Notedeck is a free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android that lets you read and post on Nostr, the decentralized social network protocol. It is aimed at people who already use Nostr or want a serious desktop client instead of a phone app, especially those who follow several feeds at once. Written in Rust by the team at Damus, it is currently published as a beta, with v0.10.0-beta.4 as the latest release.
What sets Notedeck apart is its layout. Instead of one long timeline, it uses a TweetDeck-style column view, so you can keep a feed, a profile and a conversation open side by side. It also displays and uploads images, including GIFs, lets you tip creators with Bitcoin over the Lightning Network, and includes Dave, an AI assistant that can search and analyze Nostr content. Because the project is young, expect the interface and feature set to keep changing between releases.
What Is Nostr and Why Use a Desktop Client?
Nostr is an open protocol for social networking. Instead of posts living on one company's servers, messages are sent to relays, which are independent servers that store and pass along events. Your identity is a cryptographic key pair rather than a username tied to a platform, so you can move between apps while keeping the same account.
A desktop client suits this model well. Reading many feeds, comparing threads and managing relay connections is easier with a large screen and a keyboard than on a phone. Notedeck is built around that idea, giving you room to see several streams at once and to work through conversations without constant scrolling.
Because Nostr clients are interchangeable front ends for the same network, the choice of app is mostly about workflow. Some people prefer simple timelines, while others want columns, search and tools for monitoring topics. Notedeck leans toward the second group.
Who Notedeck Is Built For
Notedeck fits several kinds of users. Active Nostr participants who follow dozens of accounts will appreciate the column view, because each stream can stay in its own lane. Journalists, researchers and community moderators who watch specific hashtags or accounts can use separate columns to keep track of conversations as they unfold.
Creators may find the zap feature useful for seeing how audiences respond to their work. Tipping with Bitcoin over the Lightning Network is one of the most visible ways Nostr users show appreciation, so a desktop client that makes it simple to do from the same window as reading can save time.
Developers form another group. Because the project is written in Rust and its source code is public on GitHub, programmers can study how a multi-column Nostr client is put together, or contribute fixes. Newcomers to Nostr should expect to learn some basic concepts, such as keys and relays, before the app feels fully intuitive.
How the Project Is Organized
The Notedeck repository is split into several crates, which are Rust packages that each handle one part of the application. A core library holds functionality shared across the project. A chrome crate provides the user interface container and navigation framework, which decides how the windows and screens fit together.
A separate columns crate contains the TweetDeck-style interface, while the Dave crate contains the AI assistant for Nostr. Shared UI components live in their own package so that different screens can look and behave consistently. A small tokenator library handles string token parsing.
This modular design matters for anyone reading the code or planning to build on it. Each part can be changed with less risk of breaking the rest, and developers can focus on one area, such as the interface or the assistant, without learning the entire codebase first. For most end users, none of this is visible, but it helps explain why the app can grow feature by feature between releases.
Key features
Multi-column layout
Dave AI assistant
Profile management
Media support
Lightning tips
Cross-platform access
Supported coins
Notedeck's documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC), the Lightning Network and Nostr. Bitcoin and Lightning come into play when you send zaps, which are tips to content creators. Nostr is the decentralized protocol the client is built around rather than a coin. Coin-related functions center on tipping, so do not expect trading, price tracking or portfolio tools.
How to install Notedeck on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows build
Go to the official project page or the GitHub Releases page at github.com/damus-io/notedeck. Choose the Windows build or installer from the latest release, which is v0.10.0-beta.4 at the time of writing. Download only from the official website or GitHub, and avoid mirror sites or files shared in chat groups.
- 2
Verify the file
Check the SHA-256 checksum or digital signature if the release publishes one. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash followed by the path to the downloaded file, then compare the result with the value on the release page. Continue only if the two values match exactly.
- 3
Run the installer or extract the build
If you downloaded an installer, run it and follow the prompts. If the release is a standalone build, extract it to a folder you control, such as Documents, and launch the executable from there. Windows may show a warning for an unsigned or new program, so confirm the checksum first.
