Nostr console is a free, open-source command-line client for the Nostr decentralized social network. It is aimed at developers, power users and anyone who prefers working in a terminal to clicking through a graphical app. The current release is 0.3.6-beta, and its code was last updated in February 2026, so the project is active rather than abandoned.
The client is written in Dart and sits in the Dart and Flutter ecosystem. Windows users can install it through the Scoop package manager, while Linux and Docker are also listed as supported platforms. Because it is a beta release, expect rough edges and keep an eye on changes between versions. If you are new to Nostr, think of this program as a window into the network: it lets you read and post from the keyboard without a browser or phone app.
What Is Nostr and Why Do Clients Matter?
Nostr is an open protocol for social networking. Instead of one company hosting every account and post, users sign their messages with a cryptographic key and publish them to relays, which are servers that anyone can run. Because the same signed notes can be fetched from many relays, no single provider decides who gets to take part.
A client is the application you use to read that network and write to it. Different clients present the same underlying notes in different ways, with different layouts, filters and controls. That is why choosing a client matters: the same network can feel very different in a terminal than in a graphical app.
Nostr console takes the client role in a minimal form. It does not try to imitate a feed-style social app. Instead, it focuses on the text of conversations and the structure of threads, which suits readers who want to follow discussions carefully rather than scroll quickly.
Who Should Use a Terminal Nostr Client?
Terminal clients appeal to a specific group. Developers who build Nostr tools often want a quick way to see how their test notes look once they reach the network, and a console client gives them that view without setting up a web frontend. Sysadmins and engineers who spend their day in a shell may also prefer to check activity from the same window they already have open.
Power users who dislike visual clutter form another group. Without images, autoplay and sidebars, a text view keeps attention on the content. The thread depth option is useful here, because you can decide how far down a conversation to display and keep a busy discussion from taking over the screen.
This client is less suitable if you want rich media, a polished interface or a phone companion. It is built for the keyboard rather than the mouse, so people who browse casually on the go will likely find it limiting. Most people who try a terminal client for a week will know quickly which camp they belong to.
Key Concepts: Keys, Relays and Proof of Work
Three ideas come up repeatedly when you use a Nostr client, and knowing them makes the program easier to operate.
Keys. Your identity on Nostr is a key pair. The public key can be shared freely, and it is how others find and follow you. The private key signs your posts and must stay secret, because anyone who has it can publish as you.
Relays. Your client connects to one or more relays to fetch and publish notes. Which relays you use shapes what you see. Changing relays does not move your account, because your identity lives in your keys rather than on a server.
Difficulty. The client includes a difficulty setting for proof of work. Its minimum and default value is 0, which means no difficulty is applied. Higher values make publishing take longer, and they are rarely needed for everyday posting.
Key features
Text-based interface
Thread depth control
Dart and Flutter foundation
Multiple platforms
Free and open-source license
Supported coins
The documentation mentions the Lightning Network and the Nostr network itself. Lightning is a payment layer built on Bitcoin, and its presence here reflects the wider Nostr ecosystem, where Lightning payments are common. The client is oriented toward reading and posting notes rather than managing funds.
How to install Nostr on Windows
PS> scoop install nostr_console- 1
Install Scoop
Scoop is a command-line package manager for Windows. If you do not have it yet, install it by following the official Scoop instructions for PowerShell. Scoop handles downloads and folder placement for you, so you do not have to hunt for installers.
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Install Nostr console
Open PowerShell and run scoop install nostr_console. Scoop fetches the package and places the program where it can be launched from the terminal. Wait for the command to finish before you try to start the client. Only download from the official website or the GitHub Releases page.
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Alternative route with the source code
If you prefer Docker, get the source from the project's GitHub repository and unpack it into its own folder. Open a terminal in that folder and make sure Docker Desktop is running in the background before you run any commands from the project's instructions. Again, only download from the official website or GitHub.
How to use Nostr
Once installed, the client runs in a terminal window. Here is a practical workflow for a first session.
