NIP-46 describes remote signing so clients can request signatures from a signer without holding the user's private key locally.
What it standardizes
It reduces attack surface by keeping private keys in a dedicated signer, mobile app, hardware device or remote signing service rather than exposing them to every app.
- Protocol layer. NIP-46 is not a consumer product. It is a convention that clients, relays or adjacent services may choose to support.
- Interoperability. The value is not that every app looks the same. The value is that different apps can understand the same signed data.
- Optionality. NIPs are implementation possibilities. Builders should implement the pieces that serve their product, security model and user journey.
Implementation notes
A client and signer communicate through relays. The client asks for operations; the signer authorizes and returns signatures or key information according to permission rules.
- Client responsibility. Clients need to explain the feature clearly because the user sees an experience, not a spec.
- Relay responsibility. Relays may support only the parts that fit their storage, moderation, authentication and business model.
- Indexing responsibility. Search, discovery and context often require extra indexers or opinionated clients on top of the raw protocol.
Crays relevance
Crays can use Nostr Connect-style onboarding to make web login feel familiar while preserving Nostr-native identity and safer key custody.
- Crays.net. Profiles, creator pages and social proof need portable identity rather than a closed account table.
- Crays World. Real venues need local context, member state, reputation and payments that can survive app changes.
- DAO path. Future governance needs signed identity, membership context and auditable participation signals.
Risks and design discipline
Remote signing adds UX and availability complexity. If users do not understand the signer relationship, they may approve too much or lose access.
- Do not overpromise. A NIP gives a shared format. It does not magically solve onboarding, moderation, UX or custody.
- Keep the private key away. Any feature that increases private-key exposure increases the attack surface.
- Use plain language. Most users need outcomes: login, pay, publish, vote, prove status, access a venue.