Forum Guidelines
Welcome! This forum works best when everyone treats it as a shared space. These guidelines describe the basic etiquette we expect from every member. They are not rigid rules so much as the habits that keep discussion useful, friendly, and worth coming back to.
Be respectful
Treat others the way you would want to be treated in person. Disagree with ideas, not people. Personal attacks, insults, harassment, and discriminatory language have no place here. A heated topic is no excuse for contempt: if a thread makes you angry, step away before replying.
Stay on topic
Post in the room that fits your subject, and keep replies relevant to the thread you are in. If a conversation drifts somewhere interesting, start a new thread for it rather than derailing the original one. Focused threads are easier for everyone to follow and to search later.
Before opening a new thread, search first: the topic may already be under discussion, and joining an existing conversation is better than splitting it. This matters especially in the Protocol room, where we keep one thread per NIP; start your title with the NIP number (for example NIP-29: unmanaged groups) so others can find it too.
Tag your discussions
Every new discussion asks for a tag. Pick the one that says what kind of post it is; it is the first thing people scan in a room, and later it is how they filter.
- question: you want an answer, or at least an opinion. The default in Help, and welcome everywhere.
- proposal: a change to a NIP, to how relays behave, or to this forum. State the problem before the solution.
- showcase: you are presenting a project for the first time. Say what it does, who it is for, and link it.
- release: a new version of something already known.
- news: something happened, and people should know.
- report: a bug, an incompatibility between clients or relays, or something you observed on a relay you run.
- meta: feedback about this forum itself: rooms, rules, the software.
Tags say what kind of post it is; the title says what it is about. Put the app, the relay software, or the NIP number in the title, for example Amethyst: notes from a friend never load or NIP-29: unmanaged groups.
Write so others can read you
Give your thread a descriptive title and take a moment to organize your thoughts. Break long posts into paragraphs, quote only the part you are replying to, and avoid writing in all capitals: it reads as shouting. Before asking a question, search to see whether it has already been answered.
Add value
Aim to contribute something: an answer, a perspective, a useful link, or a thoughtful question. Avoid one-word replies, duplicate posts, and +1 comments that add noise. If you simply appreciate a post, a reaction is enough; there is no need to bump a thread without new content.
Respect privacy and ownership
Do not share other people's private information, and do not repost private messages without permission. When you quote or build on someone else's work, credit them. Spam, advertising, and self-promotion that ignores the conversation are not welcome.
Assume good faith
Tone is hard to read online. Assume the person you are replying to means well, ask for clarification before accusing, and be willing to admit when you were wrong. A short, honest my mistake defuses more arguments than any long rebuttal.
Welcome newcomers
Everyone was new once. If a newcomer phrases a question awkwardly or misses an existing thread, point them in the right direction kindly instead of mocking them. The way regulars treat beginners sets the tone for the whole community, and patient answers are remembered long after the question is forgotten.
A note on language
This is an international community, and many members are not writing in their first language. Be patient with grammar and spelling, and prefer plain wording over heavy slang, sarcasm, or inside jokes that are easy to misread. When tone matters, a short clarifying line or a reaction can prevent a misunderstanding before it starts.
When things go wrong
If you see a post that breaks these guidelines, report it to the moderators instead of starting a public fight. Moderators are volunteers keeping the community healthy: follow their guidance, and reach out privately if you disagree with a decision.
By taking part in this forum, you agree to follow this etiquette. Thanks for helping keep the community welcoming for everyone.