macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install core-lightninglocal Homebrew formula metadata
brew
Install core-lightning with Homebrew
Lightning Network implementation focusing on spec compliance and performance. Version 26.06.2 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-29.
install
Additional install commands
overview
Package summary
Lightning Network implementation focusing on spec compliance and performance
Project links
Commands and aliases
- lightning-cli
- lightning-hsmtool
- lightningd
- reckless
history
Project history and usage
Core Lightning is a C implementation of the Lightning Network protocol that focuses on specification compliance, performance, modularity, and node-operator control. It was formerly known as c-lightning and remains one of the main Lightning node implementations used by technically inclined Bitcoin operators.
Project history
The ElementsProject/lightning repository was created in 2015, during the early implementation period for the Lightning Network. The official README describes Core Lightning, previously c-lightning, as a lightweight, highly customizable, standard-compliant Lightning Network implementation.
The project reached production use on Bitcoin mainnet in early 2018 with the launch of Blockstream Store. Its documentation later standardized on the Core Lightning and CLN names while keeping the same implementation lineage.
Adoption history
Core Lightning adoption has been strongest among node operators, protocol developers, and businesses that want a scriptable daemon, JSON-RPC interface, plugin system, and close tracking of Lightning Network specifications. Its support for plugins and multiple API surfaces makes it especially common in custom node infrastructure.
How it is used
A normal installation runs lightningd alongside a synchronized bitcoind node, then controls it with lightning-cli, JSON-RPC, plugins, or newer API surfaces. Configuration is conventionally stored under ~/.lightning, with network-specific config directories, and the hsm_secret file is the critical wallet-secret material.
Why package nerds care
For package maintainers, Core Lightning is more than a CLI: it ships a daemon, client tools, helper tools, plugins, manpage-style docs, and sensitive runtime state expectations. Packaging has to respect platform support, Bitcoin Core integration, database choices, and key material locations.
Timeline
- 2015: ElementsProject/lightning repository created.
- 2018: c-lightning/Core Lightning in production use on Bitcoin mainnet with Blockstream Store.
- 2020s: Documentation and README use the Core Lightning and CLN names for the former c-lightning project.
- 2026: v26.06.x releases show continued active upstream maintenance.
Related projects
- Core Lightning is related to Bitcoin Core, the Lightning Network specifications, other Lightning implementations such as LND and Eclair, and CLN's plugin and RPC ecosystem.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: blue
broad file, network, media, or database tool signal.
Risk classifier
blue risk · medium confidence · tool
Why
- broad file, network, media, or database tool signal
Signals
- text:network
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
- Installs with 3 runtime dependencies.
- Build metadata lists 11 build dependencies.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
local files
Configuration and credential file locations
These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.
Configuration files
Config paths the tool may read or write during local use.
- Unix
~/.lightning/config~/.lightning/bitcoin/config
Credential files
Credential-bearing paths to review before unattended agent runs.
- Unix
$LIGHTNINGDIR/hsm_secret
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
lightning-cli | cli | global executable | |
lightning-hsmtool | cli | global executable | |
lightningd | cli | global executable | |
reckless | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-07-08
manager version26.06.2
manager updated2026-06-29
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning
- infoNo cached GitHub release or tag data was available.https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightningnone confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:core-lightning |
|---|---|
| Version | 26.06.2 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/core-lightning |
| Homepage | https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning |
| Repository | https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning |
| Upstream docs | https://docs.corelightning.org/docs/home |
| License | MIT |
| Source archive | https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/download/v26.06.2/clightning-v26.06.2.zip |
| Last updated | 2026-06-29T07:58:06Z |
| Pulse | updated |
| Dependencies | bitcoin, libsodium, sqlite |
| Build dependencies | autoconf, automake, gettext, gnu-sed, libtool, lowdown, pkgconf, protobuf, python@3.14, rust, uv |
| Uses from macOS | python |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | core-lightning |
| Aliases |
|
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Head Version | HEAD |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated configuration and credential file locations
- curated package history
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment