Using nostr-mail with Nostr Clients¶

nostr-mail uses the same Nostr keypairs (nsec/npriv format) that you use with other Nostr clients. This means you can use the same identity across nostr-mail and other Nostr applications, allowing you to seamlessly bridge email and Nostr social networking.

Compatible Clients¶

Amethyst¶

Amethyst is a Nostr client for Android that works well with nostr-mail. You can safely use the same private key in both applications.

To use your Amethyst keypair with nostr-mail: 1. In Amethyst, navigate to your account settings 2. Copy your private key (nsec format) 3. In nostr-mail, go to Settings → Nostr Settings 4. Paste your private key in the "Import Keypair" field 5. Your profile and contacts will sync automatically

Damus¶

Damus is a popular Nostr client for iOS and macOS. While it can work with nostr-mail, there are important considerations:

⚠️ Critical Warning: Damus Key Management

If you plan to use your nostr-mail private key with Damus, you must back up your private key before importing it into Damus. Here's why:

Profile Deletion: When you import a private key into Damus, it will delete any existing profile associated with that key
No Key Export: Damus does not provide a way to view or export your private key after import
Permanent Loss: If you don't have a backup of your private key before importing it to Damus, you will permanently lose access to your Nostr identity

Safe Workflow: 1. First: Export/backup your private key from nostr-mail (Settings → Nostr Settings) 2. Then: Import the key into Damus if desired 3. Remember: Keep your private key backup secure - you'll need it to access your identity in other clients

Alternative Approach: If you want to use Damus alongside nostr-mail, consider: - Using separate keypairs for each application - Or, only importing your Damus key into nostr-mail (not the other way around)

How nostr-mail Uses Your Nostr Identity¶

When you use your Nostr keypair with nostr-mail, it enables several features:

Profile Management¶

Your Nostr profile (name, bio, picture) is displayed in nostr-mail
You can update your profile from nostr-mail, and it will sync to the Nostr network
Your profile can include your email address, making it discoverable by other nostr-mail users

Contact Discovery¶

nostr-mail automatically loads your Nostr follow list as contacts
Contacts with email addresses in their profiles are prioritized
You can send encrypted emails to any contact who has published their email address

Direct Messages¶

Send and receive Nostr direct messages (DMs) alongside email
All DMs are encrypted using NIP-44 or NIP-04 encryption
DMs are linked to email conversations when relevant

Key Signing¶

Emails can be cryptographically signed with your Nostr private key
Recipients can verify that emails came from your Nostr identity
This provides authentication beyond traditional email signatures

Best Practices¶

Backup Your Keys: Always keep a secure backup of your private key (nsec/npriv format) before using it in multiple applications
Use Multiple Relays: Configure several Nostr relays in nostr-mail for better reliability and redundancy
Profile Consistency: Keep your email address consistent across your Nostr profile and email account for better discoverability
Key Security: Never share your private key. Only share your public key (npub format) with others

Troubleshooting¶

Profile Not Syncing¶

Ensure you're connected to at least one Nostr relay
Check that your relay settings are correct (Settings → Relay Settings)
Try refreshing your profile (Profile tab → Refresh)

Contacts Not Loading¶

Verify your relay connections are active
Make sure you have published a follow list on the Nostr network
Try adding more relays for better coverage

Key Import Issues¶

Ensure you're using the correct format (nsec or npriv)
Check that the key hasn't been corrupted (no extra spaces or line breaks)
Verify the key works in another Nostr client before importing