bitcoind
Bitcoin Core full node daemon
TLDR
SYNOPSIS
bitcoind [options]
DESCRIPTION
bitcoind is the Bitcoin Core daemon. It maintains a full copy of the Bitcoin blockchain, validates transactions and blocks, and can serve as a wallet. The daemon provides RPC and REST interfaces for interaction.Running a full node contributes to Bitcoin network decentralization and allows trustless validation of transactions.
PARAMETERS
-daemon
Run as background daemon-conf=file
Configuration file path-datadir=dir
Data directory-chain=chain
Select chain: main, testnet4, signet, regtest (default: main)-testnet4
Use testnet4 network-signet
Use signet network-regtest
Regression test mode-prune=n
Enable pruning (keep only N MB)-txindex
Maintain full transaction index-rpcuser=user
RPC username-rpcpassword=pass
RPC password-rpcport=port
RPC port-server
Accept command line and JSON-RPC commands-blocksonly
Reduce bandwidth by not relaying transactions
CONFIGURATION
~/.bitcoin/bitcoin.conf
Main configuration file for daemon mode, RPC credentials, network selection, pruning, and indexing options.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
- Disk: ~600 GB+ (full blockchain)- RAM: 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended- Network: Unlimited or high cap- Bandwidth: ~20 GB/month upload
FEATURES
- Full blockchain validation- Wallet functionality- Mining support (via external miners)- RPC/REST APIs- Pruning mode (reduced storage)- Testnet/regtest support- ZMQ notifications
WORKFLOW
bitcoind -daemon
# Check status
bitcoin-cli getblockchaininfo
# Wait for sync (can take days)
bitcoin-cli getblockcount
# Stop daemon
bitcoin-cli stop
CAVEATS
Initial sync takes days/weeks. Large disk space required (unless pruned). High bandwidth usage. Keep wallet backups secure. RPC should not be exposed to internet. The -testnet flag (testnet3) was deprecated in v28 and removed in v30; use -testnet4 or -signet instead.
HISTORY
bitcoind was created by Satoshi Nakamoto as part of the original Bitcoin software in 2009, serving as the reference implementation of the Bitcoin protocol.
SEE ALSO
bitcoin-cli(1), bitcoin-qt(1)