Nostr Vanity Address Generator is a free, open-source tool written in Rust that helps Nostr users create a public key starting with a pattern they choose. It suits people who want a recognizable npub address for their profile, and developers who experiment with Nostr key generation. If you are looking for a Nostr Vanity Address Generator for Windows, this page explains what the program does, how to install it, and what to check before you run it.
The project is released under the Apache-2.0 license, and its latest version is v0.2.0. Its code was last updated in September 2024, so check the GitHub repository for newer activity before you depend on it for anything important. Keep your expectations realistic: the tool searches randomly, and longer prefixes take far more time to find.
How Nostr Keys Work
Nostr is an open protocol in which people are identified by key pairs rather than by accounts held on a central server. The public key is shared openly and displayed in an npub format, which lets other users find and follow you. The private key, shown as an nsec, proves that you control the identity and should never be shared.
Because the public key is what others see, it is the part people try to customize. A key that begins with a memorable pattern is easier to share on a business card or in a social post. The private key still needs the same protection regardless of how the public key looks.
Who Should Use a Vanity Key Generator?
Vanity key generators are most useful to people who already understand how Nostr identities work. Developers testing Nostr clients may want predictable test keys, and community projects may want a public key that is easy to recognize. Someone building a brand presence could also prefer a key that resembles their name.
The tool is a poor fit for anyone who wants a simple point-and-click app. It expects you to work in a terminal, verify downloads and store a private key yourself. If those steps feel unfamiliar, practice on a test key before using a long-term identity.
Why Longer Prefixes Take Longer
Each generated key is random, so the program has to test many candidates before one matches your pattern. Nostr public keys use a bech32 alphabet with 32 symbols, which means every extra character you require makes a match roughly 32 times less likely. A four-character pattern is therefore far easier to find than a six-character one.
This is why length matters more than you might expect. Plan your pattern around the time you have, and treat a long search as a background task rather than something you can finish in a few minutes. Keep the pattern short unless you have a clear reason to need more.
Key features
Custom prefix search
Rust-based and cross-platform
Open source under Apache-2.0
Free of charge
Supported coins
The program is built around Nostr, an open protocol for decentralized social apps. It generates Nostr public keys, which are the identities people share as npub addresses. Its only listed network is Nostr, and it is not a coin miner in the usual sense.
How to install Nostr Vanity Address Generator on Windows
- 1
Get the program from the official source
Download only from the official website or GitHub. Use the project's GitHub Releases page for a ready-made Windows file, or the repository itself if you prefer to build it. The most recent version listed is v0.2.0.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release. If the project provides a signature, check it as well. A mismatch means the file should not be run.
- 3
Install with Cargo if you build from source
If no Windows binary is available, you can install the program through Cargo, Rust's package manager. This requires the Rust toolchain on your machine, but the toolchain is a build-time dependency only and is not needed to run a ready-made program.
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Place the program and run it
Move the executable to a folder you control, such as a dedicated tools directory, and open a terminal in that folder. Run the program once to confirm it starts before you enter any patterns.
How to use Nostr Vanity Address Generator
Using the tool comes down to choosing a pattern, starting the search and storing the result carefully. The steps below assume you have installed the program and opened a terminal window.
- Choose a prefix that uses only bech32-safe characters after npub1. Keep it short for your first test, since search time grows quickly with each added character.
- Start the program with your chosen pattern and let it run. The time varies, and a longer prefix can take much longer.
- When a match appears, copy the public key and the matching private key from the output. Store the private key in a password manager or in offline notes right away.
- Test the new public key in a Nostr client by viewing the profile before you publish anything with it.
- Close the terminal when you finish, and avoid leaving the private key on screen or in shared logs.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under Apache-2.0
- Written in Rust, a language known for memory safety
- Source code is public for review
- Lets you create recognizable Nostr public keys
- Focused on a single, clear job
- Last code update was in September 2024
- No dedicated Windows installer is listed, so you may need to build it yourself with Rust
- Search time grows quickly with longer prefixes
- Requires comfort with a terminal and handling private keys
Is Nostr Vanity Address Generator safe?
Because the program creates private keys, treat it with care. Download only from the official website or GitHub, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running any file. Never enter a Nostr private key, called an nsec, into a third-party website, including sites that offer to check or upgrade your key. Antivirus tools sometimes flag key generators and other utilities as suspicious. If that happens, check the file's hash and source rather than disabling your protection entirely. Given the last code update in September 2024, review recent issues on GitHub before using the tool for an important identity.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/chawyehsu/nostr-vanity-address-generator. 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
Rana is also described as a Nostr public key mining tool, so it is the closest alternative for this use. Both target Nostr keys, so compare them on the features that matter to you, such as how they handle prefixes and how actively each is maintained. The other listed programs, including GMiner, NBMiner, T-Rex Miner, PhoenixMiner, Rigel and WildRig Multi, are GPU miners for proof-of-work cryptocurrencies. They use graphics cards to produce coin rewards, which is a different job from creating a Nostr identity. Chia Blockchain is a full node and wallet project, also unrelated to vanity keys.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Latest version
- v0.2.0
- Last update
- 8 Sept 2024
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/chawyehsu/nostr-vanity-address-generator
Frequently asked questions
It can be, if you handle it carefully. Verify the checksum of the file you download from the project's GitHub page, keep your private key offline, and never enter an nsec on a third-party site. Antivirus warnings can happen with key generators, so check the file rather than turning protection off.
No. Its listed network is Nostr, and it generates Nostr identities rather than mining cryptocurrency. If you want coin mining, you would need a different class of software, such as the GPU miners covered among the alternatives on this site.
Only if you build it from source. The Rust toolchain is needed to compile the program or install it through Cargo, but a ready-made Windows executable does not require it. Check the GitHub Releases page first to see whether a prebuilt file is available for your system.
The most recent release is v0.2.0, and the code was last updated in September 2024. Open the GitHub repository to check recent commits and issues before relying on it. Because the code is open source, you can also review it directly to judge its quality.
Yes, the program is free to download and use. It is released under the Apache-2.0 license, which allows you to use, modify and redistribute the code under its terms. Read the license file in the repository for the full conditions.
Yes, a recognizable prefix can resemble a brand or a person's name, so scammers may imitate it. The prefix proves nothing about who controls the key. Confirm identities through other channels, such as a website you trust or a verified link on the profile.
Verdict
Nostr Vanity Address Generator suits developers and hobbyists who want a custom Nostr public key and are comfortable working in a terminal. It is free, open source and easy to read, but its last code update dates to September 2024, so treat it as a niche tool rather than a polished consumer app. Before relying on it, verify the download, store your private key carefully, confirm the latest version on the official website, and look at the repository for recent activity.