Glasnostr is a free, open source command-line tool for people who want their Nostr public key to start with a recognizable prefix. It is aimed at developers, hobbyists and Nostr users who are comfortable working in a terminal and want a memorable npub instead of a random string.
The program searches for a key pair whose public key, encoded as an npub, begins with the text you specify. Because each extra character multiplies the search effort, the tool is best suited to short, simple prefixes. The project is written in Go and is distributed as a single executable, so there is no installer to run.
Before you rely on it for a real identity, note that the project's last code update was in March 2023 and the latest release is v0.0.3. It is not actively maintained, so treat it as a niche utility and check the repository for recent activity.
What Is a Nostr npub and Why Customize It?
Nostr identities are based on a public key, which is usually shared in a human-readable form called an npub. The string looks random: a long sequence of letters and numbers beginning with the same few characters for every user, followed by unpredictable text.
Some people like a recognizable beginning because it helps others verify an account quickly or makes a profile easier to remember. A vanity prefix is a purely cosmetic choice. It does not make an account more secure or more trusted by itself, and anyone can still hold a key pair without publicizing it.
It is worth remembering that the prefix you see in an npub is not a promise of authenticity. Others can easily copy a name-like prefix, so always confirm a contact's identity through the full key or another trusted channel.
Who Glasnostr Is For
The tool fits best with technically comfortable users. Typical readers include Nostr developers testing clients, people experimenting with decentralized identity, and hobbyists who enjoy working with command-line utilities. If you have never opened a terminal, expect a learning curve.
Non-technical users who want a custom npub may be better served by a Nostr client that offers profile tools or a graphical generator, if one is available. Glasnostr is most useful when you want direct control over the process and understand what it is doing.
Because the project is no longer actively developed, it is more appropriate for experimentation than for critical production use. Treat it as a learning tool or a one-off utility.
How Vanity Key Search Works in Practice
A vanity key search is a brute-force process. The program repeatedly generates random key pairs and checks whether the encoded public key begins with your chosen prefix. Each additional character in the prefix makes the expected number of attempts grow sharply, so a four-character prefix can take far longer than a two-character one.
The speed of the search depends on your processor and the length of the prefix. Users typically start with a very short prefix to gauge how long the search takes on their hardware, then decide whether a longer one is worth the time. Plan for the search to run on your own machine for as long as it needs.
The tool does not improve your odds through any shortcut. Each attempt is independent, so the process is essentially a lottery, and results cannot be predicted in advance.
Is Glasnostr Still Worth Using?
Software that has not been updated for a long time can still work, but it may not keep pace with changes in the Nostr protocol, Go toolchains or operating systems. The last code update in the repository dates to March 2023, and the most recent release is v0.0.3.
This does not automatically make the tool unsafe, but it does mean you should review the source code before running it, especially if you plan to use the generated keys for anything important. Reading the Go code on GitHub is a practical way to confirm that nothing unexpected happens during key generation.
For long-term identity needs, consider using a key generation method that is actively maintained by a larger community, and keep your private key in a password manager or hardware-backed storage.
Key features
Vanity prefix search
Command-line operation
Built in Go
Open source code
Cross-platform availability
Free to use
Supported coins
Glasnostr is built around the Nostr protocol. Its purpose is to generate Nostr key pairs with a chosen prefix in the npub, the bech32-encoded form of the public key. It does not handle other blockchains, tokens or cryptocurrency networks.
How to install Glasnostr on Windows
- 1
Download the program
Get the executable from the official GitHub repository at github.com/eyelight/glasnostr, using the Releases page for the v0.0.3 build. Avoid third-party download sites, because modified copies of crypto tools are a common source of malware.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the release page. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash followed by the file path. If the checksum does not match, do not run the file.
- 3
Place the file in your PATH
Move the executable into a folder listed in your system PATH so you can run it from any directory. On Windows, a common choice is a dedicated folder such as C:\Tools that you then add to the PATH environment variable through System Properties.
-
Open a terminal and test
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type the program name with the help flag to confirm it runs. If Windows blocks the file, check the file properties for an unblock option before trying again.
How to use Glasnostr
Glasnostr is operated from the command line, so you will run it by typing commands in a terminal window. The general workflow is to choose a prefix, start the search and wait for a matching key to appear. Exact flags can change between releases, so check the built-in help output for the version you installed.
