SAND: The Stack for the Decentralized Web
LAMP built the open web. SAND builds the decentralized one.
In the 2000s, LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) gave developers a complete stack for building open source web applications. It was simple, modular, and changed everything.
SAND is the stack for the next era: Solid, ActivityPub, Nostr, DID. Four protocols that work together to create a web where users own their data and agents serve their interests.
The Stack
| Layer | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| S | Solid | Decoupled data & apps. Store in pods you control. |
| A | ActivityPub | Federated social. Follow anyone, post anywhere. |
| N | Nostr | Censorship-resistant messaging. Cryptographic identity. |
| D | DID | Decentralized identity. Self-sovereign, portable. |
Why SAND?
The current web has a problem: your data is scattered across hundreds of silos, each controlled by a different corporation. Your identity is fragmented. Your social graph is locked in.
SAND fixes this:
- Your data in one place — Solid pods store your data, apps request access
- Federated social — ActivityPub lets you follow anyone across servers
- Censorship-resistant — Nostr can't be shut down or controlled
- Portable identity — DIDs work everywhere, no vendor lock-in
Quick Start
Get a complete SAND server running locally:
npx sandymount
This gives you:
- A Solid pod for your data
- Nostr relay integration
- Built-in identity provider
- Git HTTP backend
See the Getting Started Guide for more.
The Vision
We're building the open, agentic, decentralized web — where:
- Users own their data
- Agents serve their interests
- Protocols are open
- Networks are federated
- Identity is self-sovereign
Read the Manifesto to understand the philosophy behind SAND.