> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Bitcoin Core documentation

> The reference implementation of the Bitcoin protocol - download, validate blocks, and participate in the peer-to-peer network

Bitcoin Core connects to the Bitcoin peer-to-peer network to download and fully validate blocks and transactions. It also includes a wallet and graphical user interface, which can be optionally built.

## Get started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Get Bitcoin Core running in minutes with basic commands
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Detailed installation instructions for all platforms
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Core features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Full node validation" icon="check-circle">
    Download and fully validate the entire Bitcoin blockchain, ensuring all transactions follow consensus rules
  </Card>

  <Card title="Wallet functionality" icon="wallet">
    Built-in wallet with support for multiple wallets, PSBT, multisig, and offline signing
  </Card>

  <Card title="JSON-RPC interface" icon="terminal">
    Comprehensive RPC API for programmatic control of Bitcoin Core operations
  </Card>

  <Card title="GUI and headless modes" icon="window">
    Run with bitcoin-qt graphical interface or bitcoind headless daemon
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Important considerations

<Note>
  Bitcoin Core downloads and stores the entire history of Bitcoin transactions, which requires **several hundred gigabytes or more** of disk space. Depending on your computer and network connection, the synchronization process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days or more.
</Note>

<Warning>
  This is security-critical software. Any mistake might cost people money. Always verify downloads and follow security best practices.
</Warning>

## Key interfaces

### Command-line tools

Bitcoin Core provides several command-line interfaces:

* **`bitcoin-qt`** - GUI application with visual interface
* **`bitcoind`** - Headless daemon for server deployments
* **`bitcoin-cli`** - RPC client for interacting with bitcoind
* **`bitcoin-tx`** - Transaction creation and manipulation utility
* **`bitcoin-wallet`** - Wallet management utility for offline operations
* **`bitcoin-util`** - General utility commands
* **`bitcoin-chainstate`** - Standalone UTXO database validation tool
* **`bitcoin`** - Wrapper command supporting subcommands like `bitcoin gui`, `bitcoin node`, and `bitcoin rpc`

### Network support

Bitcoin Core supports multiple networks:

* **Mainnet** - The production Bitcoin network
* **Testnet3/Testnet4** - Test networks for development
* **Signet** - Signed test network with controlled block generation
* **Regtest** - Regression test mode for local testing

## Getting help

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Bitcoin Wiki" icon="book" href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Main_Page">
    Comprehensive Bitcoin documentation and guides
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bitcoin StackExchange" icon="stack-overflow" href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com">
    Ask technical questions and get answers from the community
  </Card>

  <Card title="IRC Chat" icon="message" href="https://web.libera.chat/#bitcoin">
    Real-time chat on #bitcoin at Libera Chat
  </Card>

  <Card title="BitcoinTalk Forums" icon="comments" href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=4.0">
    Technical support board for Bitcoin Core
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## License

Bitcoin Core is released under the terms of the MIT license. See [opensource.org/license/MIT](https://opensource.org/license/MIT) for more information.