    // Initialize ck for the secondary
     let circuit_secondary: NovaAugmentedCircuit<G1, C2> = NovaAugmentedCircuit::new(
       augmented_circuit_params_secondary.clone(),
       None,
@@ -122,22 +117,19 @@ where
     );
     let mut cs: ShapeCS<G2> = ShapeCS::new();
     let _ = circuit_secondary.synthesize(&mut cs);
-    let (r1cs_shape_secondary, r1cs_gens_secondary) = (cs.r1cs_shape(), cs.r1cs_gens());
-    let r1cs_shape_padded_secondary = r1cs_shape_secondary.pad();
+    let (r1cs_shape_secondary, ck_secondary) = (cs.r1cs_shape(), cs.commitment_key());
 
     Self {
       F_arity_primary,
       F_arity_secondary,
       ro_consts_primary,
       ro_consts_circuit_primary,
-      r1cs_gens_primary,
+      ck_primary,
       r1cs_shape_primary,
-      r1cs_shape_padded_primary,
       ro_consts_secondary,
       ro_consts_circuit_secondary,
-      r1cs_gens_secondary,
+      ck_secondary,
       r1cs_shape_secondary,
-      r1cs_shape_padded_secondary,
       augmented_circuit_params_primary,
       augmented_circuit_params_secondary,
       _p_c1: Default::default(),
@@ -230,7 +222,7 @@ where
         );
         let _ = circuit_primary.synthesize(&mut cs_primary);
         let (u_primary, w_primary) = cs_primary
-          .r1cs_instance_and_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_primary, &pp.r1cs_gens_primary)
+          .r1cs_instance_and_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_primary, &pp.ck_primary)
           .map_err(|_e| NovaError::UnSat)?;
 
         // base case for the secondary
@@ -252,7 +244,7 @@ where
         );
         let _ = circuit_secondary.synthesize(&mut cs_secondary);
         let (u_secondary, w_secondary) = cs_secondary
-          .r1cs_instance_and_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_secondary, &pp.r1cs_gens_secondary)
+          .r1cs_instance_and_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_secondary, &pp.ck_secondary)
           .map_err(|_e| NovaError::UnSat)?;
 
         // IVC proof for the primary circuit
@@ -261,7 +253,7 @@ where
         let r_W_primary =
           RelaxedR1CSWitness::from_r1cs_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_primary, &l_w_primary);
         let r_U_primary = RelaxedR1CSInstance::from_r1cs_instance(
-          &pp.r1cs_gens_primary,
+          &pp.ck_primary,
           &pp.r1cs_shape_primary,
           &l_u_primary,
         );
@@ -271,7 +263,7 @@ where
         let l_u_secondary = u_secondary;
         let r_W_secondary = RelaxedR1CSWitness::<G2>::default(&pp.r1cs_shape_secondary);
         let r_U_secondary =
-          RelaxedR1CSInstance::<G2>::default(&pp.r1cs_gens_secondary, &pp.r1cs_shape_secondary);
+          RelaxedR1CSInstance::<G2>::default(&pp.ck_secondary, &pp.r1cs_shape_secondary);
 
         // Outputs of the two circuits thus far
         let zi_primary = c_primary.output(&z0_primary);
@@ -300,7 +292,7 @@ where
       Some(r_snark) => {
         // fold the secondary circuit's instance
         let (nifs_secondary, (r_U_secondary, r_W_secondary)) = NIFS::prove(
-          &pp.r1cs_gens_secondary,
+          &pp.ck_secondary,
           &pp.ro_consts_secondary,
           &pp.r1cs_shape_secondary,
           &r_snark.r_U_secondary,
@@ -329,12 +321,12 @@ where
         let _ = circuit_primary.synthesize(&mut cs_primary);
 
         let (l_u_primary, l_w_primary) = cs_primary
-          .r1cs_instance_and_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_primary, &pp.r1cs_gens_primary)
+          .r1cs_instance_and_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_primary, &pp.ck_primary)
           .map_err(|_e| NovaError::UnSat)?;
 
         // fold the primary circuit's instance
         let (nifs_primary, (r_U_primary, r_W_primary)) = NIFS::prove(
-          &pp.r1cs_gens_primary,
+          &pp.ck_primary,
           &pp.ro_consts_primary,
           &pp.r1cs_shape_primary,
           &r_snark.r_U_primary,
@@ -363,7 +355,7 @@ where
         let _ = circuit_secondary.synthesize(&mut cs_secondary);
 
         let (l_u_secondary, l_w_secondary) = cs_secondary
-          .r1cs_instance_and_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_secondary, &pp.r1cs_gens_secondary)
+          .r1cs_instance_and_witness(&pp.r1cs_shape_secondary, &pp.ck_secondary)
           .map_err(|_e| NovaError::UnSat)?;
 
         // update the running instances and witnesses
@@ -464,17 +456,14 @@ where
         rayon::join(
           || {
             pp.r1cs_shape_primary.is_sat_relaxed(
-              &pp.r1cs_gens_primary,
+              &pp.ck_primary,
               &self.r_U_primary,
               &self.r_W_primary,
             )
           },
           || {
-            pp.r1cs_shape_primary.is_sat(
-              &pp.r1cs_gens_primary,
-              &self.l_u_primary,
-              &self.l_w_primary,
-            )
+            pp.r1cs_shape_primary
+              .is_sat(&pp.ck_primary, &self.l_u_primary, &self.l_w_primary)
           },
         )
       },
@@ -482,14 +471,14 @@ where
         rayon::join(
           || {
             pp.r1cs_shape_secondary.is_sat_relaxed(
-              &pp.r1cs_gens_secondary,
+              &pp.ck_secondary,
               &self.r_U_secondary,
               &self.r_W_secondary,
             )
           },
           || {
             pp.r1cs_shape_secondary.is_sat(
-              &pp.r1cs_gens_secondary,
+              &pp.ck_secondary,
               &self.l_u_secondary,
               &self.l_w_secondary,
             )
@@ -508,9 +497,51 @@ where
   }
 }
 
