Why I Built Nostr KeyGen
Over the past months, I kept running into the same small problem:
I often needed new Nostr accounts.
Sometimes I was developing a feature and needed a quick test identity. Other times I wanted to show a friend how Nostr works, and I didn’t want to confuse them with too many technical steps. And then there were moments when I just wanted to spin up a fresh identity without having to install yet another client app.
The more I worked with Nostr, the more I realized:
There was no lightweight, no-nonsense tool just for creating identities… or at least I didn’t find one 🙄
So I built one myself.
That’s how Nostr KeyGen was born.
The Problem I Wanted to Solve
There are some great clients, polished apps, and entire ecosystems being built. But when it came to just generating a keypair, I kept hitting friction.
- Developers often want throwaway keys to test new ideas.
- Non-technical people want to see how easy it can be without installing a full-blown client.
- And sometimes you just want to own your keys in multiple formats — npub, nsec, hex — without juggling confusing tools.
What was missing was a bridge:
a tool that was simple enough for curious newcomers and flexible enough for developers.
Two Paths: Python Script & Webapp
That’s why I ended up creating two flavors of Nostr KeyGen.
1. The Python Script
A lightweight, dependency-free script that runs locally:
- No external libraries
- No clipboard hacks
- No hidden complexity
Just a clean menu that lets you generate, view, and export your keys.
It also includes a format converter - so you can switch between npub, nsec, and raw hex.
This version is perfect for tinkerers and developers who want something trustworthy they can run on their own machine.
2. The Webapp
A one-click web interface for creating a Nostr identity, built with the NostrTools library.
It’s designed for the people I often introduce to Nostr: friends, family, colleagues. Instead of sending them to GitHub or asking them to install something, I can just point them to this simple page:
- Generate a fresh Nostr identity in seconds
- Save a backup safely
- Set up your basic profile
That way, non-technical people can experience the magic of Nostr without getting lost in the details.
Why This Matters to Me
For me, Nostr KeyGen is about accessibility.
I wanted a tool that serves two audiences:
- Developers, who sometimes need 10 test accounts in five minutes
- Non-technical people, who just need to see how easy and fast Nostr identity creation really is
Building this wasn’t about adding yet another client to the ecosystem.
It was about creating something minimal and transparent.
Because Nostr, at its core, is about empowerment.
Your keys = your identity.
And creating them shouldn’t feel intimidating.
Try It Yourself
- Python Script → Nostr_Key_Generator on GitHub
- Webapp → nostrid.mybuho.de
Both versions are lightweight, safe, and designed to be approachable — whether you’re writing code or just curious.
Final Thoughts
I built Nostr KeyGen because I kept running into the same small but important need:
a fast, simple, and trustworthy way to create Nostr identities.
It started as a tool for myself, but it quickly became something I now share with others - developers, friends, and anyone who wants to explore.
Sometimes, the best tools aren’t the most complex.
They’re the ones that remove obstacles and make the basics effortless.
Thansk for Reading ✌🏼