BitcoinZ Light CLI - Command Line Wallet | BitcoinZ

What is BitcoinZ Light CLI?

BitcoinZ Light CLI is a professional-grade command-line wallet specifically designed for developers, system administrators, and advanced users who prefer terminal-based interfaces. This wallet bridges the gap between user-friendly graphical wallets and complex full-node setups, offering the perfect solution for technical users who need powerful functionality without the overhead.

Why Use a Command Line Wallet?

For Developers & Technical Users:

Automation & Scripting: Integrate BitcoinZ transactions into scripts, applications, and automated systems
Server Environments: Perfect for headless servers and remote systems without graphical interfaces
Development & Testing: Essential tool for BitcoinZ application developers and blockchain researchers
System Integration: Easily integrate with existing command-line workflows and DevOps pipelines

For Privacy-Conscious Users:

Minimal Attack Surface: No graphical interface means fewer potential security vulnerabilities
Resource Efficiency: Uses minimal system resources compared to GUI wallets
Professional Control: Direct access to all wallet functions without simplified interfaces
Advanced Features: Access to features that may not be available in simplified GUI wallets

For System Administrators:

Remote Management: Manage BitcoinZ wallets on remote servers via SSH
Batch Operations: Process multiple transactions efficiently
Monitoring & Logging: Easy integration with system monitoring and logging tools
Enterprise Deployment: Deploy across multiple systems with consistent behavior

Built with Enterprise-Grade Technology

This wallet represents a significant technical achievement, built with Rust programming language for maximum memory safety, performance, and reliability. It implements the complete BitcoinZ protocol while maintaining the lightweight characteristics that make it practical for everyday use.

Lightning-Fast Synchronization

Unlike traditional full node wallets that require downloading the entire blockchain (50GB+), BitcoinZ Light CLI uses the lightwalletd protocol to synchronize in minutes instead of days, requiring less than 100MB of storage space.

Complete Privacy Support

Full Shielded Transaction Support:

Transparent → Transparent (t→t): ✅ Standard transactions
Transparent → Shielded (t→z): ✅ Shield funds with memo support
Shielded → Shielded (z→z): ✅ Private z-to-z transfers with encrypted memos
Shielded → Transparent (z→t): ✅ Unshield funds to transparent addresses

Advanced Features

HD Wallet: Hierarchical deterministic wallet with 24-word seed phrase backup
Memo Encryption: Send encrypted messages with shielded transactions
Message Encryption: Encrypt/decrypt messages for z-addresses
Custom Servers: Connect to any compatible lightwalletd server
Transaction History: Complete transaction tracking and management
Address Management: Generate unlimited t-addresses and z-addresses

Security Architecture

Bulletproof Security:

Private keys never leave your device
Local transaction signing
Secure seed phrase generation
No server-side key storage
MIT licensed open-source code

Installation

Currently Available: Build from Source Only

Important Note: This wallet is currently available as source code only. Pre-built binaries are planned for future releases. Building from source ensures you have the latest features and security updates while maintaining complete transparency of the code.

Prerequisites for Building:

Rust 1.70 or later (install from rustup.rs)
Git version control system
CMake build system
Protobuf compiler (protoc)
Basic command line experience

Step-by-Step Build Instructions

# 1. Clone the official repository
git clone https://github.com/z-bitcoinz/BitcoinZ-Light-CLI
cd BitcoinZ-Light-CLI

# 2. Build the wallet (this may take several minutes)
cargo build --release

# 3. Run the wallet
./target/release/bitcoinz-light-cli

Future Availability

Pre-built binaries for Windows, macOS, and Linux are planned for future releases to make installation easier for users who prefer not to build from source.

Basic Usage

Starting the Wallet

# Connect to default server
./bitcoinz-light-cli

# Connect to custom server
./bitcoinz-light-cli --server http://your-server:9067

# Restore from seed phrase
./bitcoinz-light-cli --seed "your 24 word seed phrase" --birthday 328500

Essential Commands

Wallet Management:

help - Show all available commands
addresses - List all wallet addresses
balance - Show current balance
new z - Generate new z-address
new t - Generate new t-address

Transactions:

send <address> <amount> "memo" - Send transaction with optional memo
list - Show transaction history

Privacy Features:

encryptmessage <z_address> "message" - Encrypt message for z-address
decryptmessage <encrypted_base64> - Decrypt received message

Example Usage

# Check your balance
balance

# Send 1 BTCZ (100,000,000 zatoshis) with memo
send zs1k3wanq50ae50lgujv9jkh0p2lq5wn99u8l0j5d4q8tmssv9krrpzcry4xs3jtsceg38qz9ctpnn 100000000 "Hello BitcoinZ!"

# Encrypt a private message
encryptmessage zs1k3wanq50ae50lgujv9jkh0p2lq5wn99u8l0j5d4q8tmssv9krrpzcry4xs3jtsceg38qz9ctpnn "Private message"

Technical Specifications

Built with Enterprise-Grade Technology:

Language: Rust for memory safety and performance
Protocol: lightwalletd for fast synchronization
Cryptography: zcash_primitives for shielded transactions
Network: BitcoinZ mainnet with correct parameters
Storage: Local encrypted wallet file

Data Storage Locations:

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/BitcoinZ/
Linux: ~/.bitcoinz/
Windows: %APPDATA%\BitcoinZ\

Who Should Use This Wallet

Perfect For:

Developers & Programmers: Building BitcoinZ applications, smart contracts, or blockchain integrations
System Administrators: Managing BitcoinZ on servers, automated systems, or enterprise environments
Advanced Users: Those comfortable with terminal interfaces and command-line tools
Privacy Enthusiasts: Users who want maximum control over their wallet without GUI overhead
Technical Professionals: DevOps engineers, blockchain researchers, and cryptocurrency professionals
Automation Needs: Users requiring scriptable wallet operations for business or personal use

NOT Recommended For:

Cryptocurrency Beginners: If you’re new to Bitcoin or cryptocurrency, start with a user-friendly GUI wallet
Casual Users: Those who prefer point-and-click interfaces and visual feedback
Non-Technical Users: If terms like “command line,” “terminal,” or “build from source” are unfamiliar
Mobile-First Users: This wallet requires a desktop/laptop computer with development tools
Quick Setup Needs: Building from source requires time and technical setup

Alternative Recommendations:

If this wallet seems too technical, consider these user-friendly alternatives:

BitcoinZ Blue: Official GUI wallet with instant sync and privacy features
Coinomi: Mobile wallet with simple interface
ZelCore: Multi-platform wallet with user-friendly design

Security Best Practices

Backup Your Seed Phrase: Write down and securely store your 24-word seed phrase
Verify Downloads: Always download from the official GitHub repository
Keep Software Updated: Regularly update to the latest version
Secure Your Environment: Use the wallet on secure, trusted systems
Test Small Amounts: Start with small transactions to familiarize yourself

Support & Development

Source Code: GitHub Repository
Issues: Report Issues
Community: BitcoinZ Discord
License: MIT License

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Command line experience
100MB available storage
Internet connection
Modern operating system (Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, Ubuntu 20.04+)

For Building from Source:

Rust 1.70 or later
Cargo package manager
CMake
Protobuf compiler (protoc)
Git

BitcoinZ Light CLI represents the perfect balance of lightweight efficiency and professional-grade functionality, making it the ideal choice for advanced users who demand both performance and privacy.

BitcoinZ Light CLI - Command Line Wallet