Block Releases Buzz: Self-Hosted Nostr Workspace for Human and AI Agent Collaboration
Block open-sourced Buzz, a self-hostable workspace built on Nostr relays where human developers and AI agents share channels, review code, and trigger workflows as equal peers. Agents use dedicated cryptographic keypairs to execute shell commands, submit NIP-34 git patches, and manage project context.
Impact: High
Why it matters
You can give agents dedicated execution identity and shared room context without giving away unrestricted repository permissions or relying on fragmented chat bots.
TL;DR
- 01Self-host a Nostr workspace that unifies chat, CI, and agent execution in one audit log.
- 02Assign dedicated keypairs to AI agents instead of giving models full administrative token access.
- 03Integrate Claude Code, Codex, or Goose via buzz-cli using JSON-based tool calls.
Key facts
- Protocol
- Nostr (NIP-01, NIP-34, NIP-42)
- Backend Stack
- Rust, Postgres, Redis, MinIO
- Supported Agents
- Claude Code, Codex, Goose via buzz-cli
Unified Event Log for Agents and Humans
Buzz runs on a Nostr relay where every chat message, code review, git patch, and workflow step is recorded as a cryptographic event. Agents hold their own keypairs and channel memberships rather than acting as unauthenticated system hooks.
Agent Control via CLI
Agents interface with the workspace using buzz-cli, which exchanges structured JSON commands. The system supports harnesses like Goose, Codex, and Claude Code, allowing models to inspect six months of channel history, execute commands via Git Bash or standard shells, and post verified fixes directly into discussion threads.
Try it in 2 minutes
git clone https://github.com/block/buzz.git && cd buzz
. ./bin/activate-hermit
just setup
just devbash
✓ When to use
- When building agentic development workflows that require explicit cryptographic audit trails.
- When isolating autonomous coding agents inside distinct project channels with restricted permissions.
✕ When NOT to use
- If you only require simple single-turn model code completions inside an editor.
- If your team cannot host local Docker, Rust, and Postgres infrastructure.
What to do today
- Clone block/buzz repository and execute just setup to launch local Docker services.
- Configure BUZZ_PRIVATE_KEY for your local agent scripts.
- Test NIP-34 git patch workflows within an isolated project channel.
Sources