How to Use Nostr
when you're a normie lost in a world of tech
updated on june 30th
Disclaimer, can skip
so you read about nostr protocol and want to get in? this guide is "this is how you print a document from your computer" level. if you want a more technical and thorough approach, you'll find everything online. there are resources at the bottom of the page as well.
this guide helps people who are not into internet things. it's sometimes oversimplified for the sake of understanding and going through the onboarding (id+signer+wallet). there are dozens of solutions out there, and the ecosystem grows everyday. this guide suggests the most ux friendly option, but offer alternatives as well.
ok we straight let's do this!
create an identity
go on and create an account. don't overthink it, BUT write down your info somewhere safe!
choices
now you should have written somewhere safe the following information, more if you used a signer but we'll get back to that later.
private key
nsec1sg6plzptd64u62a878hep2kev88swjh3tw00gjsfl8f237lmu63q0uf63m
your secret key is your password. the root password to your identity. it is generated randomly and no one has the power to retrieve it if lost. don't loose it.
public key
npub158sz503zkffarpnhl770jmwu6erzgzywr2x9fa6cql834ft9hr2q4u4wck
your public key is your identity, much like the serial number on your national identity documents. we'll talk about that later on.
that's it!
welcome to nostr!
now that you have your nsec, you can connect to any app (client) of your choice! go ahead and try one you like from the appstore!
whatever the client, you'll have someting like this:
nostr only asks for your private key. remember it's your password. no need for npub. welcome to web3 baby.
signing
so you tried posting, following, liking, commenting or whatever and got this screen.
this is what happens behind the hood (promise it's the only nerd part):
you do something on nostr
client
app
signs
nostr protocol
network
that's how nostr works. whenever you do something on a nostr, the client signs your note into the network. it's basically pushing a button, but longer.
it's a necessary burden for censorship resistance and privacy in socials.
it's annoying BUT the more your use nostr the less you see these popups. also increasing the security of your account. wanna know more? keep scrolling!
GET a SIGNER, and a wallet
when using nostr you have two choices:
nsec login
login using your private key nsec and allow apps to sign for you.
it's convenient but it's not safe.
SIGNER
use a signer and let it manage the signatures for you.
it's secure, easy to use and you'll come to love it. it's also a wallet.
now that you're convinced go on and set it up. don't overthink it just write down your info somewhere safe!
choices
non-sense informationwise, you should have something like that now:
SIGNER
depending on the solution, you might not have all the information, it's fine, the most important ones are at the top
lightnin account
joe@signer.com
this is two things.
1/ it'. better this than your npub to share your profile or research someone. keep in mind they are fleeting, you can change signers and handles as you wish, only your nsec matters.
2/ it's your wallet. mic drop. more on that later
signer password
*************
it's your daily password. every now and then your signer will ask you to login. this is what it wants.
secure key
derive crisp such wire peace crowd surface fortune merge small before few
it's your web3 secret question. your signer might make you create this recovery phrase in case you loose your signer password.
signer account
email address joe@domain.com
password ********
alby makes you create a web2 account, maybe others do too. idk why they do that.
now why did you do that and what does it do?
remember this?
you do something on nostr
client
app
signs
nostr protocol
network
now that's what happens
you do something on nostr
client
app
signer
middleman
signs
nostr protocol
network
and what it means and why it matters is that you won't log into apps with your nsec and multiply the risks of your nsec ending up in wrong hands. instead you will get the more secure signer to sign the stuff you do on nostr. it also gives you more transparency and ease of use. it's just better. you'll come to love it. oh and it's a wallet, let's talk about that now
WIP WIP WIP WIP WIP WIP WIP WIP WIP WIP WIP WIP
everyday life
SATS, ZAPS, care
additional ressources - footer?
the nostr community is productive, and i created this page thanks to the documentation other contributors made. here's a list of things i find useful, there's so much more out there for the grabbing.
nostr to web2 vocab
here's a VERY SIMPLISCTIC translation of every nostr obscur words you've heard, into web2 terms you probably know better.
npub
identity
lightning address
bitcoin wallet & socials handle
nsec
password
signer
press enter
client
app
note
everything you do
zap
tip
relay
server