Jumble is a free, open-source client for the Nostr network, built for people who want to browse relay feeds without relying on a single social platform. It runs as a desktop app and suits readers who like to follow several sources at once. Because it is a Nostr client rather than a Bitcoin node, it reads and posts messages instead of validating blocks.
Nostr is a decentralized protocol where independent servers called relays store and pass along messages. Each relay carries its own mix of posts, so the feed you see depends on which relays you choose. Jumble also supports zaps, small Lightning Network tips that let readers reward authors. The project is MIT licensed, and its latest release is v26.10.1, with the last code update made on October 30, 2026.
What Is Nostr and Why Relays Matter
Nostr identities are built on key pairs rather than usernames tied to a company's account system. Your public key identifies you to others, while your private key proves that you wrote a post. Because you control the key, you are not locked into one service's login.
Relays are the other half of the picture. Anyone can run one, and a relay can hold a different set of posts from the next. This openness is the main trade-off: if a relay goes offline or drops content you care about, you simply add another relay and keep reading.
Who Should Use Jumble?
Jumble suits readers who are curious about Nostr and want to see how relay-based feeds work. A user who follows Bitcoin and Lightning discussions might use it to compare what different relays surface on the same topics.
Developers are another natural audience. Because the code is open source under MIT, they can study a working Nostr client, test relay behavior, or adapt the interface for their own projects.
People who want a polished, mainstream social app with a single feed may find Jumble less familiar. It rewards users who are comfortable choosing relays and managing their own keys.
Key Terms Explained
A relay is a server that stores and forwards Nostr messages. A public key is the identifier others use to find your posts, while a private key signs them and must stay secret. Losing the private key means losing control of that identity.
A zap is a tip attached to a post and paid over the Lightning Network, a second-layer payment network built on Bitcoin. Lightning payments settle quickly, but they still require a funded wallet and careful handling of the wallet's own keys or seed phrase.
Key features
Relay Feed Browsing
Built-In Zap Support
Open Source Under MIT
Electron Desktop Build
Docker Option
Supported coins
Jumble's documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC), the Lightning Network and Nostr itself. Bitcoin appears mainly through zaps, which use Lightning payments. Jumble is a Nostr client rather than a wallet or node, so it does not manage coin balances or hold blockchain data.
How to install Jumble on Windows
- 1
Get the Installer from the Official Source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/CodyTseng/jumble. Look for the latest version, which is v26.10.1 at the time of writing, and pick the Windows package if one is listed.
- 2
Verify the File
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published on the release page. If the project provides a signature, check that as well. A mismatch means the file should not be run.
- 3
Run the Installer
Open the downloaded file and follow the setup prompts. If the release offers a portable build instead, extract it to a folder you control. Building from source needs developer tools such as Node.js, but that applies only to developers, not to the ready-made program.
-
Start Jumble and Add Relays
Launch the app, set up or import your Nostr identity, and add the relays you want to read from. Keep your private key offline and out of screenshots or shared files.
How to use Jumble
Once Jumble is installed, using it is mostly a matter of choosing relays and following accounts. The steps below assume the desktop build on Windows.
- Launch Jumble and decide whether to use an existing Nostr key or create a new identity. Store any private key offline.
- Add the relays you want to read from. Relay choice shapes your feed, so start with a few relays and add more as you learn what they carry.
- Browse the feed and open the profiles of accounts that interest you. Reading a few recent posts helps you judge whether an account fits your interests.
- Send a zap when a post is worth a tip. Confirm the amount in your Lightning wallet before you pay, since Lightning payments are hard to reverse.
- Switch relays if a feed is slow or empty. A relay that is offline or does not carry the content you want is easy to replace.
- Check the project's GitHub Releases page from time to time for newer versions, and update when a new release appears.
Pros & cons
- Free and MIT-licensed, with no subscription cost
- Open source code that anyone can read, audit or fork
- Focused on relay feed browsing rather than a single platform's timeline
- Built-in zap support for Lightning tips
- Recent code update and a current release, v26.10.1
- Docker option for container-based setups
- Not a Bitcoin wallet or full node, so it does not validate the blockchain
- Windows builds are described as likely, so confirm a current Windows package before installing
- Feed quality depends heavily on which relays you choose
- Zaps require a Lightning wallet, which adds a separate setup and security step
Is Jumble safe?
Jumble is a client, not a wallet, but it handles your Nostr identity and can send Lightning payments, so treat it carefully. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the published value. Check any signature if one is offered.
Never type a seed phrase or private key into a website or app that asks for it. Keep your Lightning wallet separate from everyday funds where possible, and use a small balance for zaps. Before installing, check the latest version on the official website, since release numbers change.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/CodyTseng/jumble. 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
Jumble sits in a different corner of this catalog than most entries. Electrum Personal Server and Fulcrum are Electrum-compatible servers that help wallets query Bitcoin data, while Gocoin, Stratis Full Node and Stacks Node run blockchain infrastructure. Elements / Liquid is a sidechain platform, and Frigate focuses on silent payments within the Electrum ecosystem.
Jumble, by contrast, is a social client for Nostr that supports Lightning zaps. If you need infrastructure, look at the node and server entries. For scripting, the Native apps and CLI entry offers a command-line client. If you want to read a decentralized feed, Jumble is the one to try.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v26.10.1
- Last update
- 30 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/CodyTseng/jumble
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Jumble is free and open source under the MIT license, so you can use, study and adapt its code without paying a license fee. The current release is v26.10.1, which you can find on the project's GitHub page alongside the source code and release notes.
The project states that it builds for Windows, but Windows support is considered likely rather than guaranteed. Check the GitHub Releases page for a Windows package in the latest version. If none is listed, you can run Jumble through Docker, since the project also lists it as a platform.
No. Jumble is a Nostr client for reading relay feeds, so it does not download or validate the Bitcoin blockchain. Its documentation mentions Bitcoin, the Lightning Network and Nostr, mainly because zaps use Lightning payments. If you want to run a full node, look at the blockchain entries in this catalog.
Zaps are tips sent to Nostr users, usually paid over the Lightning Network. You attach a small amount to a post you like, and the payment goes directly from sender to recipient rather than through a central payment processor. You need a Lightning wallet with funds to send zaps.
A relay is a server that stores and forwards Nostr messages. Anyone can run one, and each relay can hold different posts. Clients like Jumble connect to a set of relays and combine what they receive into a single feed. If one relay goes offline, you can add another and keep reading.
It can be, provided you confirm the file matches the project's published checksum before running it. Jumble is open source, so its code can be reviewed by anyone interested in checking how it works. Keep private keys and seed phrases offline, and never type them into a site that asks for them.
Yes. The project lists Docker among its platforms, so you can run Jumble in a container rather than installing it on Windows directly. Containers are useful for testing or for keeping the client separate from everyday software. Follow the instructions in the project's repository, since container setup details can change between releases.
Verdict
Jumble suits people who want to explore Nostr through relay feeds, support creators with zaps and read open-source code. It is not a Bitcoin wallet, not a full node and not a polished replacement for mainstream social apps, so set your expectations accordingly. If you are comfortable choosing relays and managing a Lightning wallet, it is worth trying Jumble for Windows on a small test setup.