Nostr Commander RS is a command-line client for the Nostr network, built for people who prefer working in a terminal to using a graphical app. It suits system administrators, developers who want to script their social activity, and anyone comfortable typing commands on Windows.
The program covers the core Nostr activities: publishing notes, sending direct messages, and following users and channels. Because it runs from the shell, you can combine it with other tools or call it from scripts to automate routine posting. It is free, distributed under the GPL-3.0 license, and written in Rust. The current release is 0.3.1. The project's last code update is dated October 2024, so check the repository for newer activity before relying on it for anything important.
What Is Nostr Commander RS?
Nostr Commander RS is a command-line client for the Nostr network. A client is the software you use to talk to Nostr: it signs your messages and sends them to relays, the servers that store and pass events between users. Several relays can carry the same content, so the program works with that distributed setup rather than a single central service.
Nostr Commander RS handles the common tasks in that flow: publishing notes, sending direct messages, and following users and channels. The program is written in Rust and distributed under the GPL-3.0 license, which means its source code is open and can be studied, changed and redistributed under the license terms. It is free to use.
Because it runs in a console rather than a graphical window, it feels closer to a Unix-style utility than to a typical social app. Each task is a single command you can read back later, which makes the workflow easy to document and repeat.
Who Should Use a Terminal Nostr Client?
A terminal client makes the most sense for people who already spend much of their day in a shell. System administrators can post status messages from a server without opening a browser. Developers building Nostr tools can test publishing and following from the same console where they write code. Hobbyists who enjoy tinkering may find that typed commands show them how the protocol behaves.
It is less suited to someone who wants a visual feed with images, threads and notifications. In that case, a graphical client will feel more natural. Many users run both: a desktop app for reading and a command-line tool for automated tasks.
The right choice depends on whether speed and scripting or visual browsing matter more to you. If you only post occasionally from a phone or a laptop, a graphical client may be the simpler starting point.
Key Concepts Behind Nostr Clients
Nostr identity is built on key pairs. Your public key is shared with others so they can find and follow you. Your private key, usually written as nsec, proves that you wrote a message. Anyone who obtains the private key can publish as you, which is why it needs strict handling.
Events are the basic units of Nostr. A note, a profile update or a direct message is an event signed with your key and sent to one or more relays. Because relays are independent, a message may appear on some servers and not on others. That is why one client can show a slightly different feed than another.
A command-line client makes these steps visible. You see exactly what you send and where it goes, which is valuable if you want to learn how the protocol works before relying on any graphical app.
Key features
Built for Terminal Users
Automation for Administrators
Shell Scripting for the Nostr Network
Supported coins
Nostr is the only network the program is built for. Nostr is a messaging and publishing protocol, not a payment system, so this tool is for posting, direct messages and following accounts rather than handling funds.
How to install Nostr Commander RS on Windows
PS> scoop install nostr-commander-rs- 1
Install Scoop
Scoop is a command-line package manager for Windows. If you do not already have it, install it by following the setup instructions on its official website. Download tools only from official sources, and keep your package manager up to date.
- 2
Run the Install Command
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run: scoop install nostr-commander-rs. Scoop fetches the package and places it where your user profile can reach it, so you do not need administrator rights for a typical setup.
- 3
Confirm the Command Works
Open a new terminal window so the updated path is loaded, then check that the nostr-commander-rs command starts. If it fails, read the Scoop output for error messages before trying again.
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Manual Download as an Alternative
If you prefer not to use Scoop, open the project's GitHub Releases page and look for a Windows build. Download it only from the official website or the repository, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published there, and then run it from a folder you choose.
How to use Nostr Commander RS
Nostr Commander RS is simple once it is installed, but set up your key and options before you publish anything. Work through the steps below the first time you run it, and keep test posts harmless.
- Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and confirm the command runs.
- Review the available options in the program's built-in help, so you know which flags control the account and the output.
- Provide your private key with the --nsec option. The documentation recommends using it together with a related option, so read that part before your first run.
- Publish a short test note to confirm the setup works.
- Send a direct message to a contact you trust, then check that it arrived on their side.
