Why AlbyHub?
Whether it’s for family, friends, or a community – with your own Alby Hub, you’re helping to spread Lightning and drive decentralization forward. By sharing sub-wallets, you’re showing that it’s possible to provide this kind of service – and might just inspire others to try it too. NWC still has many possibilities ahead – we’re just getting started!
AlbyHub is free and open source software (FOSS) that acts as a bridge between a funding source and various applications. You can self-host AlbyHub in different ways and connect it to a funding source. Here are a few options.
Option 1: Your own Full⚡Node
Do you already have your own Lightning Node, such as a RaspiBlitz, Umbrel, or Start9? Then it’s super easy: these platforms offer one-click installations for the Alby Hub. The connection to your funding source – your Lightning Node – is set up automatically.
Once installed, you’ll receive a link you can open in your browser. That brings you directly to the Alby Hub dashboard – ready to go! You can start by setting up sub-wallets for friends and family, for example.
Note: To learn how to link your Alby Hub to your Alby account, check out the Alby Hub FAQs.
Option 2: Minimal Lightning⚡Node
You don’t need much for a minimal Lightning Node – even a Raspberry Pi Zero or an old laptop can do the job! Alby Hub is lightweight and doesn’t require much in terms of system resources.
Once set up, your device runs a minimal Lightning Node. You can then open a Lightning⚡channel to a Lightning Service Provider (LSP).
Now just connect it to your Alby account – and you’re ready to go! From there, you can onboard friends and family.
Option 3: Professional setup with Alby Cloud
If you don’t run your own full Lightning Node or prefer a professionally managed setup, check out the Alby Pro Cloud option. It’s easy and secure, with automatic backups included.
Since Alby Cloud runs on a virtual private server (VPS) where a Lightning Node is set up, this option comes with a cost.
You’ll still need to open a Lightning⚡channel to a Lightning Service Provider (LSP) – and that’s it! Your Node is online 24/7 and always up to date.
Let’s go!
With great power comes great responsibility, of course. 💡
To support you in the best possible way, we’ve prepared this guide. Using the Alby Cloud as an example, we’ll walk you through setup and usage. Most of the documentation also applies to other Alby Hub installations – such as Full Node or Minimal Lightning Node setups.
Alby Cloud is particularly suitable for community solutions, as it runs on professional cloud hosting systems. Several users can share the cost, keeping individual expenses manageable.
Installation
Installing and setting up the Alby Cloud solution is simple, as you’re guided through the entire process.
- During the setup, you’ll receive a 12-word seed for your node. 📝 Be sure to store it securely!
- After that, all you need to do is open a Lightning⚡channel – and that’s it in terms of node management.
But as always, the devil is in the details. So here’s a step-by-step guide to help ensure everything goes smoothly. To better understand the process, check out the installation screenshots.
- You’re hosting a system for others, so you should think about a backup plan. What happens if you’re on vacation or unwell? Who can manage the system then? Find a trusted person and set up the system together if possible.
- The cloud solution requires an account to log in – at getAlby.com. You’ll need an email address for this account. If you forget the password or prefer not to memorize it, you can request a one-time login code instead.
- During the setup, you’ll receive various important access credentials. To keep track of them all, we’ve created an Alby Operator Template for you.
- Register a shared email address and create an Alby account that both of you can access. Then start the installation by visiting albyhub.com. If you received a voucher from the EINUNDZWANZIG association, use the provided link.
Tip: For an online session with screen sharing, you can use Brave Talk. It’s free and doesn’t require installation. - In the selection window, choose Alby Pro Cloud and click “Start with …”. Accept the subscription terms, pay the invoice (if applicable) – and you’re good to go.
- First, your Alby Hub with a mini Lightning Node will be set up on the cloud server. After that, you’ll be taken to the “Welcome to Alby Hub” page.
- The installation is intuitive and well guided. You can find a visual step-by-step guide in the installation screenshots.
- Opening a Lightning Channel
First, you need to open a channel to a Lightning Service Provider (LSP). A suitable LSP will be suggested automatically, but you can also choose a different one manually.- Opening a 1,000,000 satoshi channel costs around 20,000 satoshis.
- This fee covers the on-chain fee as well as the service fees of the LSP for providing inbound liquidity, allowing you to receive Lightning Satoshis immediately.
- Linking to your Alby Account
After the channel has been opened, your Alby Hub is automatically linked to your Alby Account, since you registered it for the Cloud service. Static channel backups will now also be stored in your Alby Account. However, you still need to go to “Connections > Link your Alby Account” and give your Alby Account – with Lightning⚡address and browser extension – limited or full access to your node’s wallet. - First deposit to the Alby Hub Wallet
After opening the channel, you need to fund the Alby Hub Wallet with an initial payment.- Since you received a channel with inbound liquidity, you initially lack outbound liquidity (Satoshis on your side).
- If you deposit 1,000 Satoshis, about 354 Satoshis will be reserved for a future channel close.
- Your visible wallet balance will therefore only show 646 Satoshis.
- Creating a Friends & Family Sub-Wallet
You can now create your first Friends & Family Sub-Wallet.- This dedicated wallet uses the liquidity from the Alby Hub channel.
- It starts with 0 Satoshis but can be topped up using the “Increase” function from the Hub’s liquidity.
- Connecting the Sub-Wallet to AlbyGo & other apps
Your friends, family, or community members can link the Sub-Wallet to their preferred app easily:
-> Option 1: Scan the QR code
-> Option 2: Copy the Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) string and paste it into an app like AlbyGo. - Explanation of the NWC strings for Sub-Wallets
🔹 On the “Friends & Family” page, next to the QR code, there’s a “Copy” button to copy the NWC string to your clipboard for sharing.
🔹 The same NWC string also appears under “Alby Extension” & “Other NWC Applications.”
🔹 The link under “Alby Account” also contains the NWC string – but it leads directly to getalby.com, where users can link or unlink it from their currently logged-in browser account. - 🔴 Important Notice!⚠️
The user must save the NWC string securely, as it is only displayed once. Even you, as admins, will not be able to retrieve it later.
⚠️ It is not recommended to store the string (key) for users – responsibility lies solely with them. - Secure your access key (seed)!
At the end, you’ll be reminded to securely store the seed for your Alby Hub node. This seed is essential to regain access to your on-chain Satoshis at any time.
🔹 Worst-case scenario: If your node crashes and you lose access to it, the Lightning channel will eventually be force-closed by the counterparty.
🔹 What happens then? Around two weeks later, the remaining funds from the channel should be available in your on-chain wallet.
🔹 For more info, visit the official Backups & Recover page.
💡 Be sure to store the seed in a safe place – without it, there’s no way to recover your coins!
Setup complete! ✅
That’s it – setup is complete! 🎉
📌 On the Alby Hub dashboard, you’ll find the most important sections:
🔹 Connections: Overview of configured sub-wallets and their balances.
🔹 Wallet: Displays the balance and transaction history of the entire node.
🔹 App Store: Access to many useful apps like ZapPlanner and various Nostr clients.
🔹 Node & Settings: Helpful info and settings to manage your node.
Enjoy using Alby Hub! 🚀 Let’s make the world a little better together! 🌍⚡
Further Links
AlbyHub FAQs
https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-account-and-browser-extension/alby-hub/faq-alby-hub
Alby system status – check for service outages
Since 891678 / 891795 🤙