I’ve been testing a setup for daily use and to get startet with LN wallets for my family and friends.

When talking about ln wallets and how to get some sats my biggest problem was that I end up explaining about running a node, channels, recovery-backups and self-custody and got all technical. I also realized I do not know what I was talking about. I tried to run a node, I’ve used Algy-hub and was able to open a channel. But Managing and haven a node 24/7 is another story. So I decided to start over. I shut down my node an try another way.

I know there are some ln wallet apps, zues is quite good but the part of self-custody was still a killing point.

I’ve read the DarthCoin guides. I now one can use pc with linux and only for bitcoin. But that is still some levels ahead of what I’m capable on my daily basis. Nevertheless his guides inspired the following set up. I try to follow the 3-level-wallets method (HODL - CHCHE - SPENDL) (see: https://darth-coin.github.io)

I wanted to have a setup where most of my relatives could start recieving sats and start using a password manager only for bitcoin.

I chose:

Apps/sevices:

• Tor-browser
• Alby-extension
• protonmail
• bitwarden
• keepassxc
• Rizful
• Alby-go
• Robosats
• Boltz exchange
• Stacker news (SN)
• TunnelSats

Setup

• I create 2 passwords using keepassXC (one for protonmail and one for bitwarden)
• I create an account in protonmail and use that email to create an anccount in bitwarden.
• I install the alby- and bitwarden-extension in tor browser.
• I create an account in Rizful (same email as protonmail). Save password in bitwarden.
• I create 1 vault and save the NWC - Code to configure alby-extension later.
• I configure the alby-extension and save the password in bitwarden.
• I connect the alby-extension to Rizful using the NWC codes.
• Now I have a ln wallet to recieve and send sats.

Testing

• I bookmark Robosats (and bought some sats) (Yes I had some sats before hand.)
• I bookmark Boltz and make a swap to a on-chain walllets (Cache -> Self-custody)
• I log in to Stacker news using the alby-extension (LN login)

Later testing

• tunnelSats –> pay for a VPN service to show how to pay online instantly (or zap a post in SN).
• Alby-go -> on phone to monitor or have a spending wallet (one vault from rizful, or be “Uncle jim” for your mom for example)

With this setup I find it easier to start using LN wallets on my regular computer. No need for node or sats. You just need to install some software and setup some accounts. You will use a password manager and only need 2 passwords to recover everything. Self-custoding 2 password seems not som much to ask to friend who wants to start using bitcoin. Also for merchant could be a start for receiving sats and pay only for premium if the need it.

I’m quite please with this setup. Most of the services are free to use. Also it gives a use case for a password manager. The advantages of a password manager is not as obvious as I thought.

Thanks that protonmail only requires a password you can make many accounts. the 500MB storage is enough if you only use it for this ln wallets. I’m sure there are other email services but protonmail is getting more popular that some friend already use it. Using Gmail or Microsoft is out question :).

I chose the tor browser mainly because of robosats and boltz and wanted to separate the bitcoin stuff form my my normal internet search.

I know tor promotes privacy, but realised that not every buddy needs that. Tor is to slow for normal internet and privacy is only as good as its user. I’m still learning, so I do not consider myself as privacy guru. I just try to use what have at hand.

I hope this experience is helpful to someone. Posting in SN was quite fun.