- Follow a user or channel to build a feed you can read from the terminal.
- Once the commands feel familiar, move them into a shell script so routine posting runs with a single call.
Run each step slowly at first. Commands sent to the network are published as soon as you run them, so double-check the text and the target before pressing Enter.
Pros & cons
- Free to use and open source under GPL-3.0
- Fast, keyboard-driven workflow for publishing and messaging
- Scriptable, so routine Nostr tasks can be automated
- Useful for administrators and developers who work in the terminal
- Covers posting, direct messages and following in one tool
- No graphical interface, so casual users may find it hard to start
- The last code update is dated October 2024, so check recent activity
- Requires comfort with command-line options and key handling
Is Nostr Commander RS safe?
Nostr Commander RS handles your Nostr private key, so treat it with the same care you would give a crypto wallet seed phrase. Install it only from the official website or the project's GitHub repository. When you download a file manually, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project before running it.
Never type your nsec key into a third-party website, a chat window or a form that offers to help you set up your account. Legitimate tools do not need you to paste it anywhere else.
The program is GPL-3.0 licensed, so its source code is public and can be reviewed. The last code update is dated October 2024, so maintenance may be slow. Check the repository for recent activity and the latest release before relying on it for important accounts.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/8go/nostr-commander-rs. 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
Most Nostr clients people try first are graphical apps. Amethyst, Gossip and Vega give you a window with feeds, profiles and messages, which suits everyday browsing and posting. Nostr Commander RS works differently: it has no interface beyond the terminal, so it is better for scripted tasks, server-side posting and quick commands.
NAK is probably the closest match, since it is also a console tool for Nostr. Compare the two based on which command style you prefer. Coop focuses on personal messaging, while Nostr Commander RS covers publishing, direct messages and following in one tool.
Nostr VPN and Bold Bitcoin Wallet solve entirely different problems, so they are not substitutes for a Nostr client.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Latest version
- 0.3.1
- Last update
- 1 Oct 2024
- Windows support
- Yes (available via Scoop)
- Source code
- github.com/8go/nostr-commander-rs
- Install command
- scoop install nostr-commander-rs
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nostr Commander RS is free to use. It is distributed under the GPL-3.0 license, which means its source code is open and can be reviewed, modified and redistributed under the license terms. Because the license is open, you can check how the program works before trusting it with your account.
It can be used safely if you take basic precautions. Install it from the official website or the GitHub repository, verify the SHA-256 checksum of any manual download, and never paste your nsec private key into third-party websites. Since the last code update is dated October 2024, also check recent activity in the repository before relying on it.
Install Scoop first, then run the command scoop install nostr-commander-rs in PowerShell or Windows Terminal. Open a new terminal window afterward and confirm the command starts. If you prefer a manual setup, download a Windows build from the GitHub Releases page, if one is provided, and verify its checksum before running it.
No, Nostr Commander RS is a command-line client. You type commands in a terminal to publish notes, send direct messages and follow users or channels. There is no feed window or visual profile page, so people who want a graphical experience should look at desktop clients instead.
Yes, sending direct messages is one of the core features. You run a command that specifies the recipient and the message text. Before sending, confirm that your key setup is correct and that you are messaging the right public key, because a message sent to the wrong recipient cannot be recalled.
Yes, because each action is a command, you can call it from shell scripts. A script can publish scheduled updates or repeated status messages. Test your script with a harmless note first, and keep your private key out of the script file itself if possible.
NAK is the closest alternative, since it is also a command-line tool for Nostr. For a graphical experience, consider desktop clients such as Gossip, Amethyst or Vega. Your choice depends on whether you prefer typing commands or browsing feeds in a window.
Verdict
Nostr Commander RS for Windows suits people who want a lightweight, scriptable Nostr client and are comfortable working in a terminal. If you mainly want to browse feeds with images and threads, a graphical client such as Gossip or Amethyst will serve you better. Administrators and developers who automate posting or test Nostr workflows will get the most value from it. Before depending on it for important accounts, review recent activity in the project repository, since the last code update is dated October 2024.