NOS is a free, open source command-line client for Nostr, the decentralized social network protocol. It is built for people who work in the terminal and want to post messages, read feeds and interact with the network without leaving the command line, including developers and power users who prefer keyboard-driven tools.
The program aims for a clean, easy-to-read interface and a lightweight footprint. Its current version is 1.1.9, it is released under the MIT license, and it supports Windows, macOS and Linux. For Windows users, the simplest route is installation through winget, covered below.
What Is Nostr and Why Clients Matter
Nostr is a decentralized social network protocol. Rather than posting to one company's servers, users send signed messages to relays, which are independent servers that store and pass along events. Anyone can run a relay, and a user can publish to more than one.
A client is the application that sits between you and this network. It creates and signs your posts, connects to relays, and displays the feeds you follow. Because the protocol is open, clients differ widely in design, which is why terminal tools like NOS exist alongside graphical apps. Understanding this split helps you choose software that matches how you actually use social networks.
Who Is NOS For?
NOS is aimed at people who spend time in a terminal and want a focused tool for posting. Developers testing Nostr relays or building their own applications may use it to check how events behave. System administrators working over remote sessions can post updates without switching to a browser.
Writers and privacy-minded users who prefer minimal software may also find it appealing. The lightweight design keeps the interface out of the way, so attention stays on composing a message. If you mostly read long threads or browse images, a graphical client will suit you better.
Working With Nostr From the Command Line
Command-line tools fit into workflows that graphical apps handle poorly. A posting client can run in the same window where you handle other tasks, and it does not need a large interface to stay responsive. On Windows, Windows Terminal or PowerShell gives you a comfortable place to run it.
Command-line clients are also easier to script and troubleshoot. Their behavior is visible in the text you see, which makes it simpler to tell whether a relay is slow or a message failed to send. Expect a short learning curve, but the result is a tool that behaves predictably.
Key features
Posting to Nostr relays
Terminal-first interface
Feeds and network interaction
Lightweight and cross-platform
How to install NOS on Windows
PS> winget install PlebOne.nos- 1
Open a terminal
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal. The winget package manager is included in recent versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 through the App Installer package, so a separate download is usually not needed.
- 2
Install NOS with winget
Run 'winget install PlebOne.nos' and wait for the package to finish. Winget handles the download and installation for you. If you prefer a manual route, download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page linked from it.
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Verify and launch
If you download a file manually, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value listed on the release page, when one is provided, before running it. Then open a new terminal window and type nos to start the client.
How to use NOS
Using NOS for the first time is mostly a matter of choosing relays and writing a note. Here is a simple workflow for a typical session.
- Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run nos.
- Check which relays the client is set to use, and add or remove relays so your posts reach the places you intend.
- Write a message in the interface and send it to your relays.
- Open the feed view to read recent posts from the network.
- Interact with posts you find, then exit when you are finished.
After a few sessions you will know which relays suit your audience and how to keep your workflow quick.
Pros & cons
- Free to use, with an MIT open source license
- Simple terminal interface that stays out of the way
- Described as fast and lightweight
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Installs on Windows with a single winget command
- Command-line only, so there is no visual timeline layout
- Less suited to users who want rich media and image-heavy feeds
- Narrower scope than full desktop Nostr apps
- Newer users may need time to get comfortable with terminal navigation
Is NOS safe?
Download NOS only from the official website or its GitHub repository, or install it through winget as described above. Before running a manually downloaded file, verify its SHA-256 checksum or signature when the release provides one, and keep Windows security tools turned on. NOS is a client for a protocol in which your private key signs every post, so never paste your private key (nsec) into a third-party website, web tool or chat. Treat any service that asks for your key as a serious risk. Because the source code is public under the MIT license, you can review it yourself or rely on the community's review. Check the latest version, currently 1.1.9, on the official website before updating.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/PlebOne. 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
NOS is a single-purpose terminal client, while most Nostr apps in this catalog are graphical. Amethyst, Gossip, Coop and Vega provide visual timelines and messaging layouts that suit people who read a lot of media. NAK and Nostr Commander RS are also command-line tools, but they focus on different jobs: NAK works as a general toolkit for handling Nostr events, while Nostr Commander RS is a convenient CLI client for everyday use. If you want a terminal client for quick posting, NOS keeps its scope narrow. Nostr VPN solves a different problem altogether, tunneling network traffic rather than handling social posts.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- 1.1.9
- Last update
- —
- Windows support
- Yes (available via winget)
- Official site
- github.com/PlebOne
- Source code
- github.com/plebone/nos
- Install command
- winget install PlebOne.nos
Frequently asked questions
Yes, NOS is free to use. It is open source under the MIT license, so you can use, study and modify its code. You can install it on Windows with winget or get the files from the official GitHub releases page, where the source code is also published.
Nostr is a decentralized social network protocol. Instead of one company hosting every post, users publish messages to relays, which are servers anyone can run. Clients such as NOS connect to relays to send and read posts, and each user's identity is tied to a cryptographic key pair.
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run winget install PlebOne.nos. Winget downloads and installs the program automatically. When it finishes, open a new terminal window and type nos to launch the client. If the command is not recognized, close and reopen the terminal so the updated path loads.
NOS is open source, so its code is public and can be reviewed. Stick to the official website, GitHub or winget, verify checksums where they are available, and never share your private key on third-party sites. Keeping Windows updated and security software active adds another layer of protection.
Yes, the program supports Windows, macOS and Linux, so the same client can be used on other machines. Installation steps differ by platform, so check the official GitHub page for the method that fits your system.
If you prefer a graphical interface, Amethyst, Gossip and Vega are desktop-oriented Nostr clients. For other command-line tools, NAK and Nostr Commander RS are worth a look. The right choice depends on whether you want quick terminal posting or a full visual timeline.
Verdict
NOS is a good fit for people who already work in the terminal and want a free, open source way to post to Nostr. It is simple, lightweight and easy to install on Windows with winget. If you need media-rich feeds or a graphical timeline, a desktop client from this catalog will serve you better. Pick NOS when a clean command-line workflow matters more than visual polish.