Multi-Client Workflow

Maximize your Nostr experience with multiple clients. Desktop + mobile workflows, syncing strategies, and best practices for power users.

Why Multiple Clients? (2 minutes)

The Power of Choice

Nostr’s superpower is that your identity works everywhere. Smart users take advantage of this by using multiple clients for different purposes.

Common Use Cases

Mobile + Desktop:

• Phone (Damus/Amethyst): Quick checks, on-the-go posting, notifications
• Desktop (Iris/Snort): Long-form writing, heavy browsing, work hours

Public + Private:

• Public client: Professional identity, public posts
• Private client: Personal identity, different circles

Different Features:

• Client A: Great for media
• Client B: Better for DMs
• Client C: Best for discovery

Backup & Redundancy:

• If one client breaks, you have alternatives
• Test new features safely
• Compare interfaces

Benefits

✅ Optimization

• Use best tool for each task
• Different UIs for different contexts
• Feature-specific advantages

✅ Flexibility

• Not locked into one interface
• Easy to switch if issues arise
• Experiment freely

✅ Productivity

• Desktop for writing
• Mobile for consuming
• Separate contexts = better focus

Syncing Strategy (3 minutes)

What Syncs Automatically

Universal (works across all clients):

• ✓ Your identity (npub)
• ✓ Posts you publish
• ✓ Follows list
• ✓ Profile information
• ✓ Reactions (likes, reposts)
• ✓ DMs (if properly encrypted)

What Doesn’t Sync

Client-specific:

• ✗ App settings (themes, fonts)
• ✗ Notification preferences
• ✗ Mute/block lists (sometimes)
• ✗ Draft posts
• ✗ Local bookmarks
• ✗ Custom feeds/algorithms
• ✗ App-specific data

The Syncing Process

How it works:

1. You post from Client A
2. Client A sends to relays
3. Client B connects to same relays
4. Client B sees your post
5. Everything stays in sync

Time delay:

• Usually instant to a few seconds
• Depends on relay speed
• Client refresh rate varies

Workarounds for Non-Syncing Data

Settings:

• Manually configure each client
• Document your preferences
• Use similar settings for consistency

Mutes/Blocks:

• Some clients export/import lists
• NIP-51 standardizing this
• May need manual sync for now

Drafts:

• Use external notes app
• Copy-paste between clients
• Or just post immediately

Bookmarks:

• Use NIP-51 lists (if supported)
• External bookmarking tools
• Nostr-based bookmarking services

Desktop + Mobile (3 minutes)

Recommended Pairings

iOS User:

• Mobile: Damus (clean, fast)
• Desktop: Iris (web) or Snort (web)
• Why: Damus is iOS-optimized, web clients work everywhere

Android User:

• Mobile: Amethyst (feature-rich)
• Desktop: Iris (web) or Coracle (web)
• Why: Amethyst is Android’s best, pair with fast web clients

Cross-Platform:

• Mobile: Primal (iOS + Android)
• Desktop: Same Primal account (web)
• Why: Unified experience across devices

Workflow Examples

Content Creator:

• Draft on desktop (Iris) - Write, edit, format
• Post from desktop - Hit publish
• Check engagement on mobile (Damus) - Replies, zaps
• Quick replies on mobile - While out and about

Community Manager:

• Monitor on mobile (Amethyst) - Notifications, alerts
• Deep engagement on desktop (Snort) - Long replies, threads
• DMs on mobile - Quick conversations
• Event planning on desktop - Detailed posts

Casual User:

• Browse on mobile (any) - During downtime
• Post from either - Whatever’s convenient
• No strict workflow - Just use what feels right

Keeping Track

Notifications:

• Enable on mobile for urgent stuff
• Disable on desktop if distracting
• Or enable both, mute strategically

Read State:

• Nostr doesn’t track “read” status
• Your client does locally
• May see same posts as “new” on different clients
• This is normal, not a bug

Client-Specific Features (2 minutes)

Unique Features by Client

Damus (iOS):

• Best iOS experience
• Smooth animations
• Great notifications
• Apple ecosystem integration

Amethyst (Android):

• Most customizable
• Advanced relay controls
• Great for power users
• Feature-rich

Iris (Web):

• Works everywhere
• Fast and minimal
• Good for desktop
• Simple interface

Primal (All platforms):

• Beautiful design
• Easy discovery
• Unified experience
• Beginner-friendly

Snort (Web):

• Keyboard shortcuts
• Fast performance
• Developer-friendly
• Minimal UI

Coracle (Web):

• Matrix integration
• Unique features
• Good performance
• Active development

Choosing Based on Task

Best for posting:

• Desktop web clients (bigger screen, easier typing)
• Mobile for quick thoughts

Best for reading:

• Mobile (convenience)
• Desktop (better for long content)

Best for media:

• Clients with good image support
• Check which handles photos/videos well

Best for DMs:

• Mobile (always available)
• Desktop (better for long conversations)

Backup & Migration (2 minutes)

Moving Between Clients

Easy (automatic):

1. Install new client
2. Import your nsec
3. Wait for sync (follows, profile)
4. Start using

What transfers:

• Identity
• Follows list
• Profile info
• Published posts

What doesn’t:

• Settings
• Drafts
• Local data

Export/Import When Available

Some clients support:

• Follow lists export (NIP-02)
• Mute lists export (NIP-51)
• Settings export (proprietary)

How to:

1. Go to Settings → Export
2. Save file
3. Import in new client
4. Verify data transferred

Testing New Clients

Safe approach:

1. Create test keys first
2. Try client with test account
3. If you like it, import real keys
4. Keep old client as backup

Don’t:

• Import nsec into sketchy clients
• Test with your main identity
• Rush the migration

Advanced Workflows [ADVANCED]

Professional Setup

Content Creator:

• Planning: Notion/external tool
• Writing: Desktop client (full screen)
• Scheduling: If client supports
• Analytics: Third-party tools
• Engagement: Mobile throughout day

Developer:

• Testing: Multiple clients simultaneously
• Debugging: Developer tools
• Documentation: Long-form platforms
• Community: Mix of clients

Community Manager:

• Monitoring: Mobile always-on
• Response: Desktop for detailed replies
• Events: Specialized clients
• Analytics: Third-party tools

Automation [ADVANCED]

Tools:

• Nostr bots
• Cross-posting services
• Scheduling tools
• Analytics platforms

Warning:

• Don’t over-automate
• Authenticity matters
• Use sparingly

Troubleshooting Multi-Client Issues

Out of Sync

Posts not showing:

• Different relay connections
• Wait a few minutes
• Pull to refresh
• Check relay status

Follows different:

• One client not fully synced
• Different relay sets
• Wait and refresh

Notification Overload

Too many alerts:

• Disable on less-used clients
• Keep only mobile notifications
• Use Do Not Disturb strategically

Confusion

Lost track:

• Pick primary and secondary
• Use consistent usernames
• Document your setup

Quick Reference

Syncing:

• ✓ Posts, follows, profile (automatic)
• ✗ Settings, drafts (manual)

Recommended Pairings:

• iOS: Damus + Iris web
• Android: Amethyst + Coracle web
• Cross-platform: Primal everywhere

Best Practices:

• Use different clients for different tasks
• Don’t overthink syncing
• Pick primary + secondary
• Backup your keys (always!)

Remember: Multiple clients = flexibility. Use it to your advantage!

Test Your Multi-Client Knowledge

Ready to optimize your workflow across multiple clients?