The basic steps are:
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell in a folder you can easily find.
- Run the program with its help option to review available arguments.
- Start with a short prefix, such as two characters, to measure how long the search takes on your computer.
- Let the program run until it finds a match, then copy the output carefully.
- Store the generated private key in a password manager or other secure location immediately.
- Test the new identity in a Nostr client before you use it publicly.
- Stop the program if the search takes too long and try a shorter prefix instead.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be inspected
- Simple, focused purpose with no unnecessary features
- Single executable that is easy to move and run
- Works on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Useful for personalizing a Nostr npub
- Not actively maintained; the last update was in March 2023
- Command-line only, with no graphical interface
- Search time grows quickly with longer prefixes
- Cosmetic prefixes do not add security or verification
- Limited documentation for non-developers
Is Glasnostr safe?
Glasnostr generates private keys, so treat it with the same caution you would apply to any wallet-style tool. Download it only from the official GitHub repository and check the SHA-256 checksum against the release page before running the file. Do not use a copy obtained from a forum, chat channel or unfamiliar website, because a modified executable could capture the keys it creates.
Antivirus software may flag small, unsigned command-line utilities that generate keys. Investigate any warning rather than ignoring it, and never disable your protection entirely to get the program running. Review the source code if you are unsure.
Once a key is generated, store the private key securely and never enter it on a website that asks for it. Anyone who obtains that key controls the account.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/eyelight/glasnostr. 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
Glasnostr sits in a narrow niche: it does one thing, creating Nostr keys with a chosen prefix. Rana is also described as a Nostr public key mining tool, so it covers similar ground and is worth comparing if you want an alternative with a different codebase or workflow. Reviewing each project's repository activity and documentation will help you decide which fits your needs.
The other programs in this catalog are mostly general-purpose cryptocurrency miners, such as GMiner, NBMiner, T-Rex Miner, PhoenixMiner, Rigel and WildRig Multi. These target GPU mining on proof-of-work networks and are not designed for generating Nostr identities. Chia Blockchain is a full blockchain implementation rather than a key tool. If your goal is a custom npub, Glasnostr and Rana are the more relevant choices.
The difference comes down to purpose: Glasnostr is a focused prefix generator, while the others serve broader mining or blockchain roles.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.0.3
- Last update
- 18 Mar 2023
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/eyelight/glasnostr
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Glasnostr is free and open source, and there is no paid version mentioned in its project listing. You can download the code from GitHub and run it on your own computer without any license fee. Your only cost is the electricity and time the search consumes.
The project lists Windows among its supported platforms, although the documentation mentions Windows in general terms. Run it from Command Prompt or PowerShell after placing the executable in a folder in your PATH. Verify the file checksum before you run it for the first time.
Glasnostr searches for a Nostr key pair whose npub begins with a prefix you choose. It repeatedly generates candidate keys and stops when one matches. The result is a private key and a public key, which you then use in a Nostr client. It does not connect to any network or handle money.
It can be, provided you download it from the official GitHub repository and verify the SHA-256 checksum. Because it creates private keys, avoid unofficial copies and review the source code if possible. The project has not had a code update since March 2023, so extra caution is sensible.
Search time depends on your processor and the length of the prefix. Each extra character makes the search dramatically longer, so short prefixes finish quickly while longer ones may take far more time. Test with a short prefix first to estimate how long a longer one would need.
A custom prefix does not change how secure your key is. The risk lies in your private key being exposed. Keep it in a password manager, never share it, and avoid entering it on untrusted websites. The prefix itself only affects how the public key looks.
Basic comfort with a command line is enough for simple use, but you should be willing to read help output and follow setup steps carefully. Without any terminal experience, the learning curve will be steep, and a graphical tool may be a better starting point.
Both are described as Nostr public key mining tools. They address the same goal of generating a customized key, but they differ in their code, documentation and development history. Compare their repositories, release dates and instructions to decide which one suits your workflow better.
Verdict
Glasnostr is a small, free and open source tool for anyone who wants a Nostr npub with a chosen prefix and is comfortable in a terminal. It does exactly one job and does it transparently. Its main drawbacks are the lack of recent maintenance and the fact that a cosmetic prefix adds no security. Use it for experimentation or a personal identity you can afford to regenerate, verify the download carefully, and check the latest activity on the official repository before relying on it.