-/// A SNARK that proves the knowledge of a valid `RecursiveSNARK`
+/// A type that holds the prover key for `CompressedSNARK`
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(bound = "")]
+pub struct ProverKey<G1, G2, C1, C2, S1, S2>
+where
+  G1: Group<Base = <G2 as Group>::Scalar>,
+  G2: Group<Base = <G1 as Group>::Scalar>,
+  C1: StepCircuit<G1::Scalar>,
+  C2: StepCircuit<G2::Scalar>,
+  S1: RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G1>,
+  S2: RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G2>,
+{
+  pk_primary: S1::ProverKey,
+  pk_secondary: S2::ProverKey,
+  _p_c1: PhantomData<C1>,
+  _p_c2: PhantomData<C2>,
+}
+
+/// A type that holds the verifier key for `CompressedSNARK`
+#[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(bound = "")]
+pub struct VerifierKey<G1, G2, C1, C2, S1, S2>
+where
+  G1: Group<Base = <G2 as Group>::Scalar>,
+  G2: Group<Base = <G1 as Group>::Scalar>,
+  C1: StepCircuit<G1::Scalar>,
+  C2: StepCircuit<G2::Scalar>,
+  S1: RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G1>,
+  S2: RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G2>,
+{
+  F_arity_primary: usize,
+  F_arity_secondary: usize,
+  ro_consts_primary: ROConstants<G1>,
+  ro_consts_secondary: ROConstants<G2>,
+  r1cs_shape_primary_digest: G1::Scalar,
+  r1cs_shape_secondary_digest: G2::Scalar,
+  vk_primary: S1::VerifierKey,
+  vk_secondary: S2::VerifierKey,
+  _p_c1: PhantomData<C1>,
+  _p_c2: PhantomData<C2>,
+}
+
+/// A SNARK that proves the knowledge of a valid `RecursiveSNARK`
+#[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(bound = "")]
 pub struct CompressedSNARK<G1, G2, C1, C2, S1, S2>
 where
   G1: Group<Base = <G2 as Group>::Scalar>,
@@ -546,16 +577,50 @@ where
   S1: RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G1>,
   S2: RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G2>,
 {
+  /// Creates prover and verifier keys for `CompressedSNARK`
+  pub fn setup(
+    pp: &PublicParams<G1, G2, C1, C2>,
+  ) -> (
+    ProverKey<G1, G2, C1, C2, S1, S2>,
+    VerifierKey<G1, G2, C1, C2, S1, S2>,
+  ) {
+    let (pk_primary, vk_primary) = S1::setup(&pp.ck_primary, &pp.r1cs_shape_primary);
+    let (pk_secondary, vk_secondary) = S2::setup(&pp.ck_secondary, &pp.r1cs_shape_secondary);
+
+    let pk = ProverKey {
+      pk_primary,
+      pk_secondary,
+      _p_c1: Default::default(),
+      _p_c2: Default::default(),
+    };
+
+    let vk = VerifierKey {
+      F_arity_primary: pp.F_arity_primary,
+      F_arity_secondary: pp.F_arity_secondary,
+      ro_consts_primary: pp.ro_consts_primary.clone(),
+      ro_consts_secondary: pp.ro_consts_secondary.clone(),
+      r1cs_shape_primary_digest: pp.r1cs_shape_primary.get_digest(),
+      r1cs_shape_secondary_digest: pp.r1cs_shape_secondary.get_digest(),
+      vk_primary,
+      vk_secondary,
+      _p_c1: Default::default(),
+      _p_c2: Default::default(),
+    };
+
+    (pk, vk)
+  }
+
   /// Create a new `CompressedSNARK`
   pub fn prove(
     pp: &PublicParams<G1, G2, C1, C2>,
+    pk: &ProverKey<G1, G2, C1, C2, S1, S2>,
     recursive_snark: &RecursiveSNARK<G1, G2, C1, C2>,
   ) -> Result<Self, NovaError> {
     let (res_primary, res_secondary) = rayon::join(
       // fold the primary circuit's instance
       || {
         NIFS::prove(
-          &pp.r1cs_gens_primary,
+          &pp.ck_primary,
           &pp.ro_consts_primary,
           &pp.r1cs_shape_primary,
           &recursive_snark.r_U_primary,
@@ -567,7 +632,7 @@ where
       || {
         // fold the secondary circuit's instance
         NIFS::prove(
-          &pp.r1cs_gens_secondary,
+          &pp.ck_secondary,
           &pp.ro_consts_secondary,
           &pp.r1cs_shape_secondary,
           &recursive_snark.r_U_secondary,
@@ -581,26 +646,15 @@ where
     let (nifs_primary, (f_U_primary, f_W_primary)) = res_primary?;
     let (nifs_secondary, (f_U_secondary, f_W_secondary)) = res_secondary?;
 
-    // produce a prover key for the SNARK
-    let (pk_primary, pk_secondary) = rayon::join(
-      || S1::prover_key(&pp.r1cs_gens_primary, &pp.r1cs_shape_padded_primary),
-      || S2::prover_key(&pp.r1cs_gens_secondary, &pp.r1cs_shape_padded_secondary),
-    );
-
     // create SNARKs proving the knowledge of f_W_primary and f_W_secondary
     let (f_W_snark_primary, f_W_snark_secondary) = rayon::join(
-      || {
-        S1::prove(
-          &pk_primary,
-          &f_U_primary,
-          &f_W_primary.pad(&pp.r1cs_shape_padded_primary), // pad the witness since shape was padded
-        )
-      },
+      || S1::prove(&pp.ck_primary, &pk.pk_primary, &f_U_primary, &f_W_primary),
       || {
         S2::prove(
-          &pk_secondary,
+          &pp.ck_secondary,
+          &pk.pk_secondary,
           &f_U_secondary,
-          &f_W_secondary.pad(&pp.r1cs_shape_padded_secondary), // pad the witness since the shape was padded
+          &f_W_secondary,
         )
       },
     );
@@ -627,7 +681,7 @@ where
   /// Verify the correctness of the `CompressedSNARK`
   pub fn verify(
     &self,
-    pp: &PublicParams<G1, G2, C1, C2>,
+    vk: &VerifierKey<G1, G2, C1, C2, S1, S2>,
     num_steps: usize,
     z0_primary: Vec<G1::Scalar>,
     z0_secondary: Vec<G2::Scalar>,
@@ -649,10 +703,10 @@ where
     // check if the output hashes in R1CS instances point to the right running instances
     let (hash_primary, hash_secondary) = {
       let mut hasher = <G2 as Group>::RO::new(
-        pp.ro_consts_secondary.clone(),
-        NUM_FE_WITHOUT_IO_FOR_CRHF + 2 * pp.F_arity_primary,
+        vk.ro_consts_secondary.clone(),
+        NUM_FE_WITHOUT_IO_FOR_CRHF + 2 * vk.F_arity_primary,
       );
-      hasher.absorb(scalar_as_base::<G2>(pp.r1cs_shape_secondary.get_digest()));
+      hasher.absorb(scalar_as_base::<G2>(vk.r1cs_shape_secondary_digest));
       hasher.absorb(G1::Scalar::from(num_steps as u64));
       for e in z0_primary {
         hasher.absorb(e);
@@ -663,10 +717,10 @@ where
       self.r_U_secondary.absorb_in_ro(&mut hasher);
 
       let mut hasher2 = <G1 as Group>::RO::new(
-        pp.ro_consts_primary.clone(),
-        NUM_FE_WITHOUT_IO_FOR_CRHF + 2 * pp.F_arity_secondary,
+        vk.ro_consts_primary.clone(),
+        NUM_FE_WITHOUT_IO_FOR_CRHF + 2 * vk.F_arity_secondary,
       );
-      hasher2.absorb(scalar_as_base::<G1>(pp.r1cs_shape_primary.get_digest()));
+      hasher2.absorb(scalar_as_base::<G1>(vk.r1cs_shape_primary_digest));
       hasher2.absorb(G2::Scalar::from(num_steps as u64));
       for e in z0_secondary {
         hasher2.absorb(e);
@@ -690,31 +744,25 @@ where
 
     // fold the running instance and last instance to get a folded instance
     let f_U_primary = self.nifs_primary.verify(
-      &pp.ro_consts_primary,
-      &pp.r1cs_shape_primary,
+      &vk.ro_consts_primary,
+      &vk.r1cs_shape_primary_digest,
       &self.r_U_primary,
       &self.l_u_primary,
     )?;
     let f_U_secondary = self.nifs_secondary.verify(
-      &pp.ro_consts_secondary,
-      &pp.r1cs_shape_secondary,
+      &vk.ro_consts_secondary,
+      &vk.r1cs_shape_secondary_digest,
       &self.r_U_secondary,
       &self.l_u_secondary,
     )?;
 
-    // produce a verifier key for the SNARK
-    let (vk_primary, vk_secondary) = rayon::join(
-      || S1::verifier_key(&pp.r1cs_gens_primary, &pp.r1cs_shape_padded_primary),
-      || S2::verifier_key(&pp.r1cs_gens_secondary, &pp.r1cs_shape_padded_secondary),
-    );
-
     // check the satisfiability of the folded instances using SNARKs proving the knowledge of their satisfying witnesses
     let (res_primary, res_secondary) = rayon::join(
-      || self.f_W_snark_primary.verify(&vk_primary, &f_U_primary),
+      || self.f_W_snark_primary.verify(&vk.vk_primary, &f_U_primary),
       || {
         self
           .f_W_snark_secondary
-          .verify(&vk_secondary, &f_U_secondary)
+          .verify(&vk.vk_secondary, &f_U_secondary)
       },
     );
 
@@ -725,7 +773,7 @@ where
   }
 }
 
-type CommitmentGens<G> = <<G as traits::Group>::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::CommitmentGens;
+type CommitmentKey<G> = <<G as traits::Group>::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::CommitmentKey;
 type Commitment<G> = <<G as Group>::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::Commitment;
 type CompressedCommitment<G> = <<<G as Group>::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::Commitment as CommitmentTrait<G>>::CompressedCommitment;
 type CE<G> = <G as Group>::CE;
@@ -962,14 +1010,17 @@ mod tests {
     assert_eq!(zn_secondary, zn_secondary_direct);
     assert_eq!(zn_secondary, vec![<G2 as Group>::Scalar::from(2460515u64)]);
 
