story-research-zapwall/docs/en/payment-guide.md

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 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
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)

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Last updated: December 2024