Earthly for Windows is a free, open-source collaborative map editor built on Nostr, made for people who want to turn local knowledge into shared geographic datasets. It suits neighborhood groups, field observers, hobby cartographers and anyone who prefers their data on an open network instead of a single platform. The program is released under the MIT license and is available as a Windows build or installer.
Earthly lets you draw and publish geographic data, group it with other contributors, and discuss places through comments tied to specific shapes on the map. You can also share live observations as they happen. Collaboration can stay private inside encrypted groups or happen locally through nearby field sessions, which is useful when the internet is unreliable. The latest release is v0.1.22, and the code was last updated on 2026-10-23.
What Nostr Means for a Map Editor
Nostr is an open protocol in which messages and data are sent through independent servers called relays. No single company controls the network, and users hold their own cryptographic keys to prove who they are. For a mapping tool, this means a dataset you publish is not tied to one hosting service.
The practical effect is portability. A map contribution published through Earthly can be read by any compatible Nostr client that subscribes to the same relays, and you can move between clients without losing your identity. Earthly builds its map features on top of this foundation rather than inventing its own storage.
The trade-off is responsibility. Because relays are independent, availability depends on which relays you use, and content published to a public relay is generally visible to anyone. Understanding this before you start a project helps you decide which parts of your work belong in public and which belong in a private group.
How Private and Nearby Collaboration Differ
Earthly offers two ways to work together that look similar on the surface but serve different needs. Private MLS groups are about closed membership: a defined set of people shares a map and the messages around it, and outsiders cannot read the exchange. Nearby field sessions are about proximity: people in the same physical area join a shared editing space without relying on a stable network.
Choosing between them starts with asking who should see the work and when. A group mapping a private property may want an MLS group, while a crew surveying a park may prefer a nearby session that syncs when everyone is back online. Some projects use both, starting in the field and then moving the verified results into a closed group.
Both modes share the same map and editing projection, so the data model stays consistent. What changes is how messages are delivered and who is trusted to see them. Keeping that distinction clear helps you avoid accidentally publishing material that was meant only for a small team.
Key features
Geometry-Aware Map Editor
Publishing to the Nostr Network
Private MLS Groups
Nearby Field Sessions
Native App and Offline Mode
AI Chat and Tool Execution
Supported coins
Earthly's documentation names Nostr as its network. Rather than a currency or blockchain, Nostr serves as the transport for map datasets, comments and group messages, with data passing through relays that you can select. Because Earthly is a mapping tool and not a wallet or trading platform, it does not hold or move funds.
How to install Earthly on Windows
- 1
Choose the Right Download
Open the official website or the GitHub Releases page for Earthly and look for the Windows build or installer for the latest release, v0.1.22. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, since copies on other sites may be altered.
- 2
Verify the File
If the release lists a SHA-256 checksum, open PowerShell and run Get-FileHash on the downloaded file, then compare the output with the published value. If a signature is provided, verify it as well before running the installer. A mismatch means the file should be deleted and downloaded again.
- 3
Run the Installer
Double-click the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Keep the default install location unless you have a specific reason to change it. If Windows SmartScreen warns about an unrecognized publisher, check that the file came from the steps above before continuing.
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Set Up Your Nostr Identity
On first launch, the program asks you to create or import a Nostr identity. Store your private key in a password manager or other secure location, and never paste it into a website that asks for it. Losing the key means losing access to the identity it controls.
How to use Earthly
Earthly is easiest to learn by starting with a small, low-stakes map, such as a few points in your own street. Once you are comfortable with the editor, you can add collaborators and experiment with groups.
- Open Earthly and sign in with your Nostr identity.
- Create a new map or dataset and give it a clear name that describes its subject and area.
- Use the drawing tools to place points, lines or areas, then check each shape's position before saving.
- Add comments to individual features so the discussion stays attached to the geometry it describes.
- Create a group if you want to collaborate privately, and invite members using their Nostr identities.
- Start a nearby session when you are working in the same location without a reliable connection.
- Review the dataset, then publish it to share with the wider Nostr network, or keep it inside a private group.
Work in small batches and publish after reviewing, since public Nostr events are difficult to retract from every relay that copied them.
Pros & cons
- Free and released under the MIT license, so the source code is open to inspection
- Built on the open Nostr protocol rather than a closed platform
- Supports private encrypted groups as well as public publishing
- Nearby sessions and an offline mode suit weak-signal areas
- Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Docker and the web
- Comments are attached to map geometry, keeping discussions precise
- Built around Nostr, so newcomers must learn concepts such as keys and relays
- Availability and visibility depend on which relays you choose
- Version numbering at v0.1.x suggests the project is still early in its development
- Its focus is geographic mapping, so it is not a general social client
Is Earthly safe?
Earthly is not a wallet, but it does handle your Nostr identity, which is controlled by a private key. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and confirm the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the installer. Never enter your private key or any seed phrase on a third-party website, in a chat or in an email, since anyone who obtains it can act as you on Nostr.
Because the program is open source, you can review the code on GitHub, and the latest code update is dated 2026-10-23. Still, the source does not guarantee that a given build matches the repository, which is why checking the file matters. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, and keep your system and antivirus up to date.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/moogmodular/earthly. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Earthly differs from most Nostr software by focusing on geography. Gossip and Amethyst are general-purpose clients built around notes and feeds, while Coop centers on private messages. Earthly instead gives you a map editor whose datasets, comments and groups all attach to places.
Command-line tools such as NAK and Nostr Commander RS suit users who script their work and do not need a visual interface. Vega offers a cross-platform desktop client for general use, and Blockcore Notes works as a progressive web app for following people in circles. Nostr VPN is aimed at networking rather than content. If your goal is mapping, Earthly is the closest fit; for everyday social reading, a general client may suit you better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v0.1.22
- Last update
- 23 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/moogmodular/earthly
Frequently asked questions
Earthly for Windows is a collaborative map editor for drawing geographic datasets and sharing them on the Nostr network. People use it to record local places, discuss features through comments and gather field observations. It also supports private groups for teams that want their mapping work kept closed.
Yes, Earthly is free and released under the MIT license. Its source code is available on GitHub, so you can read how it works and build it yourself if you choose. There are no listed fees for the program itself.
Earthly includes an offline system and nearby field sessions, so it can be used when the connection is weak or missing. Changes made offline are synced once you reconnect. This makes it practical for outdoor surveys and remote areas where coverage is unreliable.
Earthly is safe to install when you get the file from the official website or the GitHub Releases page and verify its SHA-256 checksum or signature. Never share your private Nostr key with any website or person. Keeping Windows and your security software updated adds further protection.
Nostr is an open protocol where data is passed between independent relays, and you prove your identity with a cryptographic key. Earthly uses Nostr to store and share maps, so you need a Nostr identity to publish and collaborate. You can create one when you first launch the program.
Private groups use Messaging Layer Security, an open standard for encrypted group communication. Only members of the group can read the discussion and see the shared map inside it. Public publishing is a separate action, so nothing in a private group appears on the open network unless you choose to share it.
No, Earthly is a map editor and does not mine cryptocurrency. Its use is limited to drawing, publishing and discussing geographic data over Nostr. If you are looking for mining software, you will need a different program designed specifically for that purpose.
Verdict
Earthly for Windows suits people who want to build shared maps on an open network, including neighborhood groups, field teams and local history volunteers. Its MIT license, free price and private and offline modes give it an edge over a general Nostr client when geography is the focus. It is less suitable for casual social reading or for anyone uncomfortable learning Nostr basics. Try it with a small map first, then decide whether a shared geographic workflow fits your needs.