Files
bitcoin/doc
Lőrinc db74d3390a doc: clarify test placement guidance
The existing `CONTRIBUTING.md` rule requires tests to be updated in the same commit that changes behavior, but it does not explain how to handle existing behavior without coverage or refactors whose preserved behavior is not covered.

Add a `General Testing` section under the development guidelines explaining when to use automated tests or a manual testing guide and when behavior-preserving work is easy to validate without new tests.
The `Commit Structure for Tests` subsection distinguishes existing coverage, simple uncovered changes, non-trivial changes to uncovered behavior, and non-trivial refactors whose preserved behavior is not covered.
Add `TODO` comments next to characterization assertions that record incorrect or temporary behavior, then remove the comments when the behavior-changing commit updates the assertions.

Replace the blanket `CONTRIBUTING.md` rule with a link to the detailed guidance.

Co-authored-by: MarcoFalke <*~=`'#}+{/-|&$^_@721217.xyz>
Co-authored-by: optout <13562139+optout21@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: ryanofsky <ryan@ryandesktop.com>
Co-authored-by: sedited <seb.kung@gmail.com>
Co-authored-by: w0xlt <94266259+w0xlt@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Ava Chow <github@achow101.com>
Co-authored-by: Pablo Martin <pablomartin4btc@gmail.com>
2026-07-22 08:36:39 -07:00
..
2026-06-04 21:58:56 +10:00
2026-06-23 09:25:50 +01:00
2026-03-24 15:51:24 +01:00
2026-06-22 23:07:18 +02:00
2026-06-08 15:16:29 +02:00
2026-06-29 21:40:49 -04:00
2026-07-04 11:30:38 -04:00

Bitcoin Core

Setup

Bitcoin Core is the original Bitcoin client and it builds the backbone of the network. It downloads and, by default, stores the entire history of Bitcoin transactions, which requires several hundred gigabytes or more of disk space. Depending on the speed of your computer and network connection, the synchronization process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days or more.

To download Bitcoin Core, visit bitcoincore.org.

Running

The following are some helpful notes on how to run Bitcoin Core on your native platform.

Unix

Unpack the files into a directory and run:

  • bin/bitcoin-qt (GUI) or
  • bin/bitcoind (headless)
  • bin/bitcoin (wrapper command)

The bitcoin command supports subcommands like bitcoin gui, bitcoin node, and bitcoin rpc exposing different functionality. Subcommands can be listed with bitcoin help.

Windows

Unpack the files into a directory, and then run bitcoin-qt.exe.

macOS

Drag Bitcoin Core to your applications folder, and then run Bitcoin Core.

Need Help?

Building

The following are developer notes on how to build Bitcoin Core on your native platform. They are not complete guides, but include notes on the necessary libraries, compile flags, etc.

Development

The Bitcoin repo's root README contains relevant information on the development process and automated testing.

Resources

Miscellaneous

License

Distributed under the MIT software license.