-
Sign in or create an identity
Open Notedeck and either import your existing Nostr keys or create a new identity. Store your private key in a password manager or offline backup. Never paste it into a website you reached through a search result or a link in a message.
How to use Notedeck
Notedeck is easiest to learn if you start with one column and add more as you get comfortable. The steps below cover a typical first session after you install the program.
- Open the app and sign in with your existing Nostr keys or create a new identity.
- Add a column for your home feed so you can see the accounts you follow.
- Add a second column for a specific profile or hashtag you want to track.
- Open a profile to view its details, then edit your own profile if you want to update your name, picture or bio.
- Use Dave to search or summarize a thread, and compare its answer with the original posts.
- To send a tip, open a post you like, choose the zap option and confirm the amount with your Lightning-capable wallet.
After a few sessions, rearrange columns so the feeds you read most often sit closest to your main working area.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with public source code on GitHub
- TweetDeck-style column layout for following several feeds at once
- Built-in Lightning zaps for tipping creators with Bitcoin
- Image and GIF support, including uploads
- Cross-platform, with Windows, macOS, Linux and Android builds
- Includes Dave, an AI assistant for searching and analyzing Nostr content
- Still a beta release, so features and interface may change between versions
- Requires basic familiarity with Nostr concepts such as keys and relays
- Zap tipping needs a separate Lightning-capable wallet
- The AI assistant's summaries should be checked against the original posts
Is Notedeck safe?
Notedeck handles Nostr keys and can send Lightning payments, so treat installation as a security task. Download the program only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and avoid copies on third-party download sites. After downloading, verify the SHA-256 checksum or digital signature if the release provides one, and stop if the values do not match. Never enter your private key or seed phrase on any third-party website, including sites that claim to offer upgrades or verification. Keep your system's protection enabled, and check the latest version on the official website before you install an update.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/damus-io/notedeck. 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
Several Nostr clients share the same network, so the differences lie mostly in layout and extras. Vega is also a cross-platform desktop client for Nostr, so it is a natural comparison if you want a traditional desktop app. Nostrid offers builds for Android, Windows, macOS and Linux, which makes it a good choice if you want one client across all your devices. Keychat and Baywallet take a different approach by adding chat and wallet functions alongside Nostr. Notedeck's main distinctions are its TweetDeck-style columns, its zap tipping and its built-in AI assistant, Dave.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.10.0-beta.4
- Last update
- 18 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/damus-io/notedeck
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Notedeck is free and open source. You can download the ready-made program from the official website or GitHub, and you can also read the source code and build it yourself. Free access does not mean you should skip checking the download, since you are handling your Nostr keys and possibly Lightning payments.
Yes, Notedeck is available as a Windows build or installer. You can get it from the official website or the GitHub Releases page for the project. The app also runs on macOS, Linux and Android, so Windows users are not limited to a single platform.
Notedeck is safe to install when you take basic precautions. Use the official download source, verify the checksum or signature when it is published, and keep your private key away from third-party websites. The biggest risks come from fake copies of the program and phishing pages, not from the app itself.
Nostr is a decentralized protocol for social networking. Posts are sent to independent servers called relays rather than to one company's platform. Your identity is based on cryptographic keys, which lets you use the same account across different Nostr apps.
Yes, Notedeck supports zaps, which are small tips sent to content creators using Bitcoin over the Lightning Network. You need a Lightning-capable wallet to send them. Zapping is a common way to reward posts you find useful on Nostr.
Dave is the AI assistant built into Notedeck. It can search and analyze Nostr content, such as helping you summarize a thread or find related posts. Its answers are a starting point, so check the original posts before relying on them.
The latest release is v0.10.0-beta.4, which means the program is still in beta. Expect some features to change and occasional rough edges as development continues. Beta software is suitable for users who are comfortable reporting issues and updating often.
Verdict
Notedeck is a strong pick for Nostr users who want a desktop client with a TweetDeck-style column layout, zap tipping and an AI assistant in one free program. It suits power users, researchers, creators and developers who want to read the source code. Newcomers who are still learning about keys and relays may want to spend time with the basics first. Because it is a beta, use it alongside your existing tools and keep your private keys backed up safely.