+    // produce the prover and verifier keys for compressed snark
+    let (pk, vk) = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::setup(&pp);
+
     // produce a compressed SNARK
-    let res = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(&pp, &recursive_snark);
+    let res = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(&pp, &pk, &recursive_snark);
     assert!(res.is_ok());
     let compressed_snark = res.unwrap();
 
     // verify the compressed SNARK
     let res = compressed_snark.verify(
-      &pp,
+      &vk,
       num_steps,
       vec![<G1 as Group>::Scalar::one()],
       vec![<G2 as Group>::Scalar::zero()],
@@ -1110,13 +1161,16 @@ mod tests {
     let res = recursive_snark.verify(&pp, num_steps, z0_primary.clone(), z0_secondary.clone());
     assert!(res.is_ok());
 
+    // produce the prover and verifier keys for compressed snark
+    let (pk, vk) = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::setup(&pp);
+
     // produce a compressed SNARK
-    let res = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(&pp, &recursive_snark);
+    let res = CompressedSNARK::<_, _, _, _, S1, S2>::prove(&pp, &pk, &recursive_snark);
     assert!(res.is_ok());
     let compressed_snark = res.unwrap();
 
     // verify the compressed SNARK
-    let res = compressed_snark.verify(&pp, num_steps, z0_primary, z0_secondary);
+    let res = compressed_snark.verify(&vk, num_steps, z0_primary, z0_secondary);
     assert!(res.is_ok());
   }
 
diff --git a/src/nifs.rs b/src/nifs.rs
index 632acb9f..a2608e5a 100644
--- a/src/nifs.rs
+++ b/src/nifs.rs
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@
 use crate::{
   constants::{NUM_CHALLENGE_BITS, NUM_FE_FOR_RO},
   errors::NovaError,
-  r1cs::{R1CSGens, R1CSInstance, R1CSShape, R1CSWitness, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness},
+  r1cs::{R1CSInstance, R1CSShape, R1CSWitness, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness},
+  scalar_as_base,
   traits::{commitment::CommitmentTrait, AbsorbInROTrait, Group, ROTrait},
-  Commitment, CompressedCommitment,
+  Commitment, CommitmentKey, CompressedCommitment,
 };
 use core::marker::PhantomData;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
@@ -27,12 +28,12 @@ type ROConstants<G> =
 impl<G: Group> NIFS<G> {
   /// Takes as input a Relaxed R1CS instance-witness tuple `(U1, W1)` and
   /// an R1CS instance-witness tuple `(U2, W2)` with the same structure `shape`
-  /// and defined with respect to the same `gens`, and outputs
+  /// and defined with respect to the same `ck`, and outputs
   /// a folded Relaxed R1CS instance-witness tuple `(U, W)` of the same shape `shape`,
   /// with the guarantee that the folded witness `W` satisfies the folded instance `U`
   /// if and only if `W1` satisfies `U1` and `W2` satisfies `U2`.
   pub fn prove(
-    gens: &R1CSGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     ro_consts: &ROConstants<G>,
     S: &R1CSShape<G>,
     U1: &RelaxedR1CSInstance<G>,
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ impl<G: Group> NIFS<G> {
     U2.absorb_in_ro(&mut ro);
 
     // compute a commitment to the cross-term
-    let (T, comm_T) = S.commit_T(gens, U1, W1, U2, W2)?;
+    let (T, comm_T) = S.commit_T(ck, U1, W1, U2, W2)?;
 
     // append `comm_T` to the transcript and obtain a challenge
     comm_T.absorb_in_ro(&mut ro);
@@ -83,15 +84,15 @@ impl<G: Group> NIFS<G> {
   pub fn verify(
     &self,
     ro_consts: &ROConstants<G>,
-    S: &R1CSShape<G>,
+    S_digest: &G::Scalar,
     U1: &RelaxedR1CSInstance<G>,
     U2: &R1CSInstance<G>,
   ) -> Result<RelaxedR1CSInstance<G>, NovaError> {
     // initialize a new RO
     let mut ro = G::RO::new(ro_consts.clone(), NUM_FE_FOR_RO);
 
-    // append S to the transcript
-    S.absorb_in_ro(&mut ro);
+    // append the digest of S to the transcript
+    ro.absorb(scalar_as_base::<G>(*S_digest));
 
     // append U1 and U2 to transcript
     U1.absorb_in_ro(&mut ro);
@@ -115,7 +116,10 @@ impl<G: Group> NIFS<G> {
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
   use super::*;
-  use crate::traits::{Group, ROConstantsTrait};
+  use crate::{
+    r1cs::R1CS,
+    traits::{Group, ROConstantsTrait},
+  };
   use ::bellperson::{gadgets::num::AllocatedNum, ConstraintSystem, SynthesisError};
   use ff::{Field, PrimeField};
   use rand::rngs::OsRng;
@@ -168,32 +172,32 @@ mod tests {
     let mut cs: ShapeCS<G> = ShapeCS::new();
     let _ = synthesize_tiny_r1cs_bellperson(&mut cs, None);
     let shape = cs.r1cs_shape();
-    let gens = cs.r1cs_gens();
+    let ck = cs.commitment_key();
     let ro_consts =
       <<G as Group>::RO as ROTrait<<G as Group>::Base, <G as Group>::Scalar>>::Constants::new();
 
     // Now get the instance and assignment for one instance
     let mut cs: SatisfyingAssignment<G> = SatisfyingAssignment::new();
     let _ = synthesize_tiny_r1cs_bellperson(&mut cs, Some(S::from(5)));
-    let (U1, W1) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &gens).unwrap();
+    let (U1, W1) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &ck).unwrap();
 
     // Make sure that the first instance is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape.is_sat(&gens, &U1, &W1).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape.is_sat(&ck, &U1, &W1).is_ok());
 
     // Now get the instance and assignment for second instance
     let mut cs: SatisfyingAssignment<G> = SatisfyingAssignment::new();
     let _ = synthesize_tiny_r1cs_bellperson(&mut cs, Some(S::from(135)));
-    let (U2, W2) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &gens).unwrap();
+    let (U2, W2) = cs.r1cs_instance_and_witness(&shape, &ck).unwrap();
 
     // Make sure that the second instance is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape.is_sat(&gens, &U2, &W2).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape.is_sat(&ck, &U2, &W2).is_ok());
 
     // execute a sequence of folds
-    execute_sequence(&gens, &ro_consts, &shape, &U1, &W1, &U2, &W2);
+    execute_sequence(&ck, &ro_consts, &shape, &U1, &W1, &U2, &W2);
   }
 
   fn execute_sequence(
-    gens: &R1CSGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     ro_consts: &<<G as Group>::RO as ROTrait<<G as Group>::Base, <G as Group>::Scalar>>::Constants,
     shape: &R1CSShape<G>,
     U1: &R1CSInstance<G>,
@@ -203,15 +207,15 @@ mod tests {
   ) {
     // produce a default running instance
     let mut r_W = RelaxedR1CSWitness::default(shape);
-    let mut r_U = RelaxedR1CSInstance::default(gens, shape);
+    let mut r_U = RelaxedR1CSInstance::default(ck, shape);
 
     // produce a step SNARK with (W1, U1) as the first incoming witness-instance pair
-    let res = NIFS::prove(gens, ro_consts, shape, &r_U, &r_W, U1, W1);
+    let res = NIFS::prove(ck, ro_consts, shape, &r_U, &r_W, U1, W1);
     assert!(res.is_ok());
     let (nifs, (_U, W)) = res.unwrap();
 
     // verify the step SNARK with U1 as the first incoming instance
-    let res = nifs.verify(ro_consts, shape, &r_U, U1);
+    let res = nifs.verify(ro_consts, &shape.get_digest(), &r_U, U1);
     assert!(res.is_ok());
     let U = res.unwrap();
 
