Developer Tools and SDKs
Libraries, APIs, frameworks, LNbits extensions, and Lightning app (LAPP) development resources for building on Lightning Network.
LNbits - Lightning Network Wallet and Extension Platform
LNbits is a free and open-source Lightning Network wallet and accounts system that allows users to create multiple wallets with individual API keys. It supports various funding sources including LND, c-lightning, and OpenNode, and offers a range of customizable extensions for payment processing, point-of-sale terminals, and no-custodial commerce. The platform is designed for both personal use and custodian solutions, emphasizing flexibility and developer accessibility.
Swap-Out Service - Building a Trustless Lightning Swap-Out Tool
A technical guide demonstrating how to build a reverse submarine swap service on the Lightning Network, enabling merchants to move funds from off-chain channels to on-chain addresses in a trustless manner. The service uses on-chain HTLCs and holds invoices to facilitate secure, atomic swaps between Lightning and on-chain Bitcoin without losing funds or requiring intermediaries.
Bleskomat - DIY Bitcoin Lightning Network ATM
A do-it-yourself (DIY) prototype of a Bitcoin Lightning Network ATM that accepts coins and pays out Bitcoin. Designed as an educational tool, it enables users to experience the Lightning Network in a hands-on, offline environment with hardware and open-source software.
Lightning Network - Lightning Specification 1.1 Proposal States
This page details the technical specifications and proposed changes for Lightning Network Protocol version 1.1, including protocol modifications, error handling, funding, routing, and gossip mechanisms. It serves as a reference for developers and researchers working on the Lightning Network standardization process.
lnchannels - Lightning Network Browser with History and Heuristics
A web-based browser for the Lightning Network that displays channel history and uses simple heuristics to analyze and visualize network activity. Built as an open-source tool to explore Lightning Network data, it does not accept payments or facilitate transactions but provides insight into network behavior and channel dynamics.
Building on Lightning - Developer Guides for Lightning Network Applications
A comprehensive tutorial series that walks developers through building applications that interact with the Lightning Network using Node.js and TypeScript. The guide covers node graph visualization, invoice creation, and advanced topics like spontaneous payments and channel rebalancing, all with real-time updates and code examples.
Building on Lightning - Developer Guides for Lightning Network Applications
A step-by-step tutorial for developers to build applications that interact with the Lightning Network using Node.js and TypeScript. The guide covers creating node graph visualizations and invoice-based applications, with a focus on practical code implementation and real-time updates.
Altangent Labs - Lightning Network Developer Tools and Open Source Projects
Altangent Labs provides open-source software tools for the Lightning Network, including explorers, visualizers, and client libraries. Their repositories support Bitcoin Lightning payments and offer developer resources for building on the Lightning Network ecosystem. The projects are publicly available and focused on technical infrastructure and developer tools.
Lightning Dev Forum - Dynamic Commitments for Lightning Network Protocol
A technical discussion on enhancing the Lightning Network protocol with dynamic commitment upgrades, enabling on-chain-free channel parameter changes and safer funding outputs. Focuses on protocol-level improvements for channel safety, flexibility, and future extensibility without requiring on-chain transactions.
lnd-tgrambot - Lightning Network Daemon Control via Telegram Bot
A simple Node.js script that allows users to control their Lightning Network Daemon (LND) via a Telegram bot. It uses LND's gRPC API to enable basic operations such as managing invoices, channels, and node status through a mobile-friendly interface. The tool is experimental and currently lacks full functionality, with security limited to Telegram user filtering and optional password authentication.
LND-GUI - A Browser-Based Interface for LND Lightning Network Daemon
LND-GUI is a simple browser-based frontend that provides a basic user interface to interact with the LND Lightning Network daemon via gRPC. It does not function as a wallet with full user experience but serves as a developer tool to visualize and manage LND commands through HTTP calls to a backend REST API. The project is open-source and designed for developers who want to explore or prototype Lightning Network interactions without building a full application from scratch.
Bitcoin.org - Development Resources and Open-Source Tools
Bitcoin.org provides comprehensive documentation, developer tools, and community resources for Bitcoin Core and related open-source projects. The site offers technical guides, code repositories, and active developer discussions, all under an open-source model with MIT licensing. It supports full-node software, libraries, and tools written in multiple programming languages, all maintained by a global community of developers.
Blockchain.com - Bitcoin Payment APIs
Blockchain.com offers a suite of developer APIs to build Bitcoin-powered applications. The service provides access to blockchain data, transaction feeds, and market rates via secure JSON endpoints. Key features include authentication, eligibility checks, and real-time block and transaction data streams. All services are built on the Bitcoin network and support on-chain Bitcoin payments.
libbitcoin - Bitcoin Cross-Platform C++ Development Toolkit
libbitcoin is a cross-platform C++ development toolkit designed for building Bitcoin applications. It provides a set of libraries that enable developers to create robust, portable Bitcoin-based software with support for core Bitcoin functionality and protocols.
BitcoinJ - Guide to Using the Bitcoin Library
A technical tutorial introducing how to use the BitcoinJ library for Bitcoin-related applications. This guide covers implementation in Java and JavaScript, with support for multiple JVM-based languages. It emphasizes the importance of understanding Bitcoin's protocol and warns against using the library for production applications due to the complexity and risk of losing funds.
bitcoinSwitch - Lightning Hardware Installer for LNbits
bitcoinSwitch is a hardware installer tool that enables users to connect an ESP32 device to their computer via USB and upload firmware and configuration for the LNbits hardware installer. It supports Lightning Network payments through LNbits and operates via a web-based interface with WebSerial, requiring no account or registration. The device uses a boot button and GPIO4 to initiate configuration after firmware upload.
Cliche - Lightning-Compatible Lite Node Daemon
Cliche is a lightweight, open-source Lightning Network node daemon that enables direct Lightning payments and invoice creation via CLI or WebSocket interfaces. It supports standard Lightning Network operations like creating invoices, receiving payments, and managing channels, making it ideal for developers and integrators building on top of the Lightning Network.
js-lnurl - Tools for Adding LNURL Support in JavaScript Wallets
A developer-focused library that enables JavaScript wallets to support LNURL protocols for lightning payments, withdrawals, and login flows. It provides utilities like parsing LNURLs, handling pay and withdraw requests, and decoding parameters, making it easier to integrate Lightning Network functionality into wallet interfaces.
BitcoinJ - Java Library for Bitcoin Protocol Development
BitcoinJ is an open-source Java library that enables developers to work with the Bitcoin protocol without needing a full node. It supports wallet management, transaction processing, and advanced features like simplified payment verification (SPV) and micropayment channels. The library is designed for developers building Bitcoin applications and includes comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and support for multiple programming languages.
LNbits Extension Builder - Lightning Network Development Tools
A tutorial and development tool that enables users to build Lightning Network extensions in under 30 minutes. Designed for developers, this resource provides hands-on guidance on creating LNbits-compatible extensions using open-source tools and the Lightning Network protocol.