Request a Badge
See a badge you want? Send a request to the issuer. You can include a message explaining why you qualify and attach proof to back it up.
How Requesting Works
Instead of waiting for someone to award you a badge, you can take the initiative. Browse badges on the Surf tab, find one you'd like, and send a request to the person who created it.
Find a Badge
Browse badges in Surf and click one to see its details.
Click Request Badge
Open the request form from the badge detail panel.
Add a Message
Tell the issuer why you deserve this badge (optional).
Send Request
Submit your request. The issuer can then award or deny it.
You need to be logged in to request a badge. The button won't appear if you're not signed in or if you already hold the badge.
The Request Form
When you click Request Badge, a form opens with:
Message to Issuer
An optional text field (up to 500 characters) where you can explain why you qualify. For example:
- "I attended the Berlin meetup on March 15th"
- "I completed the course and here's my certificate"
- "I've been a community member since day one"
Proof Events
You can attach Nostr events as evidence to support your request. Two types are supported:
| Proof Type | What It Is | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Note | A Nostr post (kind 1) | Link to a post about your participation |
| Zap | A zap receipt (kind 9735) | Proof of a financial contribution |
Add the event ID for each proof. You can attach multiple proofs and remove them before sending.
Tracking Your Requests
After sending, your request appears in the Requests tab under Sent. Each request shows one of these statuses:
Pending
Waiting for the issuer to review your request.
Awarded
The issuer granted the badge. Check your inbox.
Denied
The issuer declined. You can see their reason if they provided one.
Withdrawn
You cancelled the request before it was reviewed.
Withdrawing a Request
Changed your mind? You can withdraw any Pending request. Once withdrawn, the issuer won't see it anymore.
After a Denial
Denials are soft — you can submit a new request for the same badge later. If the issuer included a reason, read it and address their feedback in your next attempt.
For Issuers: Handling Requests
If someone requests a badge you created, you'll see it in the Requests tab under Incoming. A count badge in the navigation shows how many pending requests are waiting.
For each incoming request, you can:
- Award — grant the badge immediately
- Deny — decline with an optional reason (up to 500 characters)
Denying a request doesn't permanently block the requester. They can submit again later. You can also revoke a denial if you change your mind.