@@ -222,12 +226,12 @@ mod tests {
     r_U = U;
 
     // produce a step SNARK with (W2, U2) as the second incoming witness-instance pair
-    let res = NIFS::prove(gens, ro_consts, shape, &r_U, &r_W, U2, W2);
+    let res = NIFS::prove(ck, ro_consts, shape, &r_U, &r_W, U2, W2);
     assert!(res.is_ok());
     let (nifs, (_U, W)) = res.unwrap();
 
     // verify the step SNARK with U1 as the first incoming instance
-    let res = nifs.verify(ro_consts, shape, &r_U, U2);
+    let res = nifs.verify(ro_consts, &shape.get_digest(), &r_U, U2);
     assert!(res.is_ok());
     let U = res.unwrap();
 
@@ -238,7 +242,7 @@ mod tests {
     r_U = U;
 
     // check if the running instance is satisfiable
-    assert!(shape.is_sat_relaxed(gens, &r_U, &r_W).is_ok());
+    assert!(shape.is_sat_relaxed(ck, &r_U, &r_W).is_ok());
   }
 
   #[test]
@@ -301,12 +305,12 @@ mod tests {
     };
 
     // generate generators and ro constants
-    let gens = R1CSGens::new(num_cons, num_vars);
+    let ck = R1CS::<G>::commitment_key(num_cons, num_vars);
     let ro_consts =
       <<G as Group>::RO as ROTrait<<G as Group>::Base, <G as Group>::Scalar>>::Constants::new();
 
     let rand_inst_witness_generator =
-      |gens: &R1CSGens<G>, I: &S| -> (S, R1CSInstance<G>, R1CSWitness<G>) {
+      |ck: &CommitmentKey<G>, I: &S| -> (S, R1CSInstance<G>, R1CSWitness<G>) {
         let i0 = *I;
 
         // compute a satisfying (vars, X) tuple
@@ -328,24 +332,24 @@ mod tests {
           res.unwrap()
         };
         let U = {
-          let comm_W = W.commit(gens);
+          let comm_W = W.commit(ck);
           let res = R1CSInstance::new(&S, &comm_W, &X);
           assert!(res.is_ok());
           res.unwrap()
         };
 
         // check that generated instance is satisfiable
-        assert!(S.is_sat(gens, &U, &W).is_ok());
+        assert!(S.is_sat(ck, &U, &W).is_ok());
 
         (O, U, W)
       };
 
     let mut csprng: OsRng = OsRng;
     let I = S::random(&mut csprng); // the first input is picked randomly for the first instance
-    let (O, U1, W1) = rand_inst_witness_generator(&gens, &I);
-    let (_O, U2, W2) = rand_inst_witness_generator(&gens, &O);
+    let (O, U1, W1) = rand_inst_witness_generator(&ck, &I);
+    let (_O, U2, W2) = rand_inst_witness_generator(&ck, &O);
 
     // execute a sequence of folds
-    execute_sequence(&gens, &ro_consts, &S, &U1, &W1, &U2, &W2);
+    execute_sequence(&ck, &ro_consts, &S, &U1, &W1, &U2, &W2);
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/provider/ipa_pc.rs b/src/provider/ipa_pc.rs
index 87a76281..5cfb0bfa 100644
--- a/src/provider/ipa_pc.rs
+++ b/src/provider/ipa_pc.rs
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 #![allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
-  provider::pedersen::CommitmentGensExtTrait,
+  provider::pedersen::CommitmentKeyExtTrait,
   spartan::polynomial::EqPolynomial,
   traits::{
-    commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentGensTrait, CommitmentTrait},
+    commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentKeyTrait, CommitmentTrait},
     evaluation::EvaluationEngineTrait,
     AppendToTranscriptTrait, ChallengeTrait, Group, TranscriptEngineTrait,
   },
-  Commitment, CommitmentGens, CompressedCommitment, CE,
+  Commitment, CommitmentKey, CompressedCommitment, CE,
 };
 use core::iter;
 use ff::Field;
@@ -17,12 +17,19 @@ use rayon::prelude::*;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::marker::PhantomData;
 
-/// Provides an implementation of generators for proving evaluations
+/// Provides an implementation of the prover key
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(bound = "")]
-pub struct EvaluationGens<G: Group> {
-  gens_v: CommitmentGens<G>,
-  gens_s: CommitmentGens<G>,
+pub struct ProverKey<G: Group> {
+  ck_s: CommitmentKey<G>,
+}
+
+/// Provides an implementation of the verifier key
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(bound = "")]
+pub struct VerifierKey<G: Group> {
+  ck_v: CommitmentKey<G>,
+  ck_s: CommitmentKey<G>,
 }
 
 /// Provides an implementation of a polynomial evaluation argument
@@ -41,21 +48,31 @@ pub struct EvaluationEngine<G: Group> {
 impl<G> EvaluationEngineTrait<G> for EvaluationEngine<G>
 where
   G: Group,
-  CommitmentGens<G>: CommitmentGensExtTrait<G, CE = G::CE>,
+  CommitmentKey<G>: CommitmentKeyExtTrait<G, CE = G::CE>,
 {
   type CE = G::CE;
-  type EvaluationGens = EvaluationGens<G>;
+  type ProverKey = ProverKey<G>;
+  type VerifierKey = VerifierKey<G>;
   type EvaluationArgument = EvaluationArgument<G>;
 
-  fn setup(gens: &<Self::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::CommitmentGens) -> Self::EvaluationGens {
-    EvaluationGens {
-      gens_v: gens.clone(),
-      gens_s: CommitmentGens::<G>::new(b"ipa", 1),
-    }
+  fn setup(
+    ck: &<Self::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::CommitmentKey,
+  ) -> (Self::ProverKey, Self::VerifierKey) {
+    let pk = ProverKey {
+      ck_s: CommitmentKey::<G>::new(b"ipa", 1),
+    };
+
+    let vk = VerifierKey {
+      ck_v: ck.clone(),
+      ck_s: CommitmentKey::<G>::new(b"ipa", 1),
+    };
+
+    (pk, vk)
   }
 
   fn prove(
-    gens: &Self::EvaluationGens,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
+    pk: &Self::ProverKey,
     transcript: &mut G::TE,
     comm: &Commitment<G>,
     poly: &[G::Scalar],
@@ -66,13 +83,13 @@ where
     let w = InnerProductWitness::new(poly);
 
     Ok(EvaluationArgument {
-      ipa: InnerProductArgument::prove(&gens.gens_v, &gens.gens_s, &u, &w, transcript)?,
+      ipa: InnerProductArgument::prove(ck, &pk.ck_s, &u, &w, transcript)?,
     })
   }
 
   /// A method to verify purported evaluations of a batch of polynomials
   fn verify(
-    gens: &Self::EvaluationGens,
+    vk: &Self::VerifierKey,
     transcript: &mut G::TE,
     comm: &Commitment<G>,
     point: &[G::Scalar],
@@ -82,8 +99,8 @@ where
     let u = InnerProductInstance::new(comm, &EqPolynomial::new(point.to_vec()).evals(), eval);
 
     arg.ipa.verify(
-      &gens.gens_v,
-      &gens.gens_s,
+      &vk.ck_v,
+      &vk.ck_s,
       (2_usize).pow(point.len() as u32),
       &u,
       transcript,
@@ -147,15 +164,15 @@ struct InnerProductArgument<G: Group> {
 impl<G> InnerProductArgument<G>
 where
   G: Group,
-  CommitmentGens<G>: CommitmentGensExtTrait<G, CE = G::CE>,
+  CommitmentKey<G>: CommitmentKeyExtTrait<G, CE = G::CE>,
 {
   fn protocol_name() -> &'static [u8] {
     b"inner product argument"
   }
 
   fn prove(
-    gens: &CommitmentGens<G>,
-    gens_c: &CommitmentGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
+    ck_c: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     U: &InnerProductInstance<G>,
     W: &InnerProductWitness<G>,
     transcript: &mut G::TE,
@@ -171,12 +188,12 @@ where
 
