# Nostr: What is a Nostr signer?

A signer is software or a device that approves and creates cryptographic signatures for your Nostr events.

2026-08-14
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Switchboard Tech Services


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## Short answer

A signer is software or a device that approves and creates cryptographic signatures for your Nostr events. It lets a client ask to publish without necessarily storing your private key itself. Signers can be local browser extensions or remote services. Review what each client asks to sign, protect the signer, and understand that approving a harmful event still publishes it under your identity.

## Sources

[NIP-07: Browser signers](https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/blob/master/07.md), [NIP-46: Remote signing](https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/blob/master/46.md).

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Canonical URL: https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/nostr-what-is-a-nostr-signer/

Language: en-us

Content type: guide

Author: Switchboard Tech Services

Published: 2026-08-15T04:30:07+00:00

Description: A practical answer to What is a Nostr signer?