Ngit Cli is a command-line tool for developers who want to collaborate on free and open-source code without depending on one centralized hosting service. It brings Git collaboration onto Nostr, an open protocol for decentralized apps, so a project can be published and reviewed in a way that works as a GitHub alternative. The program is written in Rust and is aimed at maintainers and contributors who already work in the terminal.
Ngit Cli is actively maintained, with its latest release at version 3.0.5 and a recent code update. The project lists Android among its platforms and states that it builds for Windows, so Windows users should check the Releases page for a ready-made build. Everything happens through short commands such as ngit init and ngit list, which suits scripted workflows and people comfortable with Git.
What Is Ngit Cli and How It Differs From Hosted Git?
Most developers push code to a hosted service such as GitHub, which keeps the repository, issues and pull requests on one company's servers. Ngit Cli takes a different approach. It uses Nostr, a protocol in which users sign messages with cryptographic keys and publish them to relays that anyone can run. Repository announcements and proposed changes can travel through that network instead of through one platform.
For a free software project, this has practical meaning. A maintainer is not the only place a project lives, and contributors do not need an account on a single site to take part. The tool is best understood as a bridge: it keeps the familiar Git workflow on your machine and uses Nostr as the place where collaboration metadata lives.
The trade-off is that this ecosystem is younger than the hosted services most developers know. Expect fewer conveniences, such as polished web dashboards, and plan for a more hands-on setup.
Who Should Use Ngit Cli for Free Software Projects?
Ngit Cli suits people who already work in a terminal and care about open collaboration. Free software maintainers who want their projects reachable beyond a single company's platform are the most obvious audience. Contributors who review code from the command line may also find it convenient, since listing and opening pull requests takes only short commands.
Consider a small team maintaining a library. The maintainer publishes the repository once with ngit init. A contributor creates a feature branch and pushes it with the pr/ prefix. The maintainer then runs ngit list, sees the new proposal and reviews it with ordinary Git tools. Nothing in that loop requires a graphical client.
It is less suited to people who need a visual interface or a large set of integrated project management tools. Beginners may want to learn branches and remotes on a hosted service first, then move to a decentralized workflow once those basics feel comfortable.
Key Concepts Behind Nostr-Based Git: Keys, Relays and Repositories
Three ideas help explain how Ngit Cli works. The first is the Nostr protocol itself. Each user has a key pair: the public key identifies them, and the private key signs what they publish. Whoever holds the private key controls that identity, so it must be stored carefully.
The second idea is the relay. Relays are servers that store and forward Nostr events. Because anyone can run a relay, no single operator decides whether a repository or proposal exists. Tools and users may connect to several relays so their activity reaches more people.
The third idea is the split between code and coordination. Git still stores the code, and commits and branches behave as usual. Nostr carries the social layer: who announced a project, who proposed a change and where to find it. Understanding this split makes troubleshooting easier when something does not appear where you expect.
Key features
Pull requests from branch names
Opening a PR by pushing a branch
Publishing a repository to Nostr
Supported coins
Ngit Cli works with the Nostr network, which is the network it relies on for publishing repositories and coordinating pull requests. It is a collaboration tool for Git projects rather than a tool for coins or tokens, so it does not handle asset transfers. Repository announcements and proposals move through Nostr relays.
How to install Ngit Cli on Windows
- 1
Open the official source page
Go to the project's repository at github.com/DanConwayDev/ngit-cli and open the Releases section. Download only from the official website or the official GitHub Releases page, and avoid copies offered on other sites.
- 2
Choose a Windows build from the latest release
The most recent release is v3.0.5. The project states that it builds for Windows, so check the release assets for a Windows file before downloading. If the release does not include one, wait for a newer release rather than searching for unofficial builds.
- 3
Verify the download
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is provided instead, verify that signature. Do not run the file if the checksum does not match.
-
Place the program on your PATH
Extract the executable into a folder such as a Tools directory in your user profile, then add that folder to your PATH environment variable. Open a new terminal window and type ngit to confirm that Windows recognizes the command.