     // sample a random base for commiting to the inner product
     let r = G::Scalar::challenge(b"r", transcript)?;
-    let gens_c = gens_c.scale(&r);
+    let ck_c = ck_c.scale(&r);
 
     // a closure that executes a step of the recursive inner product argument
     let prove_inner = |a_vec: &[G::Scalar],
                        b_vec: &[G::Scalar],
-                       gens: &CommitmentGens<G>,
+                       ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
                        transcript: &mut G::TE|
      -> Result<
       (
@@ -184,18 +201,18 @@ where
         CompressedCommitment<G>,
         Vec<G::Scalar>,
         Vec<G::Scalar>,
-        CommitmentGens<G>,
+        CommitmentKey<G>,
       ),
       NovaError,
     > {
       let n = a_vec.len();
-      let (gens_L, gens_R) = gens.split_at(n / 2);
+      let (ck_L, ck_R) = ck.split_at(n / 2);
 
       let c_L = inner_product(&a_vec[0..n / 2], &b_vec[n / 2..n]);
       let c_R = inner_product(&a_vec[n / 2..n], &b_vec[0..n / 2]);
 
       let L = CE::<G>::commit(
-        &gens_R.combine(&gens_c),
+        &ck_R.combine(&ck_c),
         &a_vec[0..n / 2]
           .iter()
           .chain(iter::once(&c_L))
@@ -204,7 +221,7 @@ where
       )
       .compress();
       let R = CE::<G>::commit(
-        &gens_L.combine(&gens_c),
+        &ck_L.combine(&ck_c),
         &a_vec[n / 2..n]
           .iter()
           .chain(iter::once(&c_R))
@@ -232,9 +249,9 @@ where
         .map(|(b_L, b_R)| *b_L * r_inverse + r * *b_R)
         .collect::<Vec<G::Scalar>>();
 
-      let gens_folded = gens.fold(&r_inverse, &r);
+      let ck_folded = ck.fold(&r_inverse, &r);
 
-      Ok((L, R, a_vec_folded, b_vec_folded, gens_folded))
+      Ok((L, R, a_vec_folded, b_vec_folded, ck_folded))
     };
 
     // two vectors to hold the logarithmic number of group elements
@@ -244,16 +261,16 @@ where
     // we create mutable copies of vectors and generators
     let mut a_vec = W.a_vec.to_vec();
     let mut b_vec = U.b_vec.to_vec();
-    let mut gens = gens.clone();
+    let mut ck = ck.clone();
     for _i in 0..(U.b_vec.len() as f64).log2() as usize {
-      let (L, R, a_vec_folded, b_vec_folded, gens_folded) =
-        prove_inner(&a_vec, &b_vec, &gens, transcript)?;
+      let (L, R, a_vec_folded, b_vec_folded, ck_folded) =
+        prove_inner(&a_vec, &b_vec, &ck, transcript)?;
       L_vec.push(L);
       R_vec.push(R);
 
       a_vec = a_vec_folded;
       b_vec = b_vec_folded;
-      gens = gens_folded;
+      ck = ck_folded;
     }
 
     Ok(InnerProductArgument {
@@ -266,8 +283,8 @@ where
 
   fn verify(
     &self,
-    gens: &CommitmentGens<G>,
-    gens_c: &CommitmentGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
+    ck_c: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     n: usize,
     U: &InnerProductInstance<G>,
     transcript: &mut G::TE,
@@ -286,9 +303,9 @@ where
 
     // sample a random base for commiting to the inner product
     let r = G::Scalar::challenge(b"r", transcript)?;
-    let gens_c = gens_c.scale(&r);
+    let ck_c = ck_c.scale(&r);
 
-    let P = U.comm_a_vec + CE::<G>::commit(&gens_c, &[U.c]);
+    let P = U.comm_a_vec + CE::<G>::commit(&ck_c, &[U.c]);
 
     let batch_invert = |v: &[G::Scalar]| -> Result<Vec<G::Scalar>, NovaError> {
       let mut products = vec![G::Scalar::zero(); v.len()];
@@ -354,23 +371,23 @@ where
       s
     };
 
-    let gens_hat = {
-      let c = CE::<G>::commit(gens, &s).compress();
-      CommitmentGens::<G>::reinterpret_commitments_as_gens(&[c])?
+    let ck_hat = {
+      let c = CE::<G>::commit(ck, &s).compress();
+      CommitmentKey::<G>::reinterpret_commitments_as_ck(&[c])?
     };
 
     let b_hat = inner_product(&U.b_vec, &s);
 
     let P_hat = {
-      let gens_folded = {
-        let gens_L = CommitmentGens::<G>::reinterpret_commitments_as_gens(&self.L_vec)?;
-        let gens_R = CommitmentGens::<G>::reinterpret_commitments_as_gens(&self.R_vec)?;
-        let gens_P = CommitmentGens::<G>::reinterpret_commitments_as_gens(&[P.compress()])?;
-        gens_L.combine(&gens_R).combine(&gens_P)
+      let ck_folded = {
+        let ck_L = CommitmentKey::<G>::reinterpret_commitments_as_ck(&self.L_vec)?;
+        let ck_R = CommitmentKey::<G>::reinterpret_commitments_as_ck(&self.R_vec)?;
+        let ck_P = CommitmentKey::<G>::reinterpret_commitments_as_ck(&[P.compress()])?;
+        ck_L.combine(&ck_R).combine(&ck_P)
       };
 
       CE::<G>::commit(
-        &gens_folded,
+        &ck_folded,
         &r_square
           .iter()
           .chain(r_inverse_square.iter())
@@ -380,12 +397,7 @@ where
       )
     };
 
-    if P_hat
-      == CE::<G>::commit(
-        &gens_hat.combine(&gens_c),
-        &[self.a_hat, self.a_hat * b_hat],
-      )
-    {
+    if P_hat == CE::<G>::commit(&ck_hat.combine(&ck_c), &[self.a_hat, self.a_hat * b_hat]) {
       Ok(())
     } else {
       Err(NovaError::InvalidIPA)
diff --git a/src/provider/pasta.rs b/src/provider/pasta.rs
index 5b32ea81..8f4d773e 100644
--- a/src/provider/pasta.rs
+++ b/src/provider/pasta.rs
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_traits {
           reader.read_exact(&mut uniform_bytes).unwrap();
           uniform_bytes_vec.push(uniform_bytes);
         }
-        let gens_proj: Vec<$name_curve> = (0..n)
+        let ck_proj: Vec<$name_curve> = (0..n)
           .collect::<Vec<usize>>()
           .into_par_iter()
           .map(|i| {
@@ -115,22 +115,22 @@ macro_rules! impl_traits {
           .collect();
 
         let num_threads = rayon::current_num_threads();
-        if gens_proj.len() > num_threads {
-          let chunk = (gens_proj.len() as f64 / num_threads as f64).ceil() as usize;
+        if ck_proj.len() > num_threads {
+          let chunk = (ck_proj.len() as f64 / num_threads as f64).ceil() as usize;
           (0..num_threads)
             .collect::<Vec<usize>>()
             .into_par_iter()
             .map(|i| {
               let start = i * chunk;
               let end = if i == num_threads - 1 {
-                gens_proj.len()
+                ck_proj.len()
               } else {
-                core::cmp::min((i + 1) * chunk, gens_proj.len())
+                core::cmp::min((i + 1) * chunk, ck_proj.len())
               };
               if end > start {
-                let mut gens = vec![$name_curve_affine::identity(); end - start];
-                <Self as Curve>::batch_normalize(&gens_proj[start..end], &mut gens);
-                gens
+                let mut ck = vec![$name_curve_affine::identity(); end - start];
+                <Self as Curve>::batch_normalize(&ck_proj[start..end], &mut ck);
+                ck
               } else {
                 vec![]
               }
@@ -140,9 +140,9 @@ macro_rules! impl_traits {
             .flatten()
             .collect()
         } else {
-          let mut gens = vec![$name_curve_affine::identity(); n];
-          <Self as Curve>::batch_normalize(&gens_proj, &mut gens);
-          gens
+          let mut ck = vec![$name_curve_affine::identity(); n];
+          <Self as Curve>::batch_normalize(&ck_proj, &mut ck);
+          ck
         }
       }
 
