Learning Bitcoin from the Command Line 3.0

by Christopher Allen and Shannon Appelcline

A Blockchain Commons Course

This work is currently in process, but the files linked here have been revised and are in a fairly complete state.

Part One: Preparing for Bitcoin

• 1.0: Introduction to Programming with Bitcoin Core and Lightning
  • Interlude: Introducing Bitcoin
• 2.0: Setting Up a Bitcoin-Core VPS
  • 2.1: Setting Up a Bitcoin-Core VPS with Bitcoin Standup
  • 2.2: Setting Up a Bitcoin-Core Machine via Other Means

Part Two: Sending Transactions

• 3.0: Preparing Your Bitcoin Wallet
  • 3.1: Verifying Your Bitcoin Setup
  • 3.2: Knowing Your Bitcoin Setup
  • 3.3: Setting Up Your Wallet
  • 3.4: Understanding the Descriptor Wallet
• 4.0: Preparing Your Bitcoin Addresses
  • 4.1: Understanding the Address
  • 4.2: Integrating Addresses and Descriptors
  • 4.3: Creating QR Codes for Addresses
  • 4.4: Receiving a Transaction
    • Interlude: Using Command-Line Variables
• 5.0: Sending Bitcoin Transactions
  • 5.1: Sending Coins the Easy Way
  • 5.2: Creating a Raw Transaction
    • Interlude: Using JQ
  • 5.3: Creating a Raw Transaction with Named Arguments
  • 5.4: Sending Coins with Raw Transactions
    • Interlude: Using Curl
  • 5.5: Sending Coins with Automated Raw Transactions
  • 5.6: Sending Other Types of Transactions
• 6.0: Controlling Bitcoin Transactions
  • 6.1 Watching for Stuck Transactions
  • 6.2: Resending a Transaction with RBF
  • 6.3: Funding a Transaction with CPFP

Part Three: Expanding Bitcoin

• 7.0: Expanding Bitcoin Transactions with Multisigs
  • 7.1: Creating a Multisig with Public Keys
  • 7.2: Creating a Multisig with Descriptors
  • 7.3: Spending a Transaction with a Multisig
• 8.0: Expanding Bitcoin Transactions with PSBTs
  • 8.1: Spending a Multisig with a PSBT
  • 8.2: Understanding the PSBT
  • 8.3: Using a Partially Signed Bitcoin Transaction
  • 8.4: Creating Animated QR Codes
• 9.0: Expanding Bitcoin Transactions in Other Ways
  • 9.1: Sending a Transaction with a Locktime
  • 9.2: Sending a Transaction with Data

Part Four: Exploring the Ecosystem

• 10.0: Working with Secrets
  • 10.1: Creating Secrets from the Command Line
  • 10.2: Converting Secrets with Keytool
  • 10.3: Importing Secrets to Bitcoin Core
  • 10.4: Exporting Secrets from Bitcoin Core
  • 10.5: Storing Secrets with Envelope

Part Five: Scripting with Bitcoin

• 11.0: Introducing Bitcoin Scripts
  • 11.1: Understanding the Foundation of Transactions
  • 11.2: Running a Bitcoin Script
  • 11.3: Testing a Bitcoin Script
  • 11.4: Scripting a P2PKH
  • 11.5: Scripting a P2WPKH
• 12.0: Embedding Bitcoin Scripts in P2SH & P2SH Transactions
  • 12.1: Understanding the Foundation of P2SH & P2WSH
  • 12.2: Building the Structure of P2SH & P2WSH
  • 12.3: Running a Bitcoin Script with P2SH or P2WSH
  • 12.4: Scripting a Multisig
  • 12.5: Spending a P2SH or P2WSH Transaction
• 13.0: Empowering Timelock with Bitcoin Scripts
  • 13.1: Understanding Timelock Options
  • 13.2: Using CLTV in Scripts
  • 13.3: Using CSV in Scripts
• 14.0: Expanding Bitcoin Scripts
  • 14.1: Using Script Conditionals
  • 14.2: Using Other Script Commands
• 15.0: Designing Real Bitcoin Scripts
  • 15.1: Writing Puzzles Scripts
  • 15.2: Writing Complex Multisig Scripts
  • 15.3: Empowering Bitcoin with Scripts
• 16.0: Using Miniscript
  • 16.1: Understanding Miniscript
  • 16.2: Converting Miniscript
  • [16.3: Using Miniscript with Descriptors] (pending)
  • [16.4: Using Bitcoin Dev Kit (BDK)] (pending)

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Learning Bitcoin v1.0 was created in part under the sponsorship of Blockstream. Learning Bitcoin v2.0 was self-funded by Blockchain Commons. Learning Bitcoin v3.0 was funded by a grant from HRF.

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