How to add Nostr MCP Server to Claude Desktop

Let AI models post notes and send Lightning zaps on the Nostr protocol. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 37★ · stdio · apikey

Claude Desktop config for Nostr MCP Server

npx -y @smithery/cli install @AbdelStark/nostr-mcp --client claude

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nostr-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@smithery/cli",
        "install",
        "@AbdelStark/nostr-mcp",
        "--client",
        "claude"
      ],
      "env": {
        "NOSTR_RELAYS": "wss://relay.damus.io,wss://relay.primal.net,wss://nos.lol",
        "NOSTR_NSEC_KEY": "your_nsec_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
2Paste the Nostr MCP Server config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
5Open a chat and confirm Nostr MCP Server's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

Node.js 18+
A Nostr private key (nsec) for the account that will post
One or more Nostr relay URLs (e.g. wss://relay.damus.io)

What Nostr MCP Server can do in Claude Desktop

post_note

Posts a new note to the Nostr network. Takes a `content` string and broadcasts it to the configured relays.

send_zap

Sends a Lightning zap to a Nostr user. Takes a `nip05Address` and an `amount` (in sats). Marked work-in-progress in the README.

Security

Requires your Nostr private key (NOSTR_NSEC_KEY, an `nsec` secret) to sign and publish notes on your behalf. Keep this key secret — anyone with it controls your Nostr identity. Posting and zapping take real actions on the public Nostr network. Configure relays via NOSTR_RELAYS.

Nostr MCP Server + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the Nostr MCP Server config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is Nostr MCP Server safe to use with Claude Desktop?

What transport does the server use?

It supports both stdio and SSE modes, selected via the SERVER_MODE environment variable. The Smithery install for Claude Desktop runs it over stdio; SSE mode listens on a configurable PORT (default 9000) for real-time communication.

What credentials does it need?

Your Nostr private key (NOSTR_NSEC_KEY, starting with `nsec`) so it can sign and publish notes as you, plus a comma-separated list of relay URLs in NOSTR_RELAYS.

Is the zap feature fully working?

The README marks send_zap (Lightning zaps) as work-in-progress, while post_note is the primary supported tool.

View repo Full Nostr MCP Server page