Creating Your Account

Creating a Nostria account is different from traditional social media—it's simpler, more private, and gives you true ownership. Let's walk through the process.

The Two-Click Sign-Up

Nostria uses cryptographic keys instead of traditional usernames and passwords:

  1. Visit nostria.app or open the Nostria app
  2. Click "Sign Up" or "Get Started"
  3. Your keys are generated automatically
  4. You're in! No email, no phone number, no verification code

That's it! You now have a decentralized identity that you truly own.

Understanding Your Keys

After signup, you'll receive two keys:

Public Key (npub...)

  • What it is: Your unique identifier on Nostr
  • Like a username: Others use this to find and tag you
  • Safe to share: Post it publicly, put it in your bio, share everywhere
  • Format: Starts with npub1... (Bech32 encoded)

Example: npub1a2b3c4d5e6f7g8h9i0j1k2l3m4n5o6p7q8r9s0t1u2v3w4x5y6z

Private Key (nsec...)

  • What it is: Your secret password that proves you are you
  • Like a master password: Controls your entire account
  • NEVER share: Anyone with this key controls your account
  • Format: Starts with nsec1... (Bech32 encoded)

Example: nsec1x9y8z7w6v5u4t3s2r1q0p9o8n7m6l5k4j3i2h1g0f9e8d7c6b5a

🔐 Critical: Save Your Private Key

⚠️ There is NO password reset!

If you lose your private key, you lose access to your account forever. There's no company to contact, no recovery email, no reset option.

How to Save Your Private Key Safely

Choose one or more methods:

  • Use 1Password, Bitwarden, KeePass, or similar
  • Create a secure note with your private key
  • Label it clearly: "Nostria Private Key"
  • Enable strong master password

Option 2: Physical Backup

  • Write your private key on paper
  • Store in a safe, lockbox, or secure location
  • Consider making multiple copies in different locations
  • Keep away from water, fire, and prying eyes

Option 3: Encrypted File

  • Save to an encrypted USB drive or external storage
  • Use tools like VeraCrypt for encryption
  • Store the drive in a secure location
  • Remember your encryption password!

Option 4: Multiple Backups

  • Best practice: Use ALL of the above!
  • Redundancy protects against loss
  • Different methods protect against different risks

What NOT to Do

❌ Don't save it in plain text on your computer ❌ Don't email it to yourself ❌ Don't screenshot it without encryption ❌ Don't share it with anyone (even "support") ❌ Don't store it only in browser autofill ❌ Don't trust only your memory

Alternative: Login Extension

For easier login while maintaining security:

Using a Browser Extension

  • nos2x (Chrome, Firefox): Nostr key manager
  • Alby (Chrome, Firefox): Bitcoin and Nostr wallet
  • Flamingo (Chrome): Nostr signer

These extensions:

  • Store your key securely
  • Sign messages without exposing your key
  • Work across Nostr apps
  • Require one password to unlock

Install one, save your key there, and use it for safer logins.

Verifying Your Account

After creating your account:

  1. Copy your public key (npub)
  2. Try finding yourself: Search for your public key in Nostria
  3. Verify it appears: You should see your blank profile

If it works, your account is active!

Setting Up Basic Information

Now personalize your account:

  1. Click Profile or Settings
  2. Add a Display Name (what people see)
  3. Write a short Bio (introduce yourself)
  4. Upload a Profile Picture (avatar)
  5. Optionally add:
    • Banner image
    • Website
    • Lightning address (for tips)
    • Other social media links

Learn more about profile setup →

Understanding Nostr Identity

Your keys are your identity in the Nostr network:

  • Portable: Use them with any Nostr client, not just Nostria
  • Permanent: Your identity follows you forever
  • Sovereign: You own it, no company can take it away
  • Interoperable: Works across all Nostr apps

Multi-Device Access

Want to use Nostria on multiple devices?

Logging in on Additional Devices

  1. Install Nostria on the new device
  2. Choose "Login" or "Import Account"
  3. Enter your private key (nsec)
  4. You're logged in!

Your profile, posts, and connections sync automatically.

Security Consideration

Only import your private key on:

  • ✅ Devices you own and control
  • ✅ Devices with good security (password, encryption)
  • ✅ Devices not shared with others

Be careful on:

  • ⚠️ Public computers
  • ⚠️ Work computers
  • ⚠️ Shared family devices

Account Recovery

If you lose access to your account:

If You Have Your Private Key

  1. Install Nostria on a new device
  2. Import your private key
  3. You're back!

If You Lost Your Private Key

  • Unfortunately, the account cannot be recovered
  • You'll need to create a new account
  • Let your followers know about your new identity
  • This is the trade-off for true decentralization

Prevention is the only cure! Save your key securely.

Switching Accounts

Using multiple accounts:

  1. In Nostria: Look for account switcher in settings
  2. Add Account: Import another private key
  3. Switch: Toggle between accounts easily

Use different accounts for:

  • Personal vs. Professional
  • Different communities
  • Testing or development
  • Privacy and anonymity

Deleting Your Account

Want to delete your account?

Important: Nostr is decentralized, so you can't truly "delete" posts from all relays. However:

  1. Go to Settings → Account
  2. Find Delete Account option
  3. Confirm deletion
  4. Nostria will:
    • Delete local data
    • Send deletion requests to relays
    • Stop broadcasting your profile

Note: Some relays may still have cached data. This is inherent to decentralization.

Account Security Best Practices

✅ Save your private key in multiple secure locations ✅ Never share your private key with anyone ✅ Use strong device passwords/encryption ✅ Keep devices updated and secure ✅ Be cautious on public WiFi ✅ Use a Nostr signing extension for better security ✅ Regularly verify your backups work

Next Steps

Now that your account is created:

  1. Take your first steps →
  2. Set up your profile →
  3. Make your first post →

Common Questions

Q: Can I change my keys later? A: No, your keys are permanent. Create a new account if needed.

Q: What if someone gets my private key? A: They control your account. There's no way to recover it. Create a new account immediately.

Q: Do I need different keys for different Nostr apps? A: No! One set of keys works everywhere on Nostr.

Q: Can I use a custom username? A: Not exactly, but you can set a display name and get a NIP-05 identifier for easier discovery.

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