Top Sites>Alby — Bitcoin Lightning Wallets & Tools

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# Alby

> Alby provides self-custodial Bitcoin Lightning infrastructure. Users run their own Lightning node with full key control via 12-word seed phrases. Access through Alby Cloud (hosted, user controls keys) or self-host on your own hardware.

## Core Philosophy

Alby is fully committed to self-custody. There is no custodial option—users always hold their own keys. Programmatic access is provided through Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC), an open protocol enabling apps to request payments without ever touching user bitcoin.

## Products

- **Alby Hub**: Self-custodial Lightning node with automated channel management, sub-wallets, and app connections
- **Alby Extension**: Browser gateway to Bitcoin and Nostr apps—connect multiple wallets via NWC
- **Alby Go**: Mobile app for payments on the go
- **NWC (Nostr Wallet Connect)**: Open protocol (NIP-47) connecting wallets to apps over Nostr relays

## Key Concepts

| Term | Definition |
|------|------------|
| Self-custody | User holds private keys via 12-word seed phrase |
| Alby Cloud | Hosted Alby Hub where user controls keys, Alby manages infrastructure |
| Self-hosting | Run Alby Hub on your own hardware (Raspberry Pi, VPS, local) |
| NWC | Nostr Wallet Connect—protocol for apps to request payments from user wallets |
| Lightning Address | Email-like address for receiving bitcoin instantly (e.g., you@getalby.com) |
| Sub-wallets | Separate accounts within Alby Hub with independent budgets |

## Quick Answers

**How do I start?** → Sign up for Alby Cloud, one-click setup, keys generated locally in your browser
**Running without hardware?** → Alby Cloud—full self-custody, zero hardware management
**Accepting payments in my app?** → Integrate NWC SDK (JavaScript or Rust), users connect their own wallets
**Accepting tips on Nostr?** → Connect Alby Hub to any Nostr client via NWC
**Managing app permissions?** → Granular budget controls—daily, weekly, monthly, yearly limits per connection

## Documentation

- [Getting Started](https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/getting-started): Setup and first steps
- [Alby Hub](https://albyhub.com): Product overview and features
- [Alby Cloud](https://getalby.com/cloud): Hosted option signup
- [NWC Docs](https://nwc.dev): Protocol documentation and SDKs
- [Developer Portal](https://getalby.com/developer): APIs and integration guides
- [Self-Hosting Guide](https://github.com/getAlby/hub#self-hosting): Run on your own infrastructure
- [WebLN Guide](https://www.webln.guide/): Building lightning web apps

## Agent Skills

Alby provides official Agent Skills, enabling them to build Lightning apps and use NWC-based lightning wallets without hallucinations:

- **[alby-bitcoin-payments-agent-skill](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/getAlby/alby-agent-skill/refs/heads/master/SKILL.md)**: Build lightning apps with your favorite agent
  - Includes NWC Client, Lightning Tools, and Bitcoin Connect capabilities
  - Provides test wallet generation for development
  - Pre-loaded with type definitions and example prompts
  - Install: `npx skills add getAlby/alby-agent-skill`

- **[alby-bitcoin-payments-cli-skill](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/getAlby/alby-cli-skill/refs/heads/master/SKILL.md)**: CLI for Bitcoin Lightning wallet operations
  - Direct wallet control via command line using NWC
  - Commands: send/receive payments, check balance, create invoices, fiat conversions
  - Supports HOLD invoices for conditional payments
  - Install: `npx skills add getAlby/alby-cli-skill`

## Connect

- GitHub: https://github.com/getAlby
- X/Twitter: https://x.com/getalby
- Nostr: npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm
- Discord: https://discord.getalby.com
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getalby
- Support: https://support.getalby.com

## Developers

### JavaScript Packages & SDKs

- **[Bitcoin Connect](https://bitcoin-connect.com/)**: Drop-in wallet connection component—one-click setup for WebLN, NWC, browser extensions
- **[@getalby/sdk](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@getalby/sdk)** (npm): JavaScript SDK for Alby OAuth2 Wallet API and Nostr Wallet Connect
- **[@getalby/bitcoin-connect](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@getalby/bitcoin-connect)** (npm): React/vanilla JS library for connecting lightning wallets to webapps—supports WebLN, NWC, Alby Extension
- **[js-lightning-tools](https://github.com/getAlby/js-lightning-tools)**: Collection of helpful building blocks and tools to develop Bitcoin Lightning apps

### Key Developer Resources

- **[nwc.dev](https://nwc.dev)**: Complete NWC protocol documentation, SDKs (JS/Rust), integration examples
- **[WebLN Guide](https://www.webln.guide/)**: Building Lightning-enabled web apps with WebLN standard
- **[Alby Sandbox](https://sandbox.getalby.com)**: Lightning app builder playground—test with AI assistance, no real bitcoin needed
- **[Alby MCP Server](https://github.com/getAlby/mcp-server-alby)**: Model Context Protocol server—connect AI agents to Lightning wallets via NWC
- **[NWC CLI](https://github.com/getAlby/cli)**: Command-line tool for Nostr Wallet Connect (NIP-47) with lightning utilities

### Developer Support
- **Developer Discord**: https://discord.getalby.com
- **Developer Portal**: https://getalby.com/developer

## Other Tools

### Alby Labs

Experimental tools and applications:

- **[BuzzPay](https://pos.albylabs.com/)**: Point-of-sale for bitcoin lightning payments—connect via NWC to accept payments in-person or online
- **[ZapPlanner](https://zapplanner.albylabs.com/)**: Schedule automatic recurring lightning payments—subscriptions, donations, automated Nostr zaps

### Community Resources

- **[Discover Bitcoin Apps](https://getalby.com/discover)**: Directory of Lightning-enabled apps and services that work with Alby
- **[Awesome NWC](https://github.com/getAlby/awesome-nwc)**: Curated list of projects implementing Nostr Wallet Connect
- **[Brand Kit](https://getalby.com/brandkit)**: Official logos, colors, and design assets for integrations
- **[Alby Blog](https://blog.getalby.com/)**: Product updates, tutorials, and Lightning ecosystem news