More Speech is a free, open-source desktop client for the Nostr protocol, aimed at people who want to read and publish on Nostr from their own computer instead of a browser tab. It is written in Clojure, so it suits readers who are curious about the language or want to study a small, focused Nostr client.
Before you install More Speech for Windows, know two things. The most recent code update was in February 2024, so the project has been quiet for a long time and should be treated as an older release. Its platform list names Linux, and Windows support is described as likely rather than confirmed, so check the releases page for a Windows build first. The rest of this page covers what the program does, how to install it safely and how it compares with other Nostr clients.
What Is Nostr and Why Clients Matter
Nostr, short for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays, is an open protocol for social posting and messaging. Instead of one company running the network, users publish signed events to relays, which are servers that store and pass those events along. Anyone can run a relay, and anyone can move to a different client without losing their identity.
Identity works through key pairs. A public key works like an address that others can follow, while a private key signs each post to prove it came from you. This is why the private key matters so much: whoever holds it can publish as you, and losing it means losing control of that identity.
Because the protocol is separate from any single app, clients are where most people actually experience Nostr. A client decides how posts are displayed, which relays it connects to and how it handles signing. Desktop clients such as More Speech give those choices a home on your computer rather than in a mobile app or a web page.
Who More Speech Is For
More Speech suits a fairly specific group of readers. The first is Nostr users who prefer a desktop environment and want their feed in a window that stays open while they work. The second is developers who know Clojure or want to learn it through a real application rather than a classroom example.
Consider a Linux user who follows a few dozen accounts and wants to read posts between tasks. A desktop client keeps that activity separate from a busy browser session. A Clojure developer, meanwhile, might clone the repository, run the Leiningen build and study how a messaging client handles relays and events.
The program is less suited to readers who want a polished, feature-packed app with extensive guides. The main written guidance is the project wiki, and the code has not changed since early 2024. If you mostly want quick mobile access to Nostr, another client in this catalog may be a better starting point.
How a Desktop Client Fits Into the Nostr Ecosystem
A Nostr client does three main jobs: it connects to relays, it signs what you write and it renders what others publish. Those jobs are the same whether the client runs in a browser, on a phone or on a desktop, which is why switching between apps is possible.
When you open a desktop client, it typically reads from the relays you configure and builds a timeline from the events it receives. When you post, the signature is created with your private key before the event goes out. Keeping this step on your own machine means signing does not depend on a website you happen to visit.
Many users run more than one client. One might handle quick reading on a phone, while a desktop client covers longer sessions. Because all of them speak the same protocol, your identity and follows can move with you. Understanding this architecture is the best way to judge whether More Speech fits your routine.
Key features
Desktop Nostr client
Clojure codebase
Leiningen build workflow
speclj test suite
Supported coins
Within its documentation, More Speech points to Nostr as the network it works with. It is a social client rather than a wallet or trading tool, so it is best understood as a way to read and publish on Nostr, not as a place to manage cryptocurrency.
How to install More Speech on Windows
- 1
Find the official release
Go to the project on GitHub at github.com/unclebob/more-speech and open the Releases page. Download the Windows build from GitHub or the official website only, and skip mirrors or links shared in chats or forums. If no Windows build appears on the Releases page, the ready-made program is not available for Windows yet.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release. If the release includes a digital signature, check that as well. Do not run a file whose hash does not match the published value.
- 3
Install and launch
Extract the archive or run the installer as the release notes describe. Keep the program in a folder you control, then launch it once to confirm that it opens without errors before you connect to any relays.
-
Read the wiki before setup
Open the project wiki at github.com/unclebob/more-speech/wiki before adding keys or choosing relays. It is the main source of setup guidance, and reading it first helps you avoid common mistakes with new Nostr accounts.
How to use More Speech
Using a Nostr client always starts with the same idea: your identity is a key pair, and the app has to handle it carefully. The exact screens depend on the version you install, so the project wiki is the best reference for menu names and options. The general flow below applies to most desktop Nostr clients.
- Install More Speech from the official release and open it once to confirm that it starts.
- Read the wiki page for setup notes before adding any keys.
- Add your Nostr key in the way the wiki describes, and keep the private key out of screenshots, chats and shared documents.
- Choose the relays you want to connect to, starting with a small set you trust.
- Follow a few accounts, check your timeline and post a test note once you feel comfortable with the workflow.
Take your time with the first session. Nostr posts are public by default, so a test note is a good way to learn the client without sharing anything personal.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with the code available for review on GitHub
- Built in Clojure with a standard Leiningen workflow
- Includes a speclj test setup that helps contributors check changes
- Focused on the desktop, separate from busy browser tabs
- The last code update dates to February 2024
- Windows support is described as likely but is not confirmed on the platform list
- The main guidance lives on a project wiki rather than a polished help center
- Less suited to readers who want a mobile app or a large feature set
Is More Speech safe?
Download More Speech only from the official GitHub repository or its Releases page. Check the SHA-256 checksum or signature against the published values before running anything. Keep your antivirus protection turned on, and avoid installers from third-party sites or file-sharing links.
The project has had no code update since February 2024, so it may not keep up with protocol changes or fix newer issues quickly. Review the release notes and open issues before installing. Treat your Nostr private key like a password: never paste it into a third-party website or a message from someone claiming to be support.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/unclebob/more-speech. 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
Several Nostr clients in this catalog cover similar ground, but they take different approaches. Gossip is also a desktop client, though it is written in Rust, so readers who prefer that ecosystem may find it more familiar. Vega describes itself as a cross-platform desktop client, which matters if you want one app across several operating systems. More Speech stands apart through its Clojure codebase and its small, readable project structure.
For readers who live in the terminal, NAK and Nostr Commander RS are better fits than any window-based client because they run from the command line. Amethyst is a general Nostr client, while Coop is oriented toward private messages. If you want a desktop window with a recent update history, compare the latest code update dates before choosing.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- 2 Feb 2024
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/unclebob/more-speech
Frequently asked questions
Yes. More Speech is listed as free and open source, so you can download it without paying and read its code on GitHub. Free software still deserves the same care as any download, so verify the file before you install it and run it.
It can be, if you get it from the official GitHub repository and check the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running it. The project has not had a code update since February 2024, so review the release notes and open issues first. Never enter your private key on a third-party website.
Windows support is described as likely, but the platform list names Linux, so it is not guaranteed. Open the Releases page on GitHub and look for a Windows build. If none is there, the program cannot be installed on Windows from a ready-made file.
Nostr is an open protocol for decentralized social posting. Users publish signed messages to relays, and any compatible client can display them. Identity is based on key pairs rather than a company account, so you can switch between apps while keeping the same public identity.
More Speech is a social client, not a wallet or exchange tool. Its documentation mentions Nostr as the network it works with. It does not hold or send coins for you, so use a dedicated wallet for any payments you plan to make.
Download the release from GitHub, verify the checksum, and then run the installer or extract the files as described in the release notes. Before adding any keys, read the project wiki for setup guidance so you understand the basic workflow.
Gossip and Vega are other desktop clients, while NAK and Nostr Commander RS offer command-line workflows. Amethyst and Coop focus on different experiences. Compare platform support and latest update dates before choosing, because each project moves at its own pace.
Verdict
More Speech is a free, open-source Nostr desktop client written in Clojure. It suits developers who want to study a real client and desktop users who are comfortable verifying downloads and, if needed, building from source. It is a weaker choice if you want an actively updated app with a Windows build confirmed on the release page, since the last code update was in February 2024. Check the latest version on the official website before committing, and compare it with the other desktop clients listed here.