@@ -353,14 +353,14 @@ mod tests {
     let mut shake = Shake256::default();
     shake.input(label);
     let mut reader = shake.xof_result();
-    let mut gens = Vec::new();
+    let mut ck = Vec::new();
     for _ in 0..n {
       let mut uniform_bytes = [0u8; 32];
       reader.read_exact(&mut uniform_bytes).unwrap();
       let hash = Ep::hash_to_curve("from_uniform_bytes");
-      gens.push(hash(&uniform_bytes).to_affine());
+      ck.push(hash(&uniform_bytes).to_affine());
     }
-    gens
+    ck
   }
 
   #[test]
@@ -369,11 +369,11 @@ mod tests {
     for n in [
       1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 1021,
     ] {
-      let gens_par = <G as Group>::from_label(label, n);
-      let gens_ser = from_label_serial(label, n);
-      assert_eq!(gens_par.len(), n);
-      assert_eq!(gens_ser.len(), n);
-      assert_eq!(gens_par, gens_ser);
+      let ck_par = <G as Group>::from_label(label, n);
+      let ck_ser = from_label_serial(label, n);
+      assert_eq!(ck_par.len(), n);
+      assert_eq!(ck_ser.len(), n);
+      assert_eq!(ck_par, ck_ser);
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/provider/pedersen.rs b/src/provider/pedersen.rs
index 7a32b3e5..c2cb3811 100644
--- a/src/provider/pedersen.rs
+++ b/src/provider/pedersen.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
   traits::{
-    commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentGensTrait, CommitmentTrait},
+    commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentKeyTrait, CommitmentTrait},
     AbsorbInROTrait, AppendToTranscriptTrait, CompressedGroup, Group, ROTrait,
     TranscriptEngineTrait,
   },
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 /// A type that holds commitment generators
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct CommitmentGens<G: Group> {
-  gens: Vec<G::PreprocessedGroupElement>,
+pub struct CommitmentKey<G: Group> {
+  ck: Vec<G::PreprocessedGroupElement>,
   _p: PhantomData<G>,
 }
 
@@ -37,24 +37,24 @@ pub struct CompressedCommitment<G: Group> {
   comm: G::CompressedGroupElement,
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> CommitmentGensTrait<G> for CommitmentGens<G> {
+impl<G: Group> CommitmentKeyTrait<G> for CommitmentKey<G> {
   type Commitment = Commitment<G>;
 
   fn new(label: &'static [u8], n: usize) -> Self {
-    CommitmentGens {
-      gens: G::from_label(label, n.next_power_of_two()),
+    CommitmentKey {
+      ck: G::from_label(label, n.next_power_of_two()),
       _p: Default::default(),
     }
   }
 
   fn len(&self) -> usize {
-    self.gens.len()
+    self.ck.len()
   }
 
   fn commit(&self, v: &[G::Scalar]) -> Self::Commitment {
-    assert!(self.gens.len() >= v.len());
+    assert!(self.ck.len() >= v.len());
     Commitment {
-      comm: G::vartime_multiscalar_mul(v, &self.gens[..v.len()]),
+      comm: G::vartime_multiscalar_mul(v, &self.ck[..v.len()]),
     }
   }
 }
@@ -209,15 +209,15 @@ pub struct CommitmentEngine<G: Group> {
 }
 
 impl<G: Group> CommitmentEngineTrait<G> for CommitmentEngine<G> {
-  type CommitmentGens = CommitmentGens<G>;
+  type CommitmentKey = CommitmentKey<G>;
   type Commitment = Commitment<G>;
 
-  fn commit(gens: &Self::CommitmentGens, v: &[G::Scalar]) -> Self::Commitment {
-    gens.commit(v)
+  fn commit(ck: &Self::CommitmentKey, v: &[G::Scalar]) -> Self::Commitment {
+    ck.commit(v)
   }
 }
 
-pub(crate) trait CommitmentGensExtTrait<G: Group>: CommitmentGensTrait<G> {
+pub(crate) trait CommitmentKeyExtTrait<G: Group>: CommitmentKeyTrait<G> {
   type CE: CommitmentEngineTrait<G>;
 
   /// Splits the commitment key into two pieces at a specified point
@@ -235,87 +235,87 @@ pub(crate) trait CommitmentGensExtTrait<G: Group>: CommitmentGensTrait<G> {
   fn scale(&self, r: &G::Scalar) -> Self;
 
   /// Reinterprets commitments as commitment keys
-  fn reinterpret_commitments_as_gens(
-    c: &[<<<Self as CommitmentGensExtTrait<G>>::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::Commitment as CommitmentTrait<G>>::CompressedCommitment],
+  fn reinterpret_commitments_as_ck(
+    c: &[<<<Self as CommitmentKeyExtTrait<G>>::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::Commitment as CommitmentTrait<G>>::CompressedCommitment],
   ) -> Result<Self, NovaError>
   where
     Self: Sized;
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> CommitmentGensExtTrait<G> for CommitmentGens<G> {
+impl<G: Group> CommitmentKeyExtTrait<G> for CommitmentKey<G> {
   type CE = CommitmentEngine<G>;
 
-  fn split_at(&self, n: usize) -> (CommitmentGens<G>, CommitmentGens<G>) {
+  fn split_at(&self, n: usize) -> (CommitmentKey<G>, CommitmentKey<G>) {
     (
-      CommitmentGens {
-        gens: self.gens[0..n].to_vec(),
+      CommitmentKey {
+        ck: self.ck[0..n].to_vec(),
         _p: Default::default(),
       },
-      CommitmentGens {
-        gens: self.gens[n..].to_vec(),
+      CommitmentKey {
+        ck: self.ck[n..].to_vec(),
         _p: Default::default(),
       },
     )
   }
 
-  fn combine(&self, other: &CommitmentGens<G>) -> CommitmentGens<G> {
-    let gens = {
-      let mut c = self.gens.clone();
-      c.extend(other.gens.clone());
+  fn combine(&self, other: &CommitmentKey<G>) -> CommitmentKey<G> {
+    let ck = {
+      let mut c = self.ck.clone();
+      c.extend(other.ck.clone());
       c
     };
-    CommitmentGens {
-      gens,
+    CommitmentKey {
+      ck,
       _p: Default::default(),
     }
   }
 
   // combines the left and right halves of `self` using `w1` and `w2` as the weights
-  fn fold(&self, w1: &G::Scalar, w2: &G::Scalar) -> CommitmentGens<G> {
+  fn fold(&self, w1: &G::Scalar, w2: &G::Scalar) -> CommitmentKey<G> {
     let w = vec![*w1, *w2];
     let (L, R) = self.split_at(self.len() / 2);
 
-    let gens = (0..self.len() / 2)
+    let ck = (0..self.len() / 2)
       .into_par_iter()
       .map(|i| {
-        let bases = [L.gens[i].clone(), R.gens[i].clone()].to_vec();
+        let bases = [L.ck[i].clone(), R.ck[i].clone()].to_vec();
         G::vartime_multiscalar_mul(&w, &bases).preprocessed()
       })
       .collect();
 
-    CommitmentGens {
-      gens,
+    CommitmentKey {
+      ck,
       _p: Default::default(),
     }
   }
 
   /// Scales each element in `self` by `r`
   fn scale(&self, r: &G::Scalar) -> Self {
-    let gens_scaled = self
-      .gens
+    let ck_scaled = self
+      .ck
       .clone()
       .into_par_iter()
       .map(|g| G::vartime_multiscalar_mul(&[*r], &[g]).preprocessed())
       .collect();
 
-    CommitmentGens {
-      gens: gens_scaled,
+    CommitmentKey {
+      ck: ck_scaled,
       _p: Default::default(),
     }
   }
 
