Quickstart: Launch in 5 Minutes

Your fast track to Nostr. Check your keys, pick a client, and launch. No fluff, just action.

5 minutes Beginner

Ready to Launch?

Three quick steps from zero to your first post. Let’s get you on Nostr.

Step 1: Prerequisites Check

Before we launch, do you have your Nostr keys ready?

Yes, I have my keys

Generate keys first (2 min)

You’ll need your npub (public key) and nsec (private key) to continue.

Step 2: Choose Your Client

Nostr has dozens of clients—think of them like email apps. Pick one to start.

Not sure yet? Try clients in your browser firstSandstr lets you click through Damus, Amethyst, Primal and more — no keys, no install, nothing real. Come back when one feels right.

Quick Pick by Device

Know what you want? Choose your platform:

Platform	Best For Beginners	Alternative
iPhone/iPad	Damus →	Primal
Android	Amethyst →	Primal
Web/Desktop	Primal →	Iris

Step 3: Launch Checklist

One last check before you go live:

Safety Check

I’ve saved my keys in 3+ secure places

I understand: lose my nsec (private key) = lose my account forever

You’re Ready! 🚀

Open your chosen client and log in. How you log in matters more than most guides admit.

On a phone, paste your nsec into the app once. A mobile app is a sandbox — only that app can read what you paste into it.

In a web browser, do not paste your nsec into the website. Install a signer extension instead — Alby, nos2x or Nostore on Safari. Your key lives in the extension; the website asks the extension to sign each action and never sees the key itself. Every serious web client supports this (it is called NIP-07), and it turns “one bad website costs you your identity” into “one bad website gets nothing.”

If you would rather keep your key off your devices entirely, a remote signer such as nsec.app (NIP-46) holds it and approves actions from a separate app.

A website that asks for your nsec is a red flag

Once a site has your nsec, it has your identity permanently — you cannot rotate a Nostr key or revoke access. There is no password reset and no support desk.

Legitimate web clients ask you to connect a signer. If a site asks you to type or paste your private key directly into a form, close the tab.

If you picked a client above, click to open it:

Open Primal

Or open your chosen client from Step 2

Pro Tips for Your First Day

Once you’re in, do these to maximize your experience:

👥

Fill Your Feed First

An empty feed is the #1 reason people quit. Follow 50+ curated accounts instantly.

Find People to Follow

📚

Keep Learning

Master Nostr with our step-by-step guides. From zaps to privacy—we’ve got you covered.

Explore All Guides

Welcome to Nostr! The decentralized social revolution starts with you. 🎉

Your Keys, Your Identity

Finding Your Community on Nostr

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Spotted a typo or something unclear? Edit this guide on GitHub.