concepts
ContextVM Concepts
Core concepts, architectural decisions, and common questions about ContextVM.
What is ContextVM?
ContextVM is a protocol that liberates the Model Context Protocol (MCP) by running it over Nostr—a simple, open communication network built on cryptographic, censorship-resistant, and permissionless foundations.
Rather than relying on centralized infrastructure like domains, OAuth, or cloud hosting, ContextVM allows anyone to run or access services using only Nostr and an internet-connected device.
Key Insight: ContextVM operates at the transport layer, meaning existing MCP servers and clients can be used without code changes through the Gateway and Proxy tools.
Why Run MCP Over Nostr?
Running MCP over Nostr eliminates traditional infrastructure barriers:
More from contextvm/cvmi
overview
Understand ContextVM protocol fundamentals, architecture, and core concepts. Use when users need to learn about ContextVM basics, how it bridges MCP with Nostr, protocol design principles, event kinds, or the relationship between MCP and Nostr in decentralized communication.
32typescript-sdk
Use the @contextvm/sdk TypeScript SDK effectively. Reference for core interfaces, signers, relay handlers, transports, encryption, logging, and SDK patterns. Use when implementing SDK components, extending interfaces, configuring transports, or debugging SDK usage.
32server-dev
Build MCP servers that expose capabilities over the Nostr network using ContextVM. Use when creating new servers, converting existing MCP servers to ContextVM, configuring server transports, implementing access control, or setting up public server announcements.
31client-dev
Build MCP clients that connect to ContextVM servers over Nostr. Use when creating clients, discovering servers, connecting to remote servers, handling encrypted connections, or implementing the proxy pattern for existing MCP clients.
31payments
Implement CEP-8 payments in ContextVM using the @contextvm/sdk payments middleware. Use when building paid servers/clients, configuring priced capabilities, integrating payment processors/handlers, or troubleshooting payment notification flows.
24troubleshooting
Diagnose and resolve ContextVM connection issues, relay problems, encryption failures, authentication errors, and common deployment problems. Use when users report errors, connection failures, timeout issues, or unexpected behavior with ContextVM clients, servers, gateways, or proxies.
17