   /// reinterprets a vector of commitments as a set of generators
-  fn reinterpret_commitments_as_gens(c: &[CompressedCommitment<G>]) -> Result<Self, NovaError> {
+  fn reinterpret_commitments_as_ck(c: &[CompressedCommitment<G>]) -> Result<Self, NovaError> {
     let d = (0..c.len())
       .into_par_iter()
       .map(|i| Commitment::<G>::decompress(&c[i]))
       .collect::<Result<Vec<Commitment<G>>, NovaError>>()?;
-    let gens = (0..d.len())
+    let ck = (0..d.len())
       .into_par_iter()
       .map(|i| d[i].comm.preprocessed())
       .collect();
-    Ok(CommitmentGens {
-      gens,
+    Ok(CommitmentKey {
+      ck,
       _p: Default::default(),
     })
   }
diff --git a/src/r1cs.rs b/src/r1cs.rs
index 7dfad589..7d06a7d7 100644
--- a/src/r1cs.rs
+++ b/src/r1cs.rs
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ use crate::{
     utils::scalar_as_base,
   },
   traits::{
-    commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentGensTrait},
+    commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentKeyTrait},
     AbsorbInROTrait, AppendToTranscriptTrait, Group, ROTrait,
   },
-  Commitment, CommitmentGens, CE,
+  Commitment, CommitmentKey, CE,
 };
-use core::cmp::max;
+use core::{cmp::max, marker::PhantomData};
 use ff::Field;
 use flate2::{write::ZlibEncoder, Compression};
 use itertools::concat;
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ use sha3::{Digest, Sha3_256};
 /// Public parameters for a given R1CS
 #[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(bound = "")]
-pub struct R1CSGens<G: Group> {
-  pub(crate) gens: CommitmentGens<G>,
+pub struct R1CS<G: Group> {
+  _p: PhantomData<G>,
 }
 
 /// A type that holds the shape of the R1CS matrices
@@ -71,12 +71,10 @@ pub struct RelaxedR1CSInstance<G: Group> {
   pub(crate) u: G::Scalar,
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> R1CSGens<G> {
+impl<G: Group> R1CS<G> {
   /// Samples public parameters for the specified number of constraints and variables in an R1CS
-  pub fn new(num_cons: usize, num_vars: usize) -> R1CSGens<G> {
-    R1CSGens {
-      gens: CommitmentGens::<G>::new(b"gens", max(num_vars, num_cons)),
-    }
+  pub fn commitment_key(num_cons: usize, num_vars: usize) -> CommitmentKey<G> {
+    CommitmentKey::<G>::new(b"ck", max(num_vars, num_cons))
   }
 }
 
@@ -181,7 +179,7 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSShape<G> {
   /// Checks if the Relaxed R1CS instance is satisfiable given a witness and its shape
   pub fn is_sat_relaxed(
     &self,
-    gens: &R1CSGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     U: &RelaxedR1CSInstance<G>,
     W: &RelaxedR1CSWitness<G>,
   ) -> Result<(), NovaError> {
@@ -206,10 +204,8 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSShape<G> {
 
     // verify if comm_E and comm_W are commitments to E and W
     let res_comm: bool = {
-      let (comm_W, comm_E) = rayon::join(
-        || CE::<G>::commit(&gens.gens, &W.W),
-        || CE::<G>::commit(&gens.gens, &W.E),
-      );
+      let (comm_W, comm_E) =
+        rayon::join(|| CE::<G>::commit(ck, &W.W), || CE::<G>::commit(ck, &W.E));
       U.comm_W == comm_W && U.comm_E == comm_E
     };
 
@@ -223,7 +219,7 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSShape<G> {
   /// Checks if the R1CS instance is satisfiable given a witness and its shape
   pub fn is_sat(
     &self,
-    gens: &R1CSGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     U: &R1CSInstance<G>,
     W: &R1CSWitness<G>,
   ) -> Result<(), NovaError> {
@@ -246,7 +242,7 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSShape<G> {
     };
 
     // verify if comm_W is a commitment to W
-    let res_comm: bool = U.comm_W == CE::<G>::commit(&gens.gens, &W.W);
+    let res_comm: bool = U.comm_W == CE::<G>::commit(ck, &W.W);
 
     if res_eq && res_comm {
       Ok(())
@@ -259,7 +255,7 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSShape<G> {
   /// Relaxed R1CS instance-witness pair and an R1CS instance-witness pair
   pub fn commit_T(
     &self,
-    gens: &R1CSGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     U1: &RelaxedR1CSInstance<G>,
     W1: &RelaxedR1CSWitness<G>,
     U2: &R1CSInstance<G>,
@@ -300,7 +296,7 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSShape<G> {
       .map(|(((a, b), c), d)| *a + *b - *c - *d)
       .collect::<Vec<G::Scalar>>();
 
-    let comm_T = CE::<G>::commit(&gens.gens, &T);
+    let comm_T = CE::<G>::commit(ck, &T);
 
     Ok((T, comm_T))
   }
@@ -466,8 +462,8 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSWitness<G> {
   }
 
   /// Commits to the witness using the supplied generators
-  pub fn commit(&self, gens: &R1CSGens<G>) -> Commitment<G> {
-    CE::<G>::commit(&gens.gens, &self.W)
+  pub fn commit(&self, ck: &CommitmentKey<G>) -> Commitment<G> {
+    CE::<G>::commit(ck, &self.W)
   }
 }
 
@@ -523,11 +519,8 @@ impl<G: Group> RelaxedR1CSWitness<G> {
   }
 
   /// Commits to the witness using the supplied generators
-  pub fn commit(&self, gens: &R1CSGens<G>) -> (Commitment<G>, Commitment<G>) {
-    (
-      CE::<G>::commit(&gens.gens, &self.W),
-      CE::<G>::commit(&gens.gens, &self.E),
-    )
+  pub fn commit(&self, ck: &CommitmentKey<G>) -> (Commitment<G>, Commitment<G>) {
+    (CE::<G>::commit(ck, &self.W), CE::<G>::commit(ck, &self.E))
   }
 
   /// Folds an incoming R1CSWitness into the current one
@@ -577,7 +570,7 @@ impl<G: Group> RelaxedR1CSWitness<G> {
 
 impl<G: Group> RelaxedR1CSInstance<G> {
   /// Produces a default RelaxedR1CSInstance given R1CSGens and R1CSShape
-  pub fn default(_gens: &R1CSGens<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> RelaxedR1CSInstance<G> {
+  pub fn default(_ck: &CommitmentKey<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> RelaxedR1CSInstance<G> {
     let (comm_W, comm_E) = (Commitment::<G>::default(), Commitment::<G>::default());
     RelaxedR1CSInstance {
       comm_W,
@@ -589,11 +582,11 @@ impl<G: Group> RelaxedR1CSInstance<G> {
 
   /// Initializes a new RelaxedR1CSInstance from an R1CSInstance
   pub fn from_r1cs_instance(
-    gens: &R1CSGens<G>,
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     S: &R1CSShape<G>,
     instance: &R1CSInstance<G>,
   ) -> RelaxedR1CSInstance<G> {
-    let mut r_instance = RelaxedR1CSInstance::default(gens, S);
+    let mut r_instance = RelaxedR1CSInstance::default(ck, S);
     r_instance.comm_W = instance.comm_W;
     r_instance.u = G::Scalar::one();
     r_instance.X = instance.X.clone();
diff --git a/src/spartan/mod.rs b/src/spartan/mod.rs
index 9eb50d50..8089c366 100644
--- a/src/spartan/mod.rs
+++ b/src/spartan/mod.rs
@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@ mod sumcheck;
 
 use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
-  r1cs::{R1CSGens, R1CSShape, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness},
+  r1cs::{R1CSShape, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness},
   traits::{
-    evaluation::EvaluationEngineTrait,
-    snark::{ProverKeyTrait, RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait, VerifierKeyTrait},
-    AppendToTranscriptTrait, ChallengeTrait, Group, TranscriptEngineTrait,
+    evaluation::EvaluationEngineTrait, snark::RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait, AppendToTranscriptTrait,
+    ChallengeTrait, Group, TranscriptEngineTrait,
   },
+  CommitmentKey,
 };
 use ff::Field;
 use itertools::concat;
@@ -23,38 +23,18 @@ use sumcheck::SumcheckProof;
 #[derive(Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(bound = "")]
 pub struct ProverKey<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> {
-  gens: EE::EvaluationGens,
+  pk_ee: EE::ProverKey,
   S: R1CSShape<G>,
 }
 
-impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> ProverKeyTrait<G> for ProverKey<G, EE> {
-  fn new(gens: &R1CSGens<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> Self {
-    ProverKey {
-      gens: EE::setup(&gens.gens),
-      S: S.clone(),
-    }
-  }
-}
-
 /// A type that represents the verifier's key
 #[derive(Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(bound = "")]
 pub struct VerifierKey<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> {
-  gens: EE::EvaluationGens,
+  vk_ee: EE::VerifierKey,
   S: R1CSShape<G>,
 }
 
-impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> VerifierKeyTrait<G>
-  for VerifierKey<G, EE>
-{
-  fn new(gens: &R1CSGens<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> Self {
-    VerifierKey {
-      gens: EE::setup(&gens.gens),
-      S: S.clone(),
-    }
-  }
-}
-
 /// A succinct proof of knowledge of a witness to a relaxed R1CS instance
 /// The proof is produced using Spartan's combination of the sum-check and
 /// the commitment to a vector viewed as a polynomial commitment
@@ -78,12 +58,22 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
   type ProverKey = ProverKey<G, EE>;
   type VerifierKey = VerifierKey<G, EE>;
 
+  fn setup(ck: &CommitmentKey<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> (Self::ProverKey, Self::VerifierKey) {
+    let (pk_ee, vk_ee) = EE::setup(ck);
+    let pk = ProverKey { pk_ee, S: S.pad() };
+    let vk = VerifierKey { vk_ee, S: S.pad() };
+
+    (pk, vk)
+  }
+
   /// produces a succinct proof of satisfiability of a RelaxedR1CS instance
   fn prove(
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     pk: &Self::ProverKey,
     U: &RelaxedR1CSInstance<G>,
     W: &RelaxedR1CSWitness<G>,
   ) -> Result<Self, NovaError> {
+    let W = W.pad(&pk.S); // pad the witness
     let mut transcript = G::TE::new(b"RelaxedR1CSSNARK");
 
     // sanity check that R1CSShape has certain size characteristics
@@ -275,7 +265,7 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
       .collect::<Vec<G::Scalar>>();
     let eval = eval_E_prime + gamma * eval_W_prime;
 
-    let eval_arg = EE::prove(&pk.gens, &mut transcript, &comm, &poly, &r_z, &eval)?;
+    let eval_arg = EE::prove(ck, &pk.pk_ee, &mut transcript, &comm, &poly, &r_z, &eval)?;
 
     Ok(RelaxedR1CSSNARK {
       sc_proof_outer,
@@ -428,7 +418,7 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
 
     // verify eval_W and eval_E
     EE::verify(
-      &vk.gens,
+      &vk.vk_ee,
       &mut transcript,
       &comm,
       &r_z,
diff --git a/src/traits/commitment.rs b/src/traits/commitment.rs
index 94b63787..e1057042 100644
--- a/src/traits/commitment.rs
+++ b/src/traits/commitment.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 /// This trait defines the behavior of commitment key
 #[allow(clippy::len_without_is_empty)]
-pub trait CommitmentGensTrait<G: Group>:
+pub trait CommitmentKeyTrait<G: Group>:
   Clone + Debug + Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>
 {
   /// Holds the type of the commitment that can be produced
@@ -99,11 +99,11 @@ pub trait CommitmentEngineTrait<G: Group>:
   Clone + Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>
 {
   /// Holds the type of the commitment key
-  type CommitmentGens: CommitmentGensTrait<G, Commitment = Self::Commitment>;
+  type CommitmentKey: CommitmentKeyTrait<G, Commitment = Self::Commitment>;
 
   /// Holds the type of the commitment
   type Commitment: CommitmentTrait<G>;
 
   /// Commits to the provided vector using the provided generators
-  fn commit(gens: &Self::CommitmentGens, v: &[G::Scalar]) -> Self::Commitment;
+  fn commit(ck: &Self::CommitmentKey, v: &[G::Scalar]) -> Self::Commitment;
 }
diff --git a/src/traits/evaluation.rs b/src/traits/evaluation.rs
index 1840462a..3f1fba61 100644
--- a/src/traits/evaluation.rs
+++ b/src/traits/evaluation.rs
@@ -14,18 +14,24 @@ pub trait EvaluationEngineTrait<G: Group>:
   /// A type that holds the associated commitment engine
   type CE: CommitmentEngineTrait<G>;
 
-  /// A type that holds generators
-  type EvaluationGens: Clone + Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
+  /// A type that holds the prover key
+  type ProverKey: Clone + Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
+
+  /// A type that holds the verifier key
+  type VerifierKey: Clone + Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
 
   /// A type that holds the evaluation argument
   type EvaluationArgument: Clone + Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
 
   /// A method to perform any additional setup needed to produce proofs of evaluations
-  fn setup(gens: &<Self::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::CommitmentGens) -> Self::EvaluationGens;
+  fn setup(
+    ck: &<Self::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::CommitmentKey,
+  ) -> (Self::ProverKey, Self::VerifierKey);
 
   /// A method to prove the evaluation of a multilinear polynomial
   fn prove(
-    gens: &Self::EvaluationGens,
+    ck: &<Self::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::CommitmentKey,
+    pk: &Self::ProverKey,
     transcript: &mut G::TE,
     comm: &<Self::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::Commitment,
     poly: &[G::Scalar],
@@ -35,7 +41,7 @@ pub trait EvaluationEngineTrait<G: Group>:
 
   /// A method to verify the purported evaluation of a multilinear polynomials
   fn verify(
-    gens: &Self::EvaluationGens,
+    vk: &Self::VerifierKey,
     transcript: &mut G::TE,
     comm: &<Self::CE as CommitmentEngineTrait<G>>::Commitment,
     point: &[G::Scalar],
diff --git a/src/traits/snark.rs b/src/traits/snark.rs
index ff5d7c7b..20289f00 100644
--- a/src/traits/snark.rs
+++ b/src/traits/snark.rs
@@ -1,46 +1,29 @@
 //! This module defines a collection of traits that define the behavior of a zkSNARK for RelaxedR1CS
 use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
-  r1cs::{R1CSGens, R1CSShape, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness},
+  r1cs::{R1CSShape, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness},
   traits::Group,
+  CommitmentKey,
 };
 
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-/// A trait that defines the behavior of a zkSNARK's prover key
-pub trait ProverKeyTrait<G: Group>: Send + Sync {
-  /// Produces a new prover's key
-  fn new(gens: &R1CSGens<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> Self;
-}
-
-/// A trait that defines the behavior of a zkSNARK's verifier key
-pub trait VerifierKeyTrait<G: Group>: Send + Sync {
-  /// Produces a new verifier's key
-  fn new(gens: &R1CSGens<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> Self;
-}
-
 /// A trait that defines the behavior of a zkSNARK
 pub trait RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G: Group>:
   Sized + Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>
 {
   /// A type that represents the prover's key
-  type ProverKey: ProverKeyTrait<G> + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
+  type ProverKey: Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
 
   /// A type that represents the verifier's key
-  type VerifierKey: VerifierKeyTrait<G> + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
-
-  /// Produces a prover key
-  fn prover_key(gens: &R1CSGens<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> Self::ProverKey {
-    Self::ProverKey::new(gens, S)
-  }
+  type VerifierKey: Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
 
-  /// Produces a verifier key
-  fn verifier_key(gens: &R1CSGens<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> Self::VerifierKey {
-    Self::VerifierKey::new(gens, S)
-  }
+  /// Produces the keys for the prover and the verifier
+  fn setup(ck: &CommitmentKey<G>, S: &R1CSShape<G>) -> (Self::ProverKey, Self::VerifierKey);
 
   /// Produces a new SNARK for a relaxed R1CS
   fn prove(
+    ck: &CommitmentKey<G>,
     pk: &Self::ProverKey,
     U: &RelaxedR1CSInstance<G>,
     W: &RelaxedR1CSWitness<G>,