System requirements
- Commands that act on a repository require its directory, normally .git, to be writable
How to use Ngit Cli
Once the program is installed, most of the work happens inside an existing Git repository. The steps below cover the common path from publishing a project to reviewing a proposed change.
- Open a terminal in the project folder that is already a Git repository.
- Run ngit init to publish the repository to Nostr.
- Create a branch for your change and commit it as you normally would.
- Push the branch with a pr/ prefix, for example pr/fix-readme, to open a pull request.
- For advanced options, use ngit send instead of a plain push.
- Run ngit list to see every open pull request, then review each one with your usual Git tools.
If a pull request does not appear after you push, confirm that the branch name starts exactly with pr/. Small naming differences are the most common reason a proposal is missed.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with the source code publicly available on GitHub
- Brings pull requests into the command line through simple pr/ branch naming
- Publishes a repository to Nostr with a single init command
- Recently updated, with a current release at v3.0.5
- Not tied to one hosting company's infrastructure
- No graphical interface; all actions run through commands
- Windows support is documented as a build target, so the download path takes more care than a typical installer
- Commands require a writable repository directory to work
- Smaller ecosystem than established hosted Git platforms
- Best suited to users comfortable with Git and the terminal
Is Ngit Cli safe?
Ngit Cli is open source, and its code is public on GitHub, which makes it easier to review. Download it only from the official website or the official GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the file. The program works with Nostr keys, so treat your private key like a password: never paste it into a third-party website, browser prompt or chat. Antivirus tools sometimes flag small command-line programs, especially unsigned ones. If that happens, verify the checksum and confirm the download source rather than disabling protection altogether. The project was updated recently, but check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/DanConwayDev/ngit-cli. 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
Ngit Cli is narrower than most Nostr software. Amethyst and Coop are Nostr clients for social browsing and private messages, and Gossip is a desktop client written in Rust. NAK is a broader command-line toolkit for working with Nostr events, while Nostr Commander RS is a simple CLI-based client for everyday use. Ngit Cli focuses on one job: publishing repositories and handling pull requests. If your goal is code collaboration, it fits better than general-purpose clients. If you want to read or post on Nostr, choose one of the other programs instead.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v3.0.5
- Last update
- 28 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/DanConwayDev/ngit-cli
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Ngit Cli is free and open source, and its source code is publicly available on GitHub. The installation process involves downloading the program from the official sources and does not require a purchase or subscription. Review the license in the repository before using the program in commercial work.
The project states that it builds for Windows, so a Windows build is expected. Open the Releases page on GitHub, confirm that the latest release includes a Windows file, and download it from there. If no Windows file appears, wait for a newer release instead of using an unofficial copy.
It is open source, so its code can be reviewed publicly. Download it only from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature, and never enter your Nostr private key on third-party sites. Ngit Cli is not a wallet, but it uses keys to sign activity, so the same care applies.
Create a branch whose name starts with pr/, commit your changes and push the branch to the remote. Ngit Cli treats that branch as an open pull request. For advanced options, use the ngit send command instead of a plain push, and then check the result with ngit list.
A standard git init creates a local repository only. ngit init goes further by publishing an existing repository to Nostr, so other people can find it and propose changes. Use regular Git commands for everyday commits and branches, and use ngit when you want the project to be discoverable on Nostr.
For some free software projects it can cover the core publishing and pull request workflow. It does not offer the web interfaces and integrated tools that hosted platforms provide. Some projects may choose to use both a hosted platform and a Nostr-based workflow side by side.
Verdict
Ngit Cli is a focused tool for developers who want Git collaboration on Nostr from the terminal. It is free, open source and recently updated, which makes it a reasonable choice for maintainers of free software who value an open network over a single platform. It is not a good fit for anyone who needs a graphical interface or a mature ecosystem of integrations. Try it on a non-critical repository first, and follow the safety steps before handling any keys.