Pyramid is a free, open-source Nostr relay for people who want to run a closed community server and decide exactly who can join. It is built on khatru and written in Go, and it adds an invite hierarchy: every member is brought in by someone already inside, forming a tree of trust. It suits self-hosters, small groups and developers who want to experiment with Nostr infrastructure.
Pyramid is a server, not a desktop chat app, so there is no window to open once it runs. The code builds for Windows, so check the GitHub Releases page for a ready-to-run file, and the project also lists Docker as a platform. The latest release is v0.3.2, and the last code update was made on April 25, 2025. Review the repository's recent activity before relying on it for anything important.
What Is a Nostr Relay and Why Run One?
Nostr is an open protocol where users sign their messages with cryptographic keys, and the messages are passed between servers called relays. A relay stores events and delivers them to the clients that ask for them. Anyone can run a relay, and each operator decides what to keep, whom to serve and what rules to apply.
That design makes relays the infrastructure layer of the network. Clients such as Gossip or Amethyst handle reading and posting, while relays determine where content lives and who can reach it. Running your own relay means you control that layer for your own group, instead of depending entirely on public servers.
A private relay is useful when a group wants a space that outsiders cannot browse. It also gives operators a way to test software, watch traffic patterns and understand how Nostr moves data between machines.
How a Web-of-Trust Invitation Tree Works
A web of trust is a model where people vouch for one another instead of relying on a central authority. In Pyramid, the first member sits at the top, and each later member joins through someone who is already inside. The result is a chain of introductions that can be traced back to the root.
For an administrator, the tree answers a practical question: who brought this account in? If a newcomer behaves well, the person who invited them gains credibility. If an account causes trouble, the tree shows which branch it came from, so you can decide how carefully to review other members who share that origin.
The approach works best with small, deliberate communities. A tree that grows slowly, with each invitation based on personal knowledge, is easier to keep healthy than one that adds people without any check.
Who Can Benefit From a Closed Relay
A family or friend group might use a private relay to share posts without exposing them to the wider network. A classroom or workshop can set up a closed space where students practice Nostr with clients they install themselves. A small project team can keep its discussions on infrastructure that it controls.
Developers form another group. Someone building a Nostr application may want a local relay for testing, with predictable rules and no dependence on a public server that could change under them. Because the code is in Go and open, it is possible to study how an invite-based relay is structured.
There are trade-offs. A closed relay will not reach strangers, and it needs someone willing to host it, keep it updated and review invitations. For many groups, those responsibilities are the point, since they keep control in the hands of the people who use the space.
Key features
Invite-only access
Invitation tree
Built on khatru
Docker support
Supported coins
Pyramid works with the Nostr protocol, and its documentation names Nostr as the network it serves. It is a relay rather than a wallet or exchange tool, so it does not manage coins or balances.
How to install Pyramid on Windows
- 1
Find the release
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/github-tijlxyz/khatru-pyramid. Look for a Windows build among the release files. If none is listed, plan to use the Docker route described in the last step.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published on the release page, and check a signature if the project provides one. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash followed by the file path and compare the output. If the values do not match, do not run the file.
-
Install and run
Extract the archive to a folder of your choice and start the relay from a terminal to confirm it launches. If you prefer containers, run Pyramid through Docker, which the project lists as a supported platform, and keep its data in a folder you back up regularly.
How to use Pyramid
Once the relay is running, most of the work is deciding who gets in and keeping the invitation tree tidy. The steps below assume you have a working server and a Nostr client to test with.
- Start the relay and confirm it responds on the local machine.
- Decide who will be the first member and treat that account as the root of your tree.
- Issue invitations from the root account to a small group you trust.
- Ask each new member to connect with a Nostr client and check that they can publish.
- Review the tree regularly to see who invited whom and whether the branches look healthy.
- Back up your relay data before you update to a new release, so you can restore the community if something breaks.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with the code available for review
- Invite-only access keeps the relay limited to people you choose
- The invitation tree makes trust relationships easy to see
- Docker support lets you isolate the relay from other software
- It is a server, so it is not useful for someone who only wants a desktop social app
- The simplest Windows path depends on whether a ready-made build is listed in the releases
- The last code update was on April 25, 2025, so activity may be slower than in newer projects
Is Pyramid safe?
Download Pyramid only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page for github-tijlxyz/khatru-pyramid, and avoid mirrors or files shared in chat. Check the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running anything, since a modified server binary could log or misuse the traffic it handles. The last code update was on April 25, 2025, which is recent enough to consider but not a reason to skip reviewing the repository's issues and commits. Antivirus tools may flag new server binaries, so investigate any alert rather than disabling protection. Never paste your Nostr private key, often shown as nsec, into a website or a setup form. Run the relay on a machine you control, keep Windows updated and limit who can log in to that host.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/github-tijlxyz/khatru-pyramid. 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
Pyramid sits in a different category from most programs in this catalog. Amethyst, Gossip, Coop, Vega and Blockcore Notes are clients you use to read and post Nostr content, while Pyramid runs the server that stores and relays those messages. NAK and Nostr Commander RS are command-line tools, which suit scripting and testing rather than hosting a community. Nostr VPN uses Nostr for signaling in a mesh VPN, a different goal altogether. If you want a place to read and post, choose a client; if you want to host a closed community, Pyramid is the relevant option.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.3.2
- Last update
- 25 Apr 2025
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/github-tijlxyz/khatru-pyramid
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Pyramid is free and open source, so you can download the code, read it and run it without paying a license fee. Your costs depend on the computer or server you choose to host it on. Check the project page for any changes to its licensing before you deploy it.
No. Pyramid is a relay, which means it stores and passes along Nostr events, but it does not provide a feed or a chat window. Members connect with a separate Nostr client such as Gossip or Amethyst. Many people use one relay for a private group and public relays for wider reach.
Pyramid's code builds for Windows, so you can use it on that system. Check the GitHub Releases page first for a ready-made file. If no Windows build is listed, you can run the relay through Docker or build it yourself with the Go toolchain, then verify the result before you rely on it.
An invitation tree records who invited whom, starting from the first member. Each new person joins through an existing one, so the structure branches like a family tree. This helps administrators see where trust comes from and which members brought in a particular account.
Safety depends largely on the host. Nostr events are signed, so people can verify who wrote them, but the relay operator can still see what passes through and what gets stored. Run the relay on hardware you control, keep it updated and avoid sending anything you would not share with the operator.
The latest release is v0.3.2, and the last code update was on April 25, 2025. Check the repository's recent commits and open issues to see whether the maintainers are still responding to problems. For a small open-source project, recent activity is the clearest signal available.
Verdict
Pyramid suits people who want a private Nostr relay with clear control over membership. If you run a small community, a classroom or a family group and want to decide who can join, it offers a readable invitation tree and open code. It is not a desktop app, and it is not the right pick if you only want to read and post on Nostr. Before you deploy Pyramid for Windows or any other platform, check the latest release and recent commits on GitHub, since the last code update was in April 2025.