- Open PowerShell or another terminal and type nostr_console to start the program.
- Decide which relays you want to read from, since the relays you connect to shape the notes you see.
- Use the thread depth option, -m or --maxdepth, to choose how far down a reply chain to display. The minimum value is 2.
- If the examples in the documentation include a username and password, use them only where your setup requires authentication. Otherwise, leave them out.
- Keep the difficulty at 0 unless you have a specific reason to raise it. Zero is both the minimum and the default, meaning no difficulty is applied.
- Post a short test note and check that it appears where you expect. Keep your first sessions short while you learn the commands.
Pros & cons
- Free to use and released under the AGPL-3.0 open-source license
- Simple installation on Windows with one Scoop command
- Runs on Windows, Linux and Docker
- Thread depth can be limited from the command line
- Source code is public on GitHub for review
- Recent code update in February 2026
- Still a beta release at version 0.3.6-beta
- Terminal-only interface has a learning curve
- No graphical layout, images or mobile version
- Docker route depends on Docker Desktop being installed and running
- Less suited to casual browsing than graphical Nostr apps
Is Nostr safe?
Nostr console works with your Nostr private key, so treat the download as a security decision. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, never from mirrors or links shared in chats. Before running a downloaded file, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project, or verify a release signature if one is provided. Scoop installs are convenient, but they still rely on a package manifest, so check that the source is trustworthy. Never enter your private key or any other secret on third-party websites, and never share it in screenshots. Ordinary antivirus scanning is still worthwhile. If a file is flagged, verify its checksum before deciding what to do. Since this is a beta release, also check the latest version on the official website.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/vishalxl/nostr_console. 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
Nostr console differs from most entries in this catalog because it is a terminal program. Vega and Nostrmo are graphical desktop clients with windows, menus and visual feeds. Nostrid is a multi-platform client that offers binaries for Windows, macOS and Linux. Notedeck is a Rust-based desktop browser for Nostr, and Blockcore Notes is a Progressive Web App that can be installed on mobile and desktop. Awesome Nostr is a curated list of services rather than a client, so it serves a different purpose. Choose Nostr console if you want keyboard control and a text-first view. Choose a graphical client if you want to browse media-heavy feeds with a mouse.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- AGPL-3.0
- Latest version
- 0.3.6-beta
- Last update
- 1 Feb 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via Scoop)
- Source code
- github.com/vishalxl/nostr_console
- Install command
- scoop install nostr_console
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The program is listed as free and is released under the AGPL-3.0 open-source license, which lets you read, modify and share its code under the license terms. Being free does not replace checking the file itself, so verify each download before you run it.
Install Scoop, then run scoop install nostr_console in PowerShell. Scoop downloads and sets up the program for you. Alternatively, you can work from the source code with Docker Desktop running in the background, as described in the installation section.
Nostr is an open protocol for decentralized social networking. Users publish signed notes to relays, and clients such as Nostr console read and display them. Because identity rests on cryptographic keys rather than a single host, an account is not tied to one server.
The documentation mentions the Lightning Network alongside Nostr itself. The client is oriented toward reading and posting notes, so it should not be treated as a wallet. For current details on what the project supports, check its GitHub repository.
Its code is open source, so anyone can review it on GitHub. Safety depends mainly on where you get the file and how you handle your private key. Download from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and never enter your key on third-party sites.
Windows, Linux and Docker are listed as supported platforms. On Windows, the simplest route is Scoop. Linux users can work from the source code directly, while Docker provides a container-based option for those who already use it.
The current version, 0.3.6-beta, signals an early-stage release that may change between updates. The last code update was in February 2026, so development is ongoing. Expect some changes over time and review what has changed before upgrading.
Verdict
Nostr console suits people who want a free, open-source Nostr client they can run from a terminal on Windows, Linux or Docker. It is a good fit for developers, power users and anyone comfortable with command-line tools. It is not the right choice for casual users who want images, polished menus or a mobile app. Because the release is labeled beta, treat it as a tool to test rather than a critical daily system, and keep an eye on updates.