Collective thoughts on Nostr: Suggestion: Crucial User Onboarding Improvement: Implementing SimpleX-Style Universal ...

Suggestion: Crucial User Onboarding Improvement: Implementing SimpleX-Style Universal Links for Nostr



Hi Nostr Developers,
I'm working on a personal website (like a Linktree) to make it easy for people to connect with me on various platforms, including Nostr. My primary goal is to simplify the connection process for anyone, especially users unfamiliar with Nostr.
Currently, linking to a Nostr profile from a website is a major hurdle for casual users. Simply providing an ID or a basic nostr: link often doesn't lead to a smooth experience. Users get confused if they don't have a client or don't understand the protocol.
The Ideal Onboarding Flow (Inspired by SimpleX):
I believe the best approach is implementing robust Universal Links (or similar deep linking technology) with a proper fallback
mechanism, similar to how SimpleX works:
1. User clicks a Nostr link on a website.
2. If a compatible Nostr client is installed: The link *directly opens the client* to my profile or initiates a DM chat.
3. If *no* compatible client is installed: The link redirects to a well-designed, trustworthy landing page. This page should:
* Clearly explain what Nostr is (in simple terms).
* Build confidence and trust in the protocol.
* Guide the user on how to download a recommended client.
4. After installing a client, the user clicks the original link again: This time, step 2 should work, opening the newly installed client directly to the profile.

Why Current Nostr Solutions Fall Short:
• nostr: While standardized, they act like old (app: schemes) They don't provide the crucial fallback to an explanatory website for new users.
• 0xchat approach (app: & intent: buttons): While it includes a landing page, it uses outdated linking methods (app:/intent:) which are less reliable than Universal Links. More importantly, the landing page itself (based on user feedback) doesn't effectively build trust for newcomers.
• njump: While useful for some cases, it's often confusing for casual users trying to *connect* or *message*. Furthermore, it doesn't fit my primary use case (using Nostr as a secure messenger for DMs), as I need the link to open a client compatible with specific messaging features (like Double Ratchet), not just a general profile view. A Universal Link needs to handle this *messaging intent* correctly.
• Partial Universal Link Implementations (e.g., Primal on Android): Some clients attempt Universal Links, but inconsistent or buggy implementations (like opening the web page instead of the app on Android) break the desired seamless flow.

Previous Discussion:
https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/pull/1855
I've seen discussions which touched on using Nostr Addresses (NIP-05) for easier linking. While NIP-05 improves addresses, that discussion didn't fully capture the critical need for the *complete user onboarding flow* described above – the robust Universal Link + trustworthy, explanatory website fallback. Combining NIP-05 with this Universal Link + fallback strategy would be ideal for public profiles.

My Request:
I urge Nostr client developers (especially those building messaging-focused clients) and NIP authors to prioritize the implementation of robust Universal Links that include a well-designed, user-friendly website fallback providing clear information and download guidance for new users.
This feature is not just a technical detail; it's essential for improving user experience, building trust, and enabling wider adoption of Nostr among non-technical individuals. The SimpleX team has demonstrated how effective this flow can be.


Thank you for considering this crucial user-centric improvement.
@_@jeffg.fyi
@nprofile1qyt8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnswf5k6ctv9ehx2aqqyzaljga2jfrqvhugcsx8mxlkrnxvplelelcxt2xt9l6vlwmzpz83untyg3p
@w783@0xchat.com
@alex@primal.net
@_@simplex.chat

#asknostr