280 lines
7.6 KiB
Markdown
280 lines
7.6 KiB
Markdown
# Payment Guide with Alby
|
|
|
|
This guide explains how to make a zap to unlock publications with Alby and the Lightning Network protocol.
|
|
|
|
> **Important**: Only zaps are allowed to unlock publications. Standard Lightning payments do not work.
|
|
|
|
## What is Alby?
|
|
|
|
[Alby](https://getalby.com/) is a browser extension that allows you to manage Lightning Network zaps directly from your browser. Alby uses the WebLN standard to interact with web applications.
|
|
|
|
## Installing Alby
|
|
|
|
### 1. Download Alby
|
|
|
|
1. Visit [getalby.com](https://getalby.com/)
|
|
2. Click **"Get Alby"** or **"Install Extension"**
|
|
3. Choose your browser:
|
|
- Chrome / Edge
|
|
- Firefox
|
|
- Brave
|
|
- Safari (via App Store)
|
|
|
|
### 2. Install the Extension
|
|
|
|
1. Follow the installation instructions for your browser
|
|
2. The Alby extension will appear in your browser toolbar
|
|
3. Click the Alby icon to start configuration
|
|
|
|
### 3. Configure Alby
|
|
|
|
#### Option A: Create a New Alby Account
|
|
|
|
1. Click the Alby icon in your browser
|
|
2. Click **"Create Account"** or **"Sign Up"**
|
|
3. Follow the instructions to create an account
|
|
4. Add funds to your Alby wallet:
|
|
- By credit card
|
|
- By bank transfer
|
|
- By Lightning Network (from another wallet)
|
|
|
|
#### Option B: Connect an Existing Lightning Wallet
|
|
|
|
1. Click the Alby icon
|
|
2. Choose **"Connect Wallet"** or **"Link Existing Wallet"**
|
|
3. Follow the instructions to connect your Lightning wallet (LND, CLN, etc.)
|
|
|
|
### 4. Verify Installation
|
|
|
|
1. Return to zapwall.fr
|
|
2. If Alby is correctly installed, you will see a confirmation message
|
|
3. If Alby is not installed, a message will invite you to install it
|
|
|
|
## Making a Zap for a Publication
|
|
|
|
### Step-by-Step Process
|
|
|
|
#### 1. Choose a Publication
|
|
|
|
1. Browse the publication list on the home page
|
|
2. Read the free preview
|
|
3. If you want to read the full content, click **"Unlock"**
|
|
|
|
#### 2. Zap Window
|
|
|
|
A modal window opens with:
|
|
- **Zap amount**: 800 sats (fixed amount)
|
|
- **Lightning QR Code**: To scan with a mobile wallet
|
|
- **Lightning Invoice**: The Lightning invoice (BOLT11)
|
|
- **Expiration timer**: Time remaining before expiration (24h)
|
|
- **"Pay with Alby" button**: To pay directly with Alby
|
|
|
|
#### 3. Zap Methods
|
|
|
|
You have **3 options** to make the zap:
|
|
|
|
> **Important**: Only zaps are allowed to unlock publications. Standard Lightning payments do not work.
|
|
|
|
##### Option 1: Zap with Alby (Recommended)
|
|
|
|
1. Click **"Pay with Alby"**
|
|
2. An Alby window opens automatically
|
|
3. Verify the zap details:
|
|
- Amount (800 sats)
|
|
- Description
|
|
- Recipient
|
|
4. Click **"Confirm"** or **"Pay"** in Alby
|
|
5. The zap is made instantly
|
|
6. The window closes automatically
|
|
7. Full content displays after a few seconds
|
|
|
|
##### Option 2: Scan the QR Code
|
|
|
|
1. Open your mobile Lightning wallet (BlueWallet, Breez, etc.)
|
|
2. Use your wallet's "Scan" function
|
|
3. Scan the QR code displayed in the window
|
|
4. Confirm the zap in your mobile wallet
|
|
5. Content automatically unlocks after confirmation
|
|
|
|
##### Option 3: Copy the Invoice
|
|
|
|
1. Click **"Copy Invoice"** to copy the Lightning invoice
|
|
2. Paste the invoice into your Lightning wallet (any)
|
|
3. Make the zap
|
|
4. Content automatically unlocks after confirmation
|
|
|
|
### 4. Zap Confirmation
|
|
|
|
After the zap:
|
|
1. **Automatic verification**: The application verifies the zap via Nostr zap receipts (NIP-57)
|
|
2. **Delay**: Verification may take a few seconds (usually 5-30 seconds)
|
|
3. **Content display**: Once verified, full content automatically displays
|
|
4. **Local storage**: Content is stored locally in your browser (IndexedDB)
|
|
|
|
## Invoice Expiration
|
|
|
|
### Validity Period
|
|
|
|
- Invoices expire after **24 hours**
|
|
- A timer displays the remaining time in the zap window
|
|
- If the invoice expires, it becomes invalid
|
|
|
|
### What to Do If the Invoice Expires?
|
|
|
|
1. **Close the zap window**
|
|
2. **Click "Unlock" again**
|
|
3. **A new invoice will be generated** automatically
|
|
4. **Make the zap with the new invoice**
|
|
|
|
> **Note**: Never make a zap with an expired invoice, the zap will fail.
|
|
|
|
## Commissions and Amounts
|
|
|
|
### Publication Amount
|
|
|
|
- **Total amount**: 800 sats
|
|
- **To author**: 700 sats
|
|
- **Platform commission**: 100 sats
|
|
- **Transaction fees**: Paid by the author
|
|
|
|
### Sponsoring Amount
|
|
|
|
- **Total amount**: 0.046 BTC
|
|
- **To author**: 0.042 BTC
|
|
- **Platform commission**: 0.004 BTC
|
|
- **Transaction fees**: Paid by the author
|
|
|
|
### Review Thank Amount
|
|
|
|
- **Total amount**: 70 sats
|
|
- **To reviewer**: 49 sats
|
|
- **Platform commission**: 21 sats
|
|
- **Transaction fees**: Paid by the author
|
|
|
|
## Troubleshooting
|
|
|
|
### Alby Does Not Open
|
|
|
|
**Solutions**:
|
|
- Check that Alby is installed
|
|
- Refresh the page
|
|
- Check that the Alby extension is enabled in your browser
|
|
- Try clicking "Pay with Alby" again
|
|
|
|
### Zap Fails
|
|
|
|
**Check**:
|
|
- ✅ That you have sufficient funds in Alby
|
|
- ✅ That the invoice has not expired
|
|
- ✅ Your internet connection
|
|
- ✅ Error logs in the browser console
|
|
- ✅ That you are making a zap (not a standard Lightning payment)
|
|
|
|
**Solutions**:
|
|
- Add funds to your Alby wallet
|
|
- Generate a new invoice (close and reopen the window)
|
|
- Try the zap again
|
|
- Make sure you are making a zap via Nostr, not a standard Lightning payment
|
|
|
|
### Content Does Not Unlock After Zap
|
|
|
|
**Check**:
|
|
- ✅ That the zap was actually made (check in Alby)
|
|
- ✅ Wait a few seconds (verification may take time)
|
|
- ✅ Refresh the page
|
|
- ✅ That the zap was verified via Nostr zap receipts
|
|
|
|
**Solutions**:
|
|
- Wait 30-60 seconds for verification
|
|
- Refresh the page
|
|
- Check your notifications (badge in the top right)
|
|
- Contact the publication author if the problem persists
|
|
|
|
### I Don't Have Enough Funds
|
|
|
|
**Solutions**:
|
|
- Add funds to your Alby wallet:
|
|
- By credit card
|
|
- By bank transfer
|
|
- By Lightning Network (from another wallet)
|
|
- Wait for funds to be available
|
|
- Try the zap again
|
|
|
|
### Invoice Has Expired
|
|
|
|
**Solutions**:
|
|
- Close the zap window
|
|
- Click "Unlock" again
|
|
- A new invoice will be generated
|
|
- Make the zap with the new invoice
|
|
|
|
## Security
|
|
|
|
### Are Zaps Secure?
|
|
|
|
Yes, Lightning Network zaps are:
|
|
- ✅ **Decentralized**: No central server
|
|
- ✅ **Fast**: Confirmations in a few seconds
|
|
- ✅ **Low cost**: Minimal fees
|
|
- ✅ **Verifiable**: Verified via Nostr zap receipts (NIP-57)
|
|
- ✅ **Only authorized method**: Only zaps work to unlock publications
|
|
|
|
### Is My Information Shared?
|
|
|
|
- ✅ **No**: Lightning zaps are private
|
|
- ✅ Only the amount and recipient are visible on the Lightning blockchain
|
|
- ✅ Your Nostr identity is linked to zaps via zap receipts (NIP-57)
|
|
|
|
### Can I Get a Refund?
|
|
|
|
Lightning zaps are generally **irreversible**. If you have a problem:
|
|
1. Check that the zap was actually made
|
|
2. Contact the publication author
|
|
3. Check that content did not unlock (wait a few seconds)
|
|
|
|
## Alternatives to Alby
|
|
|
|
### Other WebLN Wallets
|
|
|
|
If you prefer not to use Alby, you can use other WebLN-compatible Lightning wallets:
|
|
- **Breez** (if WebLN support)
|
|
- **Zeus** (if WebLN support)
|
|
- Other compatible wallets
|
|
|
|
### Mobile Wallets
|
|
|
|
You can also use a mobile Lightning wallet:
|
|
1. Scan the QR code with your mobile wallet
|
|
2. Confirm the zap
|
|
3. Content automatically unlocks
|
|
|
|
**Popular mobile wallets**:
|
|
- BlueWallet
|
|
- Breez
|
|
- Zeus
|
|
- Wallet of Satoshi
|
|
|
|
## Tips
|
|
|
|
### Managing Your Funds
|
|
|
|
- Keep sufficient funds in Alby for multiple publications
|
|
- Add funds regularly to avoid interruptions
|
|
- Monitor your balance in the Alby extension
|
|
|
|
### Multiple Zaps
|
|
|
|
- You can make zaps for multiple publications in succession
|
|
- Each zap is independent
|
|
- Each publication's content is stored separately
|
|
|
|
### Unlocked Content
|
|
|
|
- Unlocked content is stored locally in your browser
|
|
- It remains accessible even after disconnection
|
|
- If you clear the cache, content may be lost (you may need to pay again)
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
**Last